General business support 

The AUB Innovation Studio Residency Programme is to help you develop your ideas into a business or a creative career.  Designed to support both pre-start-ups and small businesses seeking support, the Residency Programme delivered by Arts University Bournemouth will help you design your product or service, trial and prove ideas and concepts with potential users, build and test prototypes, create a robust business plan and build a network setting you up for success.

Please see the link below for more information:

https://aub.ac.uk/innovation-studio/residency-programme

The mission of the Dorset Growth Hub is to support businesses that want to grow, increase employment, improve the competitiveness of Dorset businesses and encourage inward investment to the county. Their specialists provide guidance and information on all aspects of business, including taking your first steps in the commercial world, how to find the right finance, and making best use of today’s digital marketing tools. 

Since its official launch in early 2019, Evolve has created a thriving community and become a trusted partner and ally in guiding business leaders and entrepreneurs on their personal and business journeys. Evolve support a community of business leaders with monthly peer groups, coaching sessions and team training, as well as providing a co-working hub, regular events, webinars, insights, articles and a weekly podcast.

https://evolvemembers.com/

Membership organisation, Networking, ESG Programme, International Trade.

https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/

Low Carbon Dorset is a five-year programme of activities to help stimulate growth in Dorset’s low carbon economy and reduce the county’s footprint. They offer FREE technical support and grant funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Low Carbon Dorset helps businesses, community, and public sector organisations in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. The programme is run by Dorset Council (DC) and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It aims to help improve your energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy, and aid the development of new low carbon products.

https://www.lowcarbondorset.org.uk/

You can contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free advice.

https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline

Business support and advice, business rates, licences and permits, food safety and standards, trading standards, starting & growing your business, grants, get your business online, whistleblowing.

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Business/Business.aspx

Business rates, business support and advice, commercial waste, county farms, digital Dorset, Dorset property, economic development, licences and permits, trading standards, 5G RuralDorset.

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/business-consumers-licences/business-consumers-and-licences

Dorset Business Mentors (formerly DorMen) is an acknowledged centre of excellence linking accomplished business leaders as mentors to businesses, charities and social enterprises in Dorset who want to realise their full potential.  

https://dorsetbusinessmentors.uk/

Find the support to help your business scale

https://www.scaleupinstitute.org.uk/

Targeted support and guidance for UK business leaders looking to improve including tools, guides, mentoring, boards and bootcamps.

https://www.bethebusiness.com/

Get the right support to start and grow your business

Whether you’re launching a new business or developing an existing one, Enterprise Nation connects you to the resources and expertise to help you succeed.

https://www.enterprisenation.com/

Reduce energy costs and cut carbon.

Make sure your business has the knowledge and support it needs as the UK economy decarbonises.

Information, guides, support, access to finance.

https://zerocarbonbusiness.uk/

Join thousands of businesses tackling climate change.

Begin your journey to reduce emissions with free tools and resources.

https://smeclimatehub.org/

Access to co-working space or join as a virtual member with access to Mentoring and Coaching, Deals & Offers, Events, Workshops & Training, National Network, Prototyping Network, Support & Insights, Demo Directory, Industry Programmes, Female Founders Collective.

https://labs.uk.barclays/

Access to support programmes and resources including access to a community, business mentoring, accelerator programmes and experts.

https://www.natwest.com/business/running-your-business/community-mentorship.html

The government-backed Help to Grow: Management course will open the door to growth for thousands of business leaders.

Delivered by leading UK business schools accredited to the Small Business Charter, Help To Grow: Management includes 50 hours of in-depth training, 1:1 business mentoring, and the opportunity to grow your business.

Click here to find out more. 

Led by Hatty Fawcett, this organisation focuses on demystifying the process of, and breaking down barriers to, raising investment. With a range of programmes they have helped founders get investor-ready and grow their businesses.

Click here to find out more.