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How to Start a Business in Cambridgeshire

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Cambridgeshire

Starting a business in Cambridgeshire

If you are thinking about starting a business in Cambridgeshire or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Cambridgeshire contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Cambridgeshire

Local help for startups

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

Select classification:

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or already running a business in the area, this section is designed to provide you with valuable information and resources to support your journey to success. Cambridgeshire, located in the heart of East Anglia, offers a vibrant business environment with a range of opportunities across various sectors.

Demographics of Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a county in the East of England, known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and thriving business scene. As of the latest available data, the estimated population of Cambridgeshire is around 850,000 residents. The county encompasses several major towns and cities that contribute to its economic growth and diversity.

Major Towns and Cities

Click on name to view more information and find contacts in each area.

  1. Cambridge: As the county's largest city and the home of the renowned University of Cambridge, Cambridge has a population of approximately 130,000. It is a centre for innovation, education, and technology, attracting entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors from around the world.
  2. Peterborough: Located in the north of the county, Peterborough is another significant city in Cambridgeshire. With a population of over 200,000, it offers a diverse economy, excellent transport links, and a growing business community.
  3. Huntingdon: Situated northwest of Cambridge, Huntingdon is a historic market town with a population of around 25,000. It serves as a hub for local businesses, retail, and leisure activities.
  4. Ely: Nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse, Ely is a picturesque cathedral city with a population of approximately 20,000. It is known for its stunning architecture, cultural heritage, and thriving tourism industry.
Local Authorities in Cambridgeshire

To navigate the business landscape effectively, it's crucial to be familiar with the local authorities that govern different aspects of running a business in Cambridgeshire. Here are some key authorities in the county along with their website links for further information:

Business Support Organisations

Cambridgeshire offers a wealth of resources and support networks for businesses at every stage of their journey. Whether you need assistance with funding, mentorship, networking, or general guidance, these organisations can be instrumental in your success. Here are a few noteworthy organisations dedicated to supporting businesses in Cambridgeshire, along with their website links:

These organisations provide tailored support, networking events, workshops, and access to valuable resources that can help your business thrive in Cambridgeshire.

We hope this guide provides you with a solid foundation for starting or running a business in Cambridgeshire. Explore the rest of our website for more detailed information, guides, and additional resources that will help you on your entrepreneurial journey in this dynamic county. Good luck!

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.

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Latest articles

You don't know what you don't know!

The prospect of starting a new business can be incredibly exciting but should be approached with care. You have probably heard scary stories about how many start-ups fail in the early stages. You can make sure that you are not one of them by learning as much as possible before you launch. Over the years, we have collected lots of articles which will show you what has worked well for other start-ups and the putfalls to avoid.

Free Startup Guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online 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.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Cambridgeshire

Key Contacts in Cambridgeshire

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Cambridgeshire is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Online Marketing

Orange Squash Agency
Digital Marketing * Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) * Pay Per Click * Social Media Marketing * Email Marketing * Content Marketing * Marketing Automation * Website Usability Testing * Analytics and Reporting * Video Production and Animation * Target audience analysis
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Marketing

Let's Do Marketing
Let’s Do Marketing is a subsidiary of Let’s Do Business Group that is here to help small businesses grow through marketing. Focussed on providing affordable and accessible support to new and small businesses, they offer consultancy and marketing services that can help you to achieve your big marketing ideas. Whether you’re just starting out with a brand new business or looking to grow, we can give you the guidance to create a marketing strategy that matches your goals. Let’s Do Marketing can also provide training to help you take control of your own marketing strategy, from learning new software and tools to creating award winning campaigns! Find out more about our services https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/ Want to chat about how Let’s Do Marketing can help you to level up your business? Get in touch at https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/contact or email us at hello@letsdomarketing.co.uk!
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Funding

Access business finance up to £150k
Let’s Do Business Finance offers funding to both start-up businesses and businesses wanting to grow and invest in their future. Start up finance We’re one of the official Business Support Partners of the British Business Bank and Start Up Loan Company. We can offer loans from £500 up to £25k with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum, and that includes 12 months of free mentoring to help you get off to the best start. Could you be eligible? Find out more https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/lets-start-up Business loans Let’s Do Business Finance are able to offer business loans to help established businesses to grow. We’re accredited lenders of the Recovery Loan Scheme under the British Business Bank, and we’re able to lend from £25,001 to £150,000 on terms from 3 months to 6 years. This business finance can be used to help you secure anything from new premises, equipment, and capital, and our team can help you to assess your cash flow and finances, build your marketing strategy and more with our built-in business support which is tailored to your needs. Want to learn more about business loans, and see if you’re eligible? Visit our website https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/ or send us an enquiry https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/contact-us
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Advice

Cambridgeshire County Council - Business
The business support page on Cambridgeshire County Council's website includes information about: Advice for business; Business continuity; Business investors and funding network; Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire; Business Resources; Business support organisations; Employing young people; Looking for business premises; Relocating your business to Cambridgeshire; Setting up and running a business; Supporting employees with childcare.
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Advice

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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Office Services

Emma Read VA & Associates
Providing valuable business support services to small business owners nationwide since 2016. From remote Personal Assistants and Digital Marketing Assistants to Virtual Assistants who specialise in working with neurodiverse clients, we help you find the RIGHT support for your specific needs. We’re your bolt-on remote team there to support you every step of the way. Winner of the "Most Outstanding Virtual Assistant Company 2022" in the Southern Enterprise Awards.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Web design

Finley Design
We are not your typical website design agency, we deliver cost effective, professional websites for small businesses, startups and Ecommerce clients across the UK. A multi skilled web design agency based in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire with clients large and small across the UK. We are passionate about what we do and produce websites that deliver results from the start. We offer professional digital marketing solutions to growing companies that exceeds our clients expectations on service and results.
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Networking

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
Cambridge has a vibrant and innovative economy and the Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber Committee works hard to ensure that the needs and concerns of SMEs are reflected in the local and regional decision-making processes. Address: Enterprise House,The Vision Park,Histon,Cambridge,CB24 9ZR
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business