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start-up support

We have highlighted the below support services to help with your business start-up.

Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Studio

The AUB Innovation Studio Residency Programme is to help you develop your ideas into a business or a creative career. Designed to support both pre-start-ups and small businesses seeking support, the Residency Programme delivered by Arts University Bournemouth will help you design your product or service, trial and prove ideas and concepts with potential users, build and test prototypes, create a robust business plan and build a network setting you up for success.

Visit the AUB Innovation Studio website

Business Support Service

The free to access national Business Support Service can help small businesses of all stages to find the right support and impartial advice, whether you are just starting out or growing your venture. Advisers provide tailored guidance and information on schemes and publicly funded business support programmes available in your area and across England. Delivered on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Visit the government's Business Support Service website

Dorset Growth Hub

Providing support to businesses across Dorset. Specialists provide guidance and information on all aspects of business, including start-up, growth, finance and digital.

Visit Dorset Growth Hub's website

Enterprise Nation

Designed for small businesses Enterprise Nation connects you to the resources and expertise to help you succeed.

Visit Enterprise Nation's website

Open University and Start-up Loans

Start Up Loans has partnered with The Open University to create a range of courses designed to help entrepreneurs succeed in business. These courses provide a rich source of vital information for anyone who’s new to being their own boss, as well as would-be business owners who are considering taking the plunge. Covering digital skills to bookkeeping and accounting, the courses are designed to help business owners understand more about the key aspects of running a business – from the day-to-day to growing a venture.

Visit the Start-up Loans website

Prince’s Trust

Support for starting a business – the Prince’s Trust has helped over 90,000 young people to start their own business – and you could be next. They work with 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK to turn big ideas into a reality

Visit the Prince's Trust's website