15 brilliant resources for UK SMEs and start ups that you have to try

Whether you are 15 or 50, if you have big ambitions for your SME or start up, the hub is here to help you get all the support you can.

From wild ideas sketched out on a napkin to realistic goals thought out in the boardroom, every SME or start up has great aspirations. The journey to reach those pivotal goals isn’t always easy, often we need a little help.

In our recovering economy, there is plenty of growing support on hand from associations, charities and government backed enterprises for SMEs and start ups, if you know where to look. From funding to business coaching, consultancy to knowledge exchange, there are many helping hands out there; you don’t have to go it alone.

We’ve picked out the essential resources that every aspirational business in the UK should explore:

1. UK Crowdfunding: Of course, cash is what every business needs but bank lending continues to be on a downward trajectory, despite the controversial Funding For Lending Scheme. If you have begged, borrowed or stolen from your friends and family, try something new. UK Crowdfunding is a good entry point to learn about how to get started with crowdfunding and what the best platforms are for your venture.
2. LetsLinkUK: LetsLinkUK offers community networks to link people who want to swap their skills and goods - no currency transaction required. Useful if you have capacity and an interesting alternative to investment.
3. Start Up Loans: A government-funded scheme to provide loans and mentors for entrepreneurs. The project is championed by Lord Young, who identified that if entrepreneurialism was as entrenched into the British mentality as it is in the United States we would have 900,000 more jobs in the UK. The scheme has lent more than £115 million since its conception and backs an average of 41 businesses per day. Interested? Your business must be less than 12 months old, or 24 months under special circumstances.
4. Nesta: Nesta is an innovation charity, dedicated to supporting ideas from early stage investment to in-depth research and practical programmes. Nesta has sponsored and mentored creative and inventive graduates in the UK. One such is Jane Ni Dhulcaointinght, whose business, Sugra, produces a pliable waterproof substance that can be used to customise, repair or reinvent everyday objects. Sugru is now used by more than 60,000 people in 100+ countries around the world and the company has since opened its own factory in London.
5. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs): The go-to champions of small businesses in the UK. As well as providing training, networking and local promotion possibilities, a new campaign for £2 million to help micro-businesses and sole traders increase their online presence has been launched.
6. Virgin Start Up: What entrepreneur doesn’t want a bit of the Branson magic? Virgin StartUp is a not-for-profit organisation that helps entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in England with the small business funding, resources and advice they need to make their business a reality. Mentors and advice are provided at every stage, the website has heaps of useful information and live events are run throughout the UK. They have funded more than 100 businesses since launch in late 2013 to the tune of £600 million. Check out their toolkit; packed with useful advice for every stage of business.
7. Tech City UK Programmes: For digital businesses, there's a range of services designed to drive growth - from online courses to competitions and clusters. Some of Britain's most successful digital companies have already participated.

8. UKTI: Arrange a face-to-face meeting with an export adviser. On average, companies earn £100k in additional sales within 18 months of working with UKTI, and the advice given by trade experts is free.
9. Prime: For over 50s entrepreneurs. The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is the only national organisation dedicated to providing everyone over 50, who is unemployed or under threat of redundancy, with the support to achieve financial, social and personal fulfilment through self-employment. With high-profile ambassadors such as Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire’s Carl Hopkins and The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer, Prime has helped a huge range of businesses; from dog food to cake making companies, all helmed by talented over 50s.
10. The Prince’s Trust: The Prince's Trust supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed, and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. Now in its 38th year, the Trust has recently announced partnerships with M&S and will.i.am to offer extra support in the areas of digital skills and employability. Support provided by the Trust includes free training courses, brand new experiences, support, mentoring and finance opportunities.
11. UK Business Angels Association: Business Angels provide capital for businesses, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity.

12. GrowthAccelerator: GrowthAccelerator is now part of the Business Growth Service, a government-backed scheme offering support to businesses with the potential to improve and grow. It offers business planning, coaching and access to skills and funding for a small fee (between £600 and £3,000 depending on the size of your business) which is deductable from your VAT bill. It claims to help businesses grow 4 x faster.
13. Oxford University Entrepreneurs: One of the UK’s student entrepreneurial incubators that has inspired many other universities to follow suit. Oxford Entrepreneurs established the Oxford Entrepreneurs Incubation Centre in 2009 for student startups in a space provided by the institution. Successes include Plink – a mobile app that recognises well-known artworks – which was Google's first ever UK acquisition.
14. co.uk: A brilliant resource for any budding entrepreneur. Full of inspiring stories, links to businesses which can help you grow and a must-read news section covering most business sectors and services. Connect with them on social to get the latest updates.
15. Growth Vouchers: Your business could receive a voucher of up to £2,000 to help finance advice on how to market, attract and keep customers.

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