Start Your Own Business in Scotland

If you are thinking about starting a business in Scotland or would like to grow your exisiting business, you have come to the right place!

Start Your Own Business in Scotland contains masses of free resources and the useful information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights local organisations who offer friendly business advice and services that you need.

Everything that you will find on the site is free and a good place to start is our free start-up pack, a series of factsheets which cover all of the key considerations, relevant templates, links to other useful resources and our free downlodable 'Start Your Own Business' guide .

We have been helping start-ups and exisiting business owners for the past 18 years and in Scotland since 2005. Accordingly, we have amassed an enormous amount of relevant useful business information which we are happy to share with you free of charge.

Most popular local questions

Are there any business grants available in Scotland?

What funding options are available for my new business?

Where are the local business networking groups to be found?

Is there any free business advice available in Scotland?

If you can help new business start-ups in Scotland, we would love to point them in your direction. You can add a free directory listing .

Friendly Advice

We hope that you find the site useful and wish you the very best of luck on your exciting journey. If you are unsure of where to start, we suggest that you get a feel for what is going on locally by having a look at the following pages:

Scotland Business Advice Advice

Scotland Business Funding Funding

Scotland Business Networking Networking

Scotland Business Grants Grants

Scotland Business Insurance Insurance

Scotland Business Mentoring Mentoring

Scotland Business Marketing Marketing

Scotland Commercial Property Property

Scotland Website Design & SEO Website Design & SEO

If you offer services that could help local business owners, we would be happy to point them in your direction! Add your details (FREE!) here.

FREE Start-Up Pack

Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.

Start-up checklist
Step-by-step guide
Business plan template
Personal budget planner
Cashflow forecast template
Marketing plan template
Guide to business networking
Start-up map
Web & SEO Checklist
Start-up map

Download Pack

One-time registration required but this unlocks all of the free resources on the site.

FREE Start-Up Pack

Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

Start-up checklist
Step-by-step guide
Business plan template
Personal budget planner
Cashflow forecast template
Marketing plan template
Guide to business networking
Start-up map
Web & SEO Checklist
Start-up map

Download Pack

FREE Book

This free page book is packed with information and contact details designed to help you start or grow your business successfully.

We have been running SYOB for over 10 years now and have accumulated an enormous amount of information which could make the difference between success or failure.

Starting a business is easy but keeping it going and making a profit is a completely different proposition. The good news is that there are tried and tested 'rules' which have consistently proved to work.

As the old addage says 'you don't know what you don't know'!

Download Now

FREE 'Start & Grow Your Business' Book

This 2020 Edition is packed with the information that you need to start or grow a business in Scotland

Overview - easy to follow step by step guide
Advice - where to find help and support
Business planning - are you ready?
Market research - is there a gap in the market?
Business set-up - choosing the right structure
Premises - work from home or premises?
Finance & funding - your funding options
Accountancy & tax - tax and VAT explained
Business networking - tips and local groups
Getting online - online marketing, social media
Employing staff - how to find and recruit
Law & insurance - the key considerations
Common mistakes - and how to avoid them
Business directory - useful contacts

You can download the whole of this page book now free of charge. We are sure that you will find it both interesting and useful. The 2020 edition is packed with useful hints and tips, relevant, easy to read guides to all of the relevant subjects, real-life examples, and lots of contacts to enable you to get off to the best possible start.

Download Free copy

Start-Up Services

We are keen to see you succeed and can recommend the following...

Business Plan Review

If you have already prepared a business plan, but feel it needs a professional 'eye' to look over it before presenting it to a bank or investor, or you’re worried that it simply isn’t up to scratch, then we can help.
Find out more

Mentoring

A professional business mentor is an invaluable resource for businesses of all shapes and sizes, so stick with one and they will help you to grow from a start-up to an established business.
Find out more

Business Opportunity

Discover how you can earn a lifelong income by helping people get an all together better deal on their Gas, Electricity, Landline, Broadband and Mobile services. People like you have changed their lives!
Find out more

Start-Up Loans

We have partnered with Transmit Start-Ups to deliver the Start Up Loans scheme to UK entrepreneurs. This is a government backed scheme, providing repayable loans and mentoring to individuals in the UK with a viable business idea but no access to finance.
Find out more

Scotland Local Contacts

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

My World of Work - Be Your Own Boss

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes. In Scotland, 99% of all private sector businesses are small to medium size enterprises – and they provide an estimated 1.1 million jobs*. What could you add to that mix?

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Visit Scotland - Supporting Your Business

Scottish tourism businesses and the fantastic work they do make up the lifeblood of our industry. The world-class standards of our accommodation providers, visitor attractions, visitor/experiences, restaurants and other businesses are why Scotland attracts so many new and returning visitors year after year.

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University of St Andrews

There are plenty of examples of successful entrepreneurs and ideas. You may find reading them sparks your own imagination and inspires you to seek out and build your own enterprise – whatever its size! Students have great ideas for ventures and with a bit of perseverance and support, turn them into successful ventures.

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Scottish Rural Network - Funding

Details of funding schemes for rural businesses in Scotland including the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Grants and support for economic, environmental and social measures to benefit rural Scotland are available through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

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Bute Enterprise Finance Fund

Bute Enterprise Finance Fund is a charity funded company which provides loans to businesses and organisations in Bute, Argyll, South and North Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire. Finance £10k-£200k is available with flexible repayment terms up to 10yrs. Specific emphasis is placed on businesses that will assist economic regeneration or generate and sustain employment. We can also help borrowers access other types of finance such as government funded start up loans, advise on business plans and support the growth of your business.

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Scottish Chambers of Commerce

SCC we are dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of our member companies and to helping them rise to the challenge, seize the opportunity and succeed in the marketplace. By joining a Chamber of Commerce your company automatically becomes part of Scotlands largest business organisation, with access to an unrivalled range of services, support and advice to aid your development as a thriving member of the business community. Address: Scottish Chambers of Commerce, 30 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1EQ

FSB West of Scotland

FSB West of Scotland is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Hisashi Kuboyama Development Manager Hisashi.Kuboyama@fsb.org.uk

Business grants in Scotland: What do you need to know?

Small business grants in Scotland tend to either be funded by the Scottish or UK Government, as well as the European Union (EU). Generally, the funding is either available for any business across Scotland (or for businesses intending to be based in Scotland). Alternatively, some grants are only available to businesses working in certain sectors or specific locations.

Start Your Own Business in Scotland

Friendly Advice

FREE Start-Up Pack

FREE Start-Up Pack

FREE Book

FREE 'Start & Grow Your Business' Book

Start-Up Services

Business Plan Review

Mentoring

Business Opportunity

Start-Up Loans

Scotland Local Contacts

My World of Work - Be Your Own Boss

Visit Scotland - Supporting Your Business

University of St Andrews

Scottish Rural Network - Funding

Bute Enterprise Finance Fund

Scottish Chambers of Commerce

FSB West of Scotland

Business grants in Scotland: What do you need to know?

Digital Boost

Scottish Rural Network

Scottish Enterprise

Scotland Pages

Local Partners