A UK charity for new founders
Got a business idea? We’ll help you make it real.
Free workshops, one-to-one mentoring and plain-English guidance for anyone in the UK who wants to start their own business, whatever their background, budget or starting point.
What we do
Three ways we help you get started
Starting a business can feel like a maze of jargon, forms and unknowns. We break it down into steps you can actually take.
Free workshops
Practical, small-group sessions on business planning, pricing, marketing, tax and getting registered. Online and in person.
One-to-one mentoring
Regular sessions with a volunteer mentor who has run a business themselves and knows what the first year really looks like.
Funding & set-up guidance
Help finding grants, start-up loans and local support, plus straight answers on sole trader vs limited company, HMRC and insurance.
Who we help
For people who don’t see themselves as ‘entrepreneurs’ yet
You don’t need a degree, savings or contacts. You need an idea, some determination and someone in your corner. The examples below show the kinds of people we work with.
Side hustle to full time
Someone doing hair, nails or beauty from home who wants to go legit, price properly and open a chair or a small salon.
First time in business
Someone leaving employment or unemployment to run a small shop, a market stall or an online store, and needing to get set up right.
Returning to work
Parents, carers and people over 50 turning a skill, a recipe or a craft into a business that fits around their life.
These are illustrative examples of the people SureStart is designed for, not case studies of named individuals.
How it works
From idea to open in four steps
Everything is free. You move at your own pace and we stay with you as long as you need.
01
Get in touch
Tell us about your idea and where you are right now. There’s no application to fail.
02
Join a workshop
Learn the essentials with a small group of people at the same stage as you.
03
Meet your mentor
Get matched with a volunteer who’s been there and can help you avoid the common mistakes.
04
Launch and grow
Register, open and start trading, with us on hand for the wobbles in year one.
Help someone take their first step
Every donation and every volunteer hour goes towards free support for people starting out. Fund a workshop place, mentor a founder, or partner with us.