Essex Business Advice

Invest Essex
Invest Essex

Essex businesses are more likely to succeed if they seek and act upon the advice of a professional business adviser. This page should point you in the right direction.

"You don't know, what you don't know" is a great saying and so applicable to starting a business. There are so many considerations in the early stages that taking advice from an experienced business adviser will dramatically increase your chances of success.

See list of local business support organisations below.

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Free Business Planning Resources

The following items are in our FREE start-up pack and can be download individually or as part of the whole pack.

How to Start a Business Step-by-Step
How to Start a Business Step-by-Step

An easy to read, step-by-step guide to setting up your own business. Each step is explained briefly and in plain English.

Download
Business Start-Up Checklist
Business Start-Up Checklist

"You don't know what you don't know!" Make sure that you don't miss anything by plotting your progress with this 125+ point checklist.

Download
Business Start-Up Map
Business Start-Up Map

This very popular infographic provides a colourful visual walk through the start-up process and used to occupy the centre pages of our Start-Up newspapers.

Download
Business Plan Template and Instructions
Business Plan Template and Instructions

One of the most important steps but is often ignored. This document will provide you with a clear road-map for your business.

Download
Start Your Own Business CD
Start Your Own Business CD

We have created a CD based upon the start-up map. You can now download and enjoy the whole of this unique interactive experience.

Download
How to Start a Business Powerpoint Presentation
How to Start a Business Powerpoint Presentation

Designed to compliment the business plan template, this presentation can be personalised and you are welcome to use it (free).

Download
Please note that one-time registration is required to unlock all of the free items on this site.

Latest Advice Articles

If you run your own business in Essex and would like to learn more about business planning and how business support organisations can help you, we have compiled a library of useful resources and frequently asked questions which we hope that you will find both interesting and useful.

Essex Business Advice

Useful Start-Up Resources

If you can help new business start ups or existing small businesses in the Essex area, we would love to promote you here free of charge. (Add Your Business)

Invest Essex
Invest Essex
Invest ESSEX is an investment promotion agency (IPA) and business support provider, now part of the ‘Let’s Do Business Group’ delivering services for Essex County Council across the Greater Essex area. Working with carefully selected business partners, Invest ESSEX offers a comprehensive support service for your business expansion in Essex. Our expert, in-house team benefits from experience supporting international and UK businesses of all sizes, operating across all industry sectors.
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South East LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
The South East LEP is a partnership of leaders - from the business community and from local authorities with their democratic mandates - and will perform a leadership role. This leadership role means acting as strong advocates for the area - working with Government to find solutions to enable delivery of strategic transport infrastructure that will drive national prosperity and economic growth. SELEP will be a strong voice on behalf of businesses and communities and work to ensure that Government and the European Union realise the national and international importance of the South East LEP area in the allocation of scare resources. Advocacy will be supported by project specific economic intelligence which will provide the evidence base for investment.
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BEST For Business Solutions
The BEST website hasa page dedicated to business start-up and those organisations who may be able to help.
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Colchester & Essex Business Agency
The Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) is a non-profit making organisation designed to help new businesses get off the ground and small entrepreneurs develop their ideas into successful ventures. Advice is completely free. The Agency is supported by the local councils in Colchester and Tendring, by funding from EEDA (the East of England Development Agency) and by the support of local businesses. Its sole aim is to see the economic prosperity of the region improve through new business development. Colbea offers free confidential business advice from accredited professionals, plus business training that will give you the skills you need to start your business on a firm footing.
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Essex Chambers of Commerce
Essex Chambers of Commerce is the home of business right across the county helping businesses from SME’s through to national and international companies to succeed. Business Support – whether it is by attending one of our networking events across the county, our business exhibitions, promoting your business through our electronic newsletters, HR support, online health and safety support, we can help support you and your business.
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Essex Chambers of Commerce
Essex Chambers of Commerce, the Countys leading business support organisation. Our aim, on behalf of our Members, is to remain the largest private sector provider of business support in Essex and to continue to provide excellent value and expertise.
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Essex County Council
Essex County Council operate a number of business programmes and work with partners to deliver expertise and consultation on a number of themes to new and established businesses including: Exporting, Developing innovative business ideas, Finding new premises, Finance and funding, Academic partnerships, Business relocation consulting.Essex County Council is committed to helping Essex-based businesses increase their competitive advantage by providing and working with partners on a range of business development activities from premises for early stage businesses to testing the market.
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Essex Employment and Skills Board
We are delivering a range of activities that are helping to create a skills system in Essex that works for businesses and provides residents with the training and careers information that they need.
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Essex Growth Programme
Aimed at pre-start up individuals and SMEs less than 36 months old, in all sectors and but with a focus on high value industries, who are looking to grow through capital investment. Advice and support through a qualified team of business advisors. Guidance in formulating business plans and financial forecasts. Grants of £1,000 – £10,000 (20% intervention rate) for capital assets such as equipment and machinery.
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Essex libraries
Libraries fit for the future and a fit with people’s lives. A vision of a library service available on-line 24-7 to fit with people’s lives in Essex is to be considered by the County Council. A great place to start your new business market research
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Essex Young Entrepreneurs Network
The Essex Young Entrepreneurs Network is a new programme of support for young adults seeking to start their own innovative business. We work in partnership with additional support agencies to ensure that you receive all the help you need to make a success of your idea. The network offers a straight forward route to finding training, advice and funding up to £5,000. To find out more or to apply just go to www.essex1630.co.uk or email eip@essex.gov.uk
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Federation of Small Businesses Essex
The Federation of Small Businesses is the UKs largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 200,000 members across 33 regions. In addition, Member Services is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to members of the FSB. Regional organiser: PO Box 10405, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 9GT
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Foundation East
We lend up to £100,000 to businesses. We are here to champion local entrepreneurial spirit by providing finance and support to businesses and benefit local communities. For more information on the loan products we provide visit our loans page.
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Keep+
Connecting SMEs to academic expertise and graduate talent, this new European Regional Development Fund-subsidised programme will help boost your business through research and development support that will help you launch new products and services.
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NWES
We help turn business ideas into reality. Established in 1982, Nwes is one of the largest not-for-profit enterprise agencies in the UK. We provide total business support, boost self-employment and encourage enterprise.
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RBSS Consulting
We specialise in offering business advice to start-ups and existing firms in the micro and small business space. Our business advisors expertise is in: raising finance, business performance, business plans, business modelling, growth strategies and getting you finance ready.
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Starting a Business in Essex
Essex County Council has been offering advice to new businesses for many years. We aim to make the information you require easy to find so you can get on with what really matters: getting started. We can also put you in touch with other people who want to help. The Business Information Service can also provide help in the form of useful, free factsheets. For further information call the Business Information Service on: 01245 492535 or email: business.information@essex.gov.uk
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The Consortium
Exceptional business support for start-ups, scales-ups and SMEs Don’t miss the chance to work with people who have worked in corporations and set up their own businesses – we know what it takes to be successful! Contact us today to see what we can do for you on 020 8868 3163
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Start Up Funding
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