Start a new business

One of our key objectives is to help and support people who want to start their own business.  We do this by providing advice, guidance, training, access to information and discretionary funding.

The business start-up programme, which is part of our free, confidential business advice service consists of:-

• A one-to-one meeting with a business adviser, followed by;
  
• A three-day business planning workshop, which aims to provide the basic marketing and financial skills required to develop a business plan
  
• Access to free of charge training courses
  
• Marketing and e-business advice
  
• Networking meetings which give you the opportunity to market your business and share experiences and knowledge with others going through the business start-up process
  
• Preparation of your business plan - after attending the three-day business planning workshop you can talk to your adviser again who can help when preparing your business plan.

Your business adviser will go over the things you need to be aware of when starting up in business and will discuss whether or not your project is eligible for funding from the local enterprise company.

Our funding is 'discretionary' but in some instances we can offer a monthly allowance to help towards the start-up costs of the business.

If you would like to speak to a business adviser, please contact your local office:

Inverness: Tel (01463) 713504

Invergordon: Tel (01349) 853666

Aviemore: Tel (01479) 810188

For business planning workshop dates, please use the link below.