Hi 

does anyone know of any companies or charities or organisations that will give a start up grant to a new business?

I am trying to come up with a viable idea a product or service?

the problem is there is so much competition its finding that one idea which stands out.

Many Thanks

Neo

There are lots of government schemes that provide grants and soft loans to start ups.  Most of them tend to be regional and/or focused on specific industries or sectors.

Follow this link for more information Gov.uk/business-finance

One word of warning - there are hundreds of business brokers out there who will all offer to arrange finance and/or grants. They are usually looking to make money themselves or may simply be an additional layer you pay for to access a scheme you could go directly to for free.

Thanks Yankee.

I will look into this, If all else fails this is certainly an avenue to consider.

Has anyone every started there own business on this forum after being convicted, just out of interest?

I know someone who done 3 years in prison, came out could not get work so went to collage started his own business in plastering he has so much work all the time, it kept him on the straight and narrow, kept money coming in, and allowed him to have a life again with his children..

Hi I have my own business in the leisure sector and its doing fine thanks. The only "hit" I have to take is a loading on my business insurance but otherwise no problems to be honest.

Hi CC

Thanks for your reply. do you mind me asking what sort of thing it is you do in the leisure sector?

Many thanks

Neo

Hi east72

Sounds reassuring. it is 100% something worth looking into.if all else fails i guess.

Neo

I'm selling my skills and work from home. Not so much as a business as I take what I can - more like a freelancer - but hopefully the more returning clients I can accumulate then the target is to be self-sufficient.

The positive is that my clients can be anywhere in the world. The negative is that it's a race to the bottom when it comes to wage.

This is the first time I've been unemployed since I was 16 and I believe I have lots of employable and adaptable skills but nobody is interested in the real world because I'm now on the SOR. But in the online freelance world, nobody is asking 'that question' they just need the job doing, which suits me (obviously they're tasks that don't tiptoe anywhere near what my RMO would get sniffy about). Whether this is sustainable until I'm spent... who knows.

What is your business idea?

=====
Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

Mr W

thanks for your reply. I don't really have an idea at the moment i am just doing general research into the market to see what is out there and what is lacking.

Im glad to learn that you are doing well and its working out for you thanks for your comments. 

Cheers
Neo