New Business Startups

People who are planning to set up a new business in the city of London will probably need plenty of help and advice to get them started, especially if this is their first venture. Fortunately there are plenty of organisations and groups that offer support and advice on new business startups. Here are some of the places that you should consider visiting in search of advice, support and encouragement.

A series of special startup shows, conferences and exhibitions are held at impressive venues throughout the year. Attending one of these events is a great way to gain a lot of information on how to make your business a success and covers a whole host of different aspects, from making the perfect business plan to where to find funding.

One of the biggest entrepreneurial events of the year, Business 2012, is due to take place at the London O2 Arena from March 18-20 (nearest tube stations: North Greenwich, five minutes from Canary Wharf). This high profile event will be attended by a number of guest speakers who have already made it big in the business world, including leading British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

Up-and-coming entrepreneurs will also want to consider attending the Business Startup Show, which will be held on the 17-18 May at the ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock in the Docklands area of London (nearest DLR station: Custom House, change at Canning Town). There is no charge to attend the Business Startup show, and people who register will be able to reap the benefits of a wealth of information that is designed to help entrepreneurs to start their business or to expand an existing business. This event is being held for the 25th time and to celebrate the success of the event a total of four new features have been added. The event will feature more than 250 seminars as well as stalls manned by over 300 exhibitors.

The British Government have been putting a lot of focus on startup programmes in recent years. Entrepreneurs who are trying to get a foothold in the business world will be able to take part in a wide range of different schemes and programmes. These schemes come in all shapes and sizes and range from free courses to one-on-one advice. People who are need of a little support and are planning to set up a business in the London area can also apply to the government for funding.

The East London Small Business Centre, which has offices in Aldgate East and Stratford, also offers startup advice and courses to people aiming at setting up their business in the east of London. The East London Small Business Centre is staffed by a knowledgeable and experienced team, who are always available to give help and support and also provide special services aimed at getting small businesses off the ground.

Entrepreneurs who have completed or are currently taking a business course at one of London's many excellent educational institutions will also be able to find the held and support that they need. This comes in various different forms, from tips on how to create business plans to help gaining funding and confidential and personalised advice on a particular business.

One of the most important things that people who are just getting started you focus on is making business connections. The success or failure of a business often depends on how well publicised it is and how good your connections are. For this reason it is a good idea to regularly attend conferences and networking events. These events are held regularly at various venues located throughout the city of London and many are free to attend.