- July 17th 2020
- Surrey
Guide for Start-up Businesses in Surrey
Surrey is one of the wealthiest counties in the UK, it’s popular with London commuters and the fact that it’s in the green belt means that it’s exquisitely beautiful, with plenty of parks and woodland. The clientele may be well-heeled, but this doesn’t always translate to a profitable climate for local businesses. This is never more true than for entrepreneurs, setting up a new business in Surrey.
Launching a new business can be daunting, but this doesn’t put people off. The lure of being your own boss and creating something for yourself is very appealing. This is reflected in the numbers – between 2018 and 2019, there was a dramatic upsurge in start-up companies, with over 670,000 new businesses registered nationwide.
If you’re thinking of starting up your own business then don’t feel overwhelmed. There is a lot to think about – physical location, insurance, branding, marketing and hiring being but a few. But two things are key to success – planning and funding.
Plan for Success
When it comes to planning, networking groups are a fantastic place to start. These groups of professional, like-minded SME business owners will all have been exactly where you are, so they’re the best people to help you navigate the challenges ahead. By heeding their advice, you can avoid the pitfalls and build a healthy brand. Really, we can’t stress how invaluable this peer support and guidance can be for you and your business. Not only that, but by building a strong network you can form strategic partnerships and find the best, trusted suppliers.
There are also some excellent local and national resources available for entrepreneurs, including:
SETSquared
Here in Surrey, we’re lucky to have direct access to the business incubator SETSquared. SETSquared specialises in helping science and tech start-ups. The initiative was created in 2002 as a partnership between five universities: Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. No equity is required; this initiative prides itself on being a creative ecosystem to help science and tech ventures get off the ground.
SETSquared has a great track record, and over the past 17+ years has helped more than 250 companies get the start they need. Situated in Surrey Research Park, the incubator provides office space and meeting rooms, as well as peer support in both technology and management. It also provides valuable links to University experts and facilities, and access to business acceleration centres. So if you’re a tech entrepreneur embarking on a new initiative, then this could be the support ecosystem for you.
Start up Donut
If you’re setting up your own business, then this is an absolute gem of a website. It can help you at every step of the process and provides a wealth of information as well as invaluable resource materials. With links to local experts in all relevant fields, as well as advice on everything from writing a business plan to financial and tax planning, and from hiring to marketing, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for on startupdonut.co.uk. What’s more, it’s a free service, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Surrey-i
This powerful website brings together key data from around the county and is an incredibly powerful resource for start-ups. Surrey-i is a fantastic analytical tool. It gives an insight into key demographics and statistics, including population data, health and wellbeing information and employment figures, as well as trends across the region. Use this site to understand where your business might be needed, to make the county a better place to live in.
Startups
This online resource is the UK’s leading independent platform for starting, running or selling a small business. First established in 2000, Startups is probably the longest running site of its kind. It’s packed full of ideas, advice and inspiration to ensure your business gets off on the right foot, and continues to thrive.
Innovating for Growth: Start-ups
This 2-day online workshop is run by the British Library. It’s a free, 12-hour interactive online programme that will teach you everything you need to know about starting your own business. Not only is it good as an educational tool, but you’ll also meet other budding entrepreneurs and be able to exchange ideas and gain support. What’s more, at the end you’ll receive a personalised Innovating for Growth: Start-ups certificate.
Secure Funding
Funding is the lifeline for start-ups. Today’s economic climate might be tough, but there are many ways that you can raise funds for your business. From Government grants to crowd-funding, and private investors to tax breaks, there are many ways you can secure the funding you need.
There are so many options available, it can be confusing – this funding guide for startups would be a good starting point.. You should carefully consider how you want to resource funding, and whether or not you want to take out a loan or give away company equity. We recommend good websites such as GrantTree and Better Business Finance for identifying the best options for you and your business.
However you decide to proceed with the development and launch of your new business, there’s one aspect that will be vital for success. This is getting seen by potential customers. Not just the physical shop window, but also your virtual one. If you want to be found online then it’s essential to optimise your website for SEO. This is where we can help. Here at Leapfrog Internet Marketing we have the expertise and professional know-how to help you ‘leapfrog’ to the top of the search engine rankings. Contact us today and see how we can give your new business the best start possible.
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