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How to Start a Business in Cranfield

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Cranfield

Starting a business in Cranfield

If you are thinking about starting a business in Cranfield or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Cranfield contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Cranfield

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Starting a Business in in Cranfield

Business advice and support

"Two heads are better than one."

Whether you have been trading for some time, are new to the market or are just thinking about starting a business of your own, it has been proven that your chances of success are considerably improved if you seek support from an experienced business advisor or mentor. You can find out more about both options at Business Advice in Cranfield and Business Mentors in Cranfield.

Funding and grants

Running out of money is one the most common reasons why businesses fail. This risk of this happening to can be avoided (or minimised) by careful planning and cashflow forecasting. If you need additional funds to start or keep your business going, you can learn more about your options and download our free funding factsheet at: Cranfield Business Grants and Business Funding

Business networking

Does the idea of business networking fill you with delight or dread? Either way, it can be beneficial for both your business and you as an entrepreneur. See Business Networking in Cranfield for details of local groups and our free Networking Factsheet.

Business premises

Working from home is appealing to many new business owners but not practical for many others. Even if you are running a business by yourself, you might like to consider the option of 'hot desking' or co-working in one of the many flexi-workspaces that have emerged in recent years. Find out more at: Cranfield Co-Working and Business Premises.

Finding new customers

Paying customers are the lifeblood of any business. Knowing how to find, satisfy and retain them is vitally important and best achieved with the help of experts in the field.

Accountancy, tax and law

While starting a new business is very exciting, this should not disguide the fact that there are some very important legal responsibilities that must be considered. See: Bookkeeping, Accountancy, Financial Planning and Law

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don’t become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Cranfield

Key Contacts in Cranfield

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Cranfield is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Online Marketing

Nettonic
If you are a start-up business owner, this article is for you. Building and managing your website can be costly and time-consuming. The time that could be better spent on running your company! The biggest benefits of a Free Website are that it will be designed, built, managed and supported by an experienced team who knows the ins and outs of running websites! What makes our offer so much better than our competitors is that you are not being given access to a Free Website builder, the expected to do all the work. You will be getting a user friendly, professional website with the option to sell online.
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Web design

Fifteen Three Digital
We work with businesses looking to improve their online presence, connect with their customers and get better leads and enquiries through their website. We’re passionate about the web and we’re committed to building the best website possible for you and your business. That means we take the time to listen and find out as much as we can about your business so that we can advise you on the most effective strategy to achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking to develop a new website or you already have a site that’s not serving your needs, we can help.
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Education

Central Bedfordshire College
At Central Bedfordshire College, our purpose is to enable our students to achieve their maximum potential with strong support, integrity and love of learning. Our industry-grade facilities, friendly environment and strong partnerships with local businesses and universities ensure that learners at CBC develop an excellent work ethic in a realistic setting, and are then able to flourish and thrive in whatever path they choose, whether that be the workplace or higher education. We offer a range of courses from Level 1 to HE, including Access courses, so that no student or prospective student is limited by their academic background. We also have a strong provision for students with learning difficulties, reflecting our dedication to inclusion.
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Opportunities

Businesses For Sale in Bedfordshire
Businesses and franchises for sale in Bedfordshire BusinessesForSale.com is the world's most popular website for buying or selling a business. Established in 1996, the website is an international marketplace of businesses for sale. We provide a cost-effective route to market for business owners and their representatives and a one stop shop for aspiring entrepreneurs and business buyers.
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Advice

The South East Midlands Start-up Programme
Free* support for your business The South East Midlands Start-up Programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, provides residents of Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury Vale and Cherwell, Northampton, Corby, Daventry and Wellingborough with access to 12 hours of FREE support for small businesses and start-ups. This can be in the form of: - one-to-one business advice - webinars and workshops - access to business start-up services - business incubation workspace - specialist social enterprise support
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Online Marketing

beds Business Women
Our work team is made up of professionals specialized in each of your tasks. Design, SEO positioning, online marketing, and social media are some of the services we do on a daily basis. But we not only know how to do things, but we also have the necessary tools. We are aware that hosting is important to achieve a good web positioning, that is why we have different dedicated Class C IPs so that our clients can place their sites on the first page of search engines. Even, several of them are among the first three search results. We will optimize your website so that it is totally Google-friendly, and we will provide it with quality content that is relevant to the keywords to be positioned. In our agency, you will find all the services that your company needs to have a presence on the internet. You do not need to contract several services in different places, paying much more than if you contract everything in one place. We give you that possibility; we offer you the domain registration, hosting, design, and implementation of your website, the hosting where to host it and the positioning of it
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Networking

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Our role is to ensure that, working together, we create connections within our ever growing peer network and become an enabler for business growth locally, regionally and nationally. Representing 700+ businesses with around 60,000 employees across all sectors, we work at a local, national and international level to support businesses from sole traders to multinational corporations. Founded in 1877, Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is one of only 52 Chambers in the UK to be accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce. The Chamber network exists to make a difference to your business, through opening new business opportunities in local, national and international markets, ensuring your views are heard within Government or providing critical business support.
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Networking

Bedfordshire Entrepreneurs Society
his student-led society welcomes any students who have an interest is running their own business. It is not just for "business" students - Sports Therapists, Art & Design, Computer Games, the Performing Arts, Osteopaths and students from many other subject areas could have an interest in entrepreneurship. If you are a current student at the University of Bedfordshire and want to know more please email: bedfordshire.entrepreneurs@gmail.com
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Networking

Beds New Business Network
Informal Networking You’ll meet other start-up businesses along with established companies from the local area in a relaxed environment. Talk about your business challenges and get advice from other businesses in the room as well as sharing your experiences. Members of BNBN have access to a laptop & projector to use when pitching for new business or giving a presentation. Why BNBN? Grow & develop your business Build your business relationships Support for small and start-up businesses Low fees Relaxed environment Monthly evening meetings
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Networking

FSB Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire
FSB Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Caron Kendall Development Manager Caron.Kendall@fsb.org.uk
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Directories

Bedford Community
In Bedfordshire, a business listing portal is the perfect guide. It presents you with the Ads or listings of new companies as well as services that a person requires in their day-to-day life.
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Advice

Bedfordshire Green Business Network (GBN)
Bedfordshire Green Business Network (GBN) is a membership organisation and a Charity, which helps businesses reduce their impact on the environment. GBN brings together like‐minded businesses to help each other reduce energy and water consumption, eliminate waste, design products more sustainably, increase biodiversity on‐site, manage impacts, and put environmental issues at the heart of your company’s decision making. We can also help you reduce your liabilities by understanding your legal obligations. We have been doing this for more than 25 years
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Advice

University of Bedfordshire Knowledge Hub
The Knowledge Hub at the University of Bedfordshire offers a range of business services, including training and development; specialist services and consultancy focusing on innovation and boosting competitiveness; access to graduates; and enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes.
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Advice

Centre for Womens Enterprise
Are you a women who is self employed, employed, looking to start your own business or seeking to enter or return to employment, we hope to contribute to your success!
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Advice

Enterprising Women
If youre looking for business support, information, help, training, inspiration, mentoring, news, business partners, networking events, new clients.... it???s all here. Over 7000 entrepreneurial women in business already enjoy the benefits!
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Networking

Bedfordshire WiRE Network
Our huge thanks to Teresa Bellmaine (www.Astroshola.co.uk and www.Practicallyslim.com) for running WiRE Bedfordshire for so long. Teresa has decided to step down and concentrate on her business. We are looking for a new leader. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting new challenge, please take a look at the Becoming a WiRE Leader page or drop Polly Gibb an email * WiRE business networking events are run by volunteers, please confirm/cancel your booking with the Network Leaders. * WiRE Network Meetings are not free. There is a minimal cost at each event to cover refreshments / room hire. Typically WiRE members pay less than non-members. Please see individual event details or ask the network leader for the event cost. WiRE is unique in its approach to business help, invaluable to all rural women in business at any stage, from the established or growing business, to new or potential businesses. View our full Membership package. Guests can attend up to two meetings as non members before you are invited to join WiRE.
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Networking

Business Buzz
Business Buzz is a series of local networking events. We work with the business community in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Essex and London to provide opportunities to meet, connect and share. Our business networking events are informal and relaxed, just drop-in when you are free.
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Networking

Bedfordshire & Luton Chamber of Commerce
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a business support organisation, working alongside businesses, partner organisations and other stakeholders across the county of Bedfordshire. Any business in Bedfordshire who wants to network with other businesses, promote their business, make cost savings and be part of an organisation with the interests of Bedfordshire businesses at its heart should join the Chamber. Address: Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 0SX
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business