Do you want to start or grow a business or independent career?
If you want to explore ideas, establish an innovative new service or use your skills and specialisms to create your own opportunities, we can help you at every stage of your journey from pre-idea to launch and beyond.
START UP coaching is confidential and tailored around the specific needs of you and your business or independent career. Depending on what stage you're at, you'll meet one-to-one with one of our knowledgable Start-up Advisers or Business Advisers.
All of our advisers have experience of being self-employed and are well connected to our network of entrepreneurs and further start-up support. You'll gain their insights as well as clear direction on how to achieve your goals. To access this support, send us an email or book a Drop-In appointment (online or in person) via MyCareer.
START UP Space is a free, open plan co-working area located on Level 1 of the King’s Gate building with space for group work, formal meetings and informal conversations. Turn up with your laptop or use one of our open access workstations whenever you need a city-centre base.
We offer a wide range of skills development workshops and recorded video masterclasses to help you start or grow a business or independent career. We also advertise relevant events by external organisations. See our event listings for full details.
We award equity-free grant funding up to £3,000 to those who are already working with a Start-up Adviser and have a clear, genuine need for finances to progress their business opportunity. Learn more about START UP Grants.
We endorse eligible international students who want to remain in the UK after graduation to develop and grow an innovative, viable and scalable, UK-based business through the government's Start-up Visa route. Learn more about Start-up Visa endorsement.
For founders, freelancers and pioneers
We support all areas of the self-employed, working with hundreds of students and graduates as individuals or teams. There are currently 203 START UP-supported businesses trading with a combined annual turnover of close to £88 million. Between them, they've raised over £44 million in external investment, won national and global awards and created 947 full-time equivalent jobs.
