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Business Advice Essex

Where to find business support organisations who help start-ups.

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Essex Business Category

Essex Business Support

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Businesses in Essex 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.

Recommended Local Partner

Backing Essex Business

Backing Essex Business

Fully funded by Essex County Council and delivered by business support organisation Let's Do Business Group, Backing Essex Business provides free support to help your business to grow through advice, access to finance and training.

What areas of Essex are eligible?

- Basildon
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Castlepoint
- Chelmsford
- Colchester
- Epping Forest
- Harlow
- Maldon
- Rochford
- Tendring
- Uttlesford

Support to meet your business needs
If you need help with staffing, strategy or business finance, we can offer up to 12 hours of free support from our expert team.

Access business funding for growth
We can help you to access vital business funding including business loans and grants to help aid your growth

Whatever the challenge, well help you find the solution
Our experienced team of business advisors are here to help you overcome any barriers or difficulties your business is facing.

Start up support
If youve got your business idea but dont know where to take it next, we offer support that can help you learn the skills you need to succeed.

How can we help your business to #StartUp?

- Access our fully funded start up workshops
- A free online session with one of our specialist business advisers
- A free online session with one of our finance & funding experts
- Free advice on finding premises in East Sussex
- Preferential rates for new businesses moving into Ongar Business Centre
- Access to business information fact sheets
- Support to apply for a Start Up Loan

Get in touch https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/contact-us or call 0844 415 2272 (Calls cost 5p/min plus your phone company's access charge. If your mobile tariff allows free calls to landlines, you can call 01424 205 500.)

Email info@ldbgroup.co.uk

Mobile icon 0844 415 2272 or 01424 205 500
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Start Your Own Business in 2021
Free start-up guide
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Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

IT Support Essex | iTec32
Perfect Layout Digital Marketing
McMillan Rose & Co - Chartered Certified Accountants
Utility Warehouse
Yum Digital
Access business finance up to £150k
Backing Essex Business

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2025 edition of our Free guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered with links to useful articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English and points to where you can find help and support.

More Information and instant download

Essex Business Advisors

South East Business Hub
The South East Business Hub (SEBH) is here to help your business on the path to growth and prosperity. SEBH can connect you with the services that match your business needs and help you make your mark in Englands most enterprising economy.SEBH is provided by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), the business-led, public/private body established to drive economic growth across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.
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South East Business Hub
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Backing Essex Business
Fully funded by Essex County Council and delivered by business support organisation Let's Do Business Group, Backing Essex Business provides free support to help your business to grow through advice, access to finance and training. What areas of Essex are eligible? - Basildon - Braintree - Brentwood - Castlepoint - Chelmsford - Colchester - Epping Forest - Harlow - Maldon - Rochford - Tendring - Uttlesford Support to meet your business needs If you need help with staffing, strategy or business finance, we can offer up to 12 hours of free support from our expert team. Access business funding for growth We can help you to access vital business funding including business loans and grants to help aid your growth Whatever the challenge, well help you find the solution Our experienced team of business advisors are here to help you overcome any barriers or difficulties your business is facing. Start up support If youve got your business idea but dont know where to take it next, we offer support that can help you learn the skills you need to succeed. How can we help your business to #StartUp? - Access our fully funded start up workshops - A free online session with one of our specialist business advisers - A free online session with one of our finance & funding experts - Free advice on finding premises in East Sussex - Preferential rates for new businesses moving into Ongar Business Centre - Access to business information fact sheets - Support to apply for a Start Up Loan Get in touch https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/contact-us or call 0844 415 2272 (Calls cost 5p/min plus your phone company's access charge. If your mobile tariff allows free calls to landlines, you can call 01424 205 500.) Email info@ldbgroup.co.uk
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Backing Essex Business
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UK Research & Innovation
We invest in research and innovation to enrich lives, drive economic growth, and create jobs and high-quality public services across the UK. We are transforming tomorrow together.
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UK Research & Innovation
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Department for Business & Trade
The Department for Business & Trade helps businesses export and grow into global markets. We also help overseas companies locate and grow in the UK. Our services are provided in over 100 markets throughout the world. We are passionate about what we do. Thats why we constantly review our services in light of customer feedback and the impact they offer, which means theyll vary from time to time.
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Department for Business & Trade
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Prowess- Women in Business
Prowess is the online hub for women-friendly business support, inspiration and information. Our vision is an environment where women in business can flourish. Be inspired Prowess is full of stories and shared experiences from women who’ve made their own way in business. Everyone has a story to tell. And women who are thinking of starting a business – and those looking to grow – say there aren’t enough stories of real women in business out there. In our recent survey 43% said they wanted to read more experiences and case studies from ‘real’ women in business! Read them here, or submit your own here.
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Prowess- Women in Business
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Let's Do Business Group
With the ability to help businesses across all sectors, our team can offer business consultancy services to help you achieve your goals. The Let’s Do Business Group can provide virtual business consultancy services through our team of business professionals and quality assured consultants. Whether its developing a business plan or strategy, coaching or mentoring of senior staff and business owners, or just being a sounding board our team are here to help. We offer a free initial consultation so that we understand your needs, and you get to know us. We will then agree how we will work together and our fees – this could be from a one off session, a short support programme or a longer term project. We also have access to a range of other business specialists to help you with anything from Marketing to HR – so whatever your need, we can find a solution. Contact the team today at https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/contact-us or email info@ldbgroup.co.uk
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Let's Do Business Group
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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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Enterprise Support Alliance Ltd
We are running free (EU funded) training workshops. All the trainers are experts in their topics. Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions.
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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 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
RBSS Consulting provides a range of business services designed to help you start your business right and grow your existing business profitably. Its key services are helping you access the right finance for your business, business planning and growth strategies. We work mainly with micro and small businesses in all industries except industrial manufacturing. We provide our clients with an insight to make critical decisions to solve their most pressing challenges. We offer a complimentary detailed business performance and valuation health check with a full report afterwards, enabling you to address weaknesses and capitalise on areas of strength within the business. The health check focuses on the 5 key areas that drive performance in any successful business. We aim to do what is right for each individual client to enable them become high-performance businesses by focusing on strategic decisions and practical actions. Our aim is to help you achieve success as defined by you. For more information on our services, please visit our website www.rbssconsulting.co.uk
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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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Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Essex but where can it be found?

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Advice & Support
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Accountancy
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Bookkeeping
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Co-Working
Bank of England

Funding
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Grants
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Mentoring
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Networking
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Office Services
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Online Marketing
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Web Design
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Workplaces