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    Last Updated: 4, June 2024
     

    Whether you are starting a new digital business from scratch, or growing an existing business, we believe the UK Government is a global leader in the services it offers to help digital businesses grow faster and more efficiently. You’ll find support to fast track your business across each stage of it’s growth.

     

    Transforming an idea into a reality can seem overwhelming. Knowing where to start is one key to success. A range of Government support, initiatives and experts aim to guide you through the process.

    • Starting a Business The first steps to get you going
    • Plan ahead Help whilst you are planning your idea
    • Great Business This site collates a range of useful Government resources for SMEs
    • Running a Business Resources and documentation you will need to run your business smoothly
    • Getting advice Talking to someone who has “been there, done that” can always help

     

    Growing and expanding your business is the next natural step. These Government services are aimed at helping you scale up your business once you’ve set up.

     

    Hiring the right talent is no easy feat and sometimes the rockstar you want to recruit happens to be overseas.

    Exceptional Talent Visa (also known as a Tier 1 Visa): a dedicated, fast-track visa route for applications from highly skilled tech workers overseas. In April 2014, Tech City UK became an official adviser to the Home Office on applications for the Tier 1 visa. That means we are a Designated Competent Body (DCB), like The Arts Council (for arts and culture applications), The British Academy (for humanities and social science), and The Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering).

    Tech City UK’s role allows us to make up to 200 recommendations to the Home Office between 6 April 2014 and 5 April 2015. Alongside the Exceptional Talent Visa, the UK Government offers other types of Tier 1 Visas:

    • General Visa Switch to or extend a Tier 1 General Visa if you have leave to remain or you’re on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
    • Entrepreneur Visa Apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa if you want to set up or run a business in the UK and have more than £50,000 worth of investment funds available
    • Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Apply for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa if you’ve been endorsed for a business idea
    • Investor Visa Apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa if you want to invest £1,000,000 or more in the UK

    For guidance on other types of Visas, please see the Work Visa Directory.
     

    Improving your skills, gaining expertise and training your co-workers will help you stay ahead of the curve in the long run. These initiatives can help you build your dream team:

    • Apprenticeships More and more companies are hiring apprentices, to enhance their workforce and provide people with the chance to get upskilled
    • Small Business Recruitment Service Provides you with support and advice about hiring schemes including wage incentives, youth contracts and the Work Choice programme
    • UKCES A great starting point if you’re planning to develop leadership and management skills within your business
    • ACAS Stay up to date with the latest employment laws and regulations

     

    Having a clear grasp over finance is one of the cornerstones of a successful business. These resources will help you understand the range of financial support available to you.

    • Business finance What kind of finance is available to fund your business? This guide explains the range of financing options available
    • Public sector financial support A handy reference tool to identify Government-backed support and finance options for business
    • Private sector finance Set up by a coalition of the largest UK Financial institutions, this site takes you through the possibilities for private funding
    • Directory of financial support Learn about the different types of Financial Support offered by the Government
    • ICAEW, ACCA and ICAS the Business Finance Advice Scheme is run by the three participating accountancy bodies. Find an expert finance adviser in your local area by searching their directories

     

    The Government provides tax aid through a range of investment and support schemes which could benefit your business:

    • Business Growth Fund offers long term capital for fast-growing companies
    • Enterprise Capital Funds (ECF) The Government can provide two thirds of up to £2m capital investment
    • Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) The Government provides a guarantee of 75% of individual outstanding loan amounts on loans of up to £1m
    • The rate of R&D; tax credit for companies with fewer than 500 employees has been increased to 225%
    • The Patent Box Scheme which lowers Corporation Tax to 10% on profits from the development and exploitation of patents and certain other intellectual property in the UK has been introduced
    • The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) provides 50% income tax relief for UK taxpayers investing in qualifying startups for the first £100,000 seed investment
    • The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offers 30% income tax relief for private investors – bringing the scheme in line with the relief available in contributions into venture capital trusts

     

    If you‘re looking to expand your business from overseas, the UK is the ideal place:

    • The UK has one of the lowest corporation tax rates in the G20
    • You can register a company within 48 hours
    • 4 of the world’s top 10 universities are based in the UK
    • The labour force is the second largest in the Europe
    • The UK government offers support to startups and entrepreneurs

    Find out how the Government supports entrepreneurs and startups

    Learn how to set up your business in the UK

    Learn how to set up your business in London