Be the Business
Be the Business is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, with a single goal: to help business owners and leaders improve the performance of their business.
Support Directory
We work with other organisations across the nations and regions of the UK in order to maximise the benefits and opportunities available to our members.
Please note we are not responsible for the content of third party websites and assume no liability for your usage of their services.
Growth
Help to Grow: Management
The Help to Grow: Management Course supports senior managers of SMEs to boost their business’s performance, resilience, and long-term growth. The 12-week programme provides a combination of online sessions and face-to-face learning. The cost to attend is also 90% funded by the Government and courses are available across the UK starting in April and May.
Eagle Labs
A network of coworking spaces, mentors and learning tools, as well as our events and growth programmes for ambitious businesses, helps the UK’s startup community scale and succeed.
Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is a network of trusted business support. Find advisers, learn from in-depth content and go to local events.
Tax
R&D Tax Relief
Research and Development (R&D) reliefs support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology. It can be claimed by a range of companies that seek to research or develop an advance in their field. It can even be claimed on unsuccessful projects.
Patent Box Scheme
The Patent Box is designed to encourage companies to keep and commercialise intellectual property in the UK. It allows companies to apply a lower rate of Corporation Tax to profits earned from its patented inventions.
Super-deduction
From 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim: a 130% super-deduction capital allowance on qualifying plant and machinery investments a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets.
Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
ou can claim capital allowances on items that you keep to use in your business - these are known as ‘plant and machinery’. In most cases you can deduct the full cost of these items from your profits before tax using annual investment allowance (AIA).
Employment Allowance
Employment Allowance allows eligible employers to reduce their annual National Insurance liability by up to £4,000.
Enterprise Zones
Enterprise Zones are designated areas across England that provide tax breaks and Government support.
R&D and Innovation
UK Research and Innovation
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK. Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than £6 billion, UKRI brings together the 7 Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England.
Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult drives early adoption of artificial intelligence, immersive and future networks technologies to make UK businesses more competitive and productive, and to grow the country’s economy.
Innovate UK Edge
Innovate UK EDGE brings a range of services to help ambitious, small to medium sized businesses scale and grow with intensive, specialist-led support.
Exports
Export Support Service
The Export Support Service is a new helpline and online service where all UK businesses can get answers to practical questions about exporting. It gives access to cross government information and support all in one place.
UK Export Academy
The UK Export Academy, from the Department for International Trade (DIT), gives small and micro-businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence.
International Trade Adviser
An International Trade Adviser can help you develop your export strategy, access training masterclasses, link you to specialist export advisers and help you grow your business overseas.
UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK government’s export credit agency and helps exporters access finance and insurance when there is a lack of private sector risk appetite or capacity.
DIT Events and Trade Missions
DIT's calendar of events is updated regularly with both UK and overseas events as well as overseas missions.
Internationalisation Fund
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has launched its new Internationalisation Fund for eligible businesses in England. Match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 will be available for future activity (subject to eligibility and availability).
Talent and Skills
TechSkills
TechSkills is a not-for-profit, employer-led organisation, responsible for Tech Industry Gold, the industry accreditation for education and training relevant to digital and tech careers.
Apprenticeships
Financial support and help available from the government for recruiting apprenticeships.
National College for Digital Skills: ADA
Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, offers a career-catapulting, industry focused education that is free to attend.
Code Club
Code Club is a global network of free coding clubs for 9- to 13-year-olds.
Data Skills Portal
The Data Skills Portal provides a self-assessment tool to help businesses understand their organisational and technical readiness with respect to data. It will then signpost them to relevant resources and training to improve their capability across four dimensions of data readiness, including Use of Data, Culture and Governance, Skills, and Tools.
Finance and Funding
British Business Bank
British Business Bank design, deliver and manage finance programmes for the UK government to increase the supply of finance to smaller businesses.
Business Support and Finance Finder
Find government-backed support and finance for businesses.
Venture Capital Schemes
There are 4 schemes designed to help small or medium sized companies and social enterprises grow by attracting investment. They offer tax reliefs to individuals who buy and hold new shares, bonds or assets for a specific period of time.
Small Business Commissioner
The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body set up by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector. The SBC covers the whole of the UK - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sustainability
SME Climate Hub
Tools and resources to help SMEs take concrete steps towards climate action.
Regional
Growth Hubs
The network of 38 Growth Hubs are local public/private sector partnerships led by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). They join up national and local business support so it is easy for businesses to find the help they need.
Enterprise Northern Ireland
Enterprise Northern Ireland (ENI) represents Local Enterprise Agencies to support and develop SMEs.
Business Wales
Business Wales is a free service that provides impartial, independent support and advice to people starting, running and growing a business in Wales.
Scottish Enterprise
Scotland's business advice, support and funding agency.
For more information please contact:
Ed Bevan
Ed is Head of SME Engagement and is responsible for shaping techUK’s proposition to our SMEs across the country, ensuring our policy work, market access activity and services benefit the SME community.