Starting your business: a toolkit for start-ups

Please note the start-up toolkit was updated on 17 December 2025 to include an important correction about tax on page 22. If you downloaded the guide before this time, please download the most recent version to ensure you have the latest information.

Did you know?

Businesses that start with the support of the BIPC are far more likely to succeed, with over 90% of them still trading after three years (national average is 50%).

Topics include

• The reasons you might want to work for yourself and learn from others who have already done it.
• How to write your business plan and develop your Unique Value Proposition
• How to protect and monetise your intellectual property (IP) using patents and trade marks.
• The different ways you can form your business, including as a sole trader, limited company, partnership or LLP, CIC and CIOs.
• How to research your market, including using the free world-class market information only available at the Business & IP Centre.
• Planning your finances, how to manage your cash flow, and discover how to raise funds for your start-up through grants, crowdfunding and loans.
• Building your marketing strategy and understand how to choose the best advertising options for your businesses.

DISCLAIMER: This publication is for guidance only. This publication does not constitute legal or financial advice; you should undertake your own investigations. Reliance should not be placed upon it and nor should action be taken, without obtaining advice in respect of the specific circumstances applicable.