Find support with a purpose
Explore your support options.
Compare accelerators, investor residencies, specialist networks and practical advice. Answer the assessment for a shortlist matched to your business.
Inclusion is not a finding of eligibility, a recommendation to accept investment, or confirmation of open applications. Check current terms, costs, location and criteria with each provider.
Help to Grow: Management
Management training, mentoring and a growth plan for UK business leaders. Provider checks include 5–249 employees, over a year operating, a management layer and organisation type. A joining fee applies.
Next step: Check all eligibility criteria and the current fee with your chosen business school.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Techscaler
Scottish technology startup support combining education, mentoring and community. Membership is free; workspace tenancy costs can apply.
Next step: Explore membership and ask which pathway fits your current stage.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
SETsquared business acceleration
Incubation and acceleration for original knowledge-based technology ventures with high growth potential. Centre, package and entry criteria vary.
Next step: Discuss your technology, customer evidence and centre participation requirements before applying.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Barclays Eagle Labs Entrepreneur Academy
Free online courses helping technology founders start, develop and scale their businesses.
Next step: Select a course addressing your first action, then apply the learning to your own business.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Business Support Service and local growth hubs
A starting point for local advice, support and specialist signposting.
Next step: Ask an adviser which local support fits your current priority.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Business Gateway
Scottish business advice, learning and local support connections.
Next step: Contact your local team with the first action in this plan.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Business Wales
Welsh business guidance and routes to advice for starting and growing.
Next step: Ask for support aligned with your stage and priority.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
nibusinessinfo and local business support
Northern Ireland guidance and routes to startup and growth support.
Next step: Use the support finder or adviser service to identify a suitable route.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
NatWest Accelerator
An entrepreneur community with learning, connections and growth support. Check current access and delivery with the provider.
Next step: Explore the current community offer and compare it with your available time.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Innovate UK business innovation support
Specialist routes to innovation, commercialisation, collaboration and growth support. Services and eligibility vary.
Next step: Discuss the commercial milestone and evidence needed for your innovation.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Your current programme, mentor or alumni network
Build on support you already have by bringing a concrete decision and evidence to your next discussion.
Next step: Share your first action and ask for one focused introduction or challenge.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
A focused mentoring or adviser session
Work through one decision, identify missing evidence and agree an accountable next step.
Next step: Prepare a one-page brief using the mentoring worksheet; find a relevant adviser through your local support service.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
SME leadership and business-school programme comparison
Compare management and strategy learning for established businesses. Fees, entry criteria and time commitments vary by course.
Next step: Ask providers for an SME participant profile, timetable and a course addressing your specific decision.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
A practical customer validation sprint
A short customer experiment can create the evidence you need before joining a programme or committing more resources.
Next step: Use the value proposition worksheet to plan five conversations and record what changes.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
An internal 90-day delivery sprint
Coordinate owners, milestones and review meetings around one measurable business outcome.
Next step: Bring your leadership team together to agree the first milestone and the work to defer.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Independent growth-planning toolkit
A practical route for developing your own plan, with customer evidence, priorities and a regular review.
Next step: Choose one outcome and use the linked worksheet to define a test.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-16. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Techstars accelerators
Intensive, mentor-led programmes for early-stage startups, with sector and location-specific options. Investment and equity terms apply; compare the current programme carefully.
Next step: Compare a relevant programme, its investment terms and location requirements against your customer evidence and capacity.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Startupbootcamp industry accelerators
Sector-focused startup acceleration with mentoring, industry connections and international programme locations. Cohorts, investment terms and participation requirements vary.
Next step: Check sector fit, current cohort status, location and any equity or financial commitments before applying.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Antler UK founder residency
An inception-stage investor and full-time London residency for founders building a new venture. This is an investment route, with selection, team formation and equity terms.
Next step: Read the current residency, right-to-work and investment criteria. Confirm whether forming a founding team and full-time attendance fit your situation.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Foundervine programme directory
A directory of founder development, acceleration and growth programmes. Individual schemes can have specific founder, business-stage, location or age criteria; some cohorts may be closed.
Next step: Choose a relevant scheme and check its eligibility and application window directly. Your assessment has not checked personal eligibility.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
E-Spark business acceleration
Coaching and development programmes for founders and business leaders, supporting commercial growth and leadership. Access depends on the programme and delivery partner.
Next step: Ask which current programme fits your business stage, location and leadership challenge, including fees and time commitment.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.
Social Enterprise UK network and support
A specialist network and support route for social enterprises. Membership and other opportunities have their own requirements and costs.
Next step: Check the membership offer and ask for introductions or support relevant to your social enterprise growth priority.
Visit the provider or guidance →Source checked 2026-10-17. Independent directory; no affiliation implied.