Starting a business when unemployed

As you develop your plans to start a business you will find it helpful to get as much advice as possible. Advice and support is available to business start-ups in Northern Ireland from:

• Go Succeed Start experts in your local council will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running - complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for this free advice and guidance.
• Invest NI's regional office network offers training and advisory services to those starting up in business.
• Shell LiveWIRE help 16-30 year olds to start and develop their own businesses and runs an annual national competition for new business start-ups.
• The Prince's Trust provide start-up support including a range of loans and grants to 18-30 year old unemployed entrepreneurs.
• Your solicitor can help with forming a new business and review any legal requirements for your new business - see choose and work with a solicitor.
• Your accountant can help with preparing budgets and cashflow statements when seeking finance - see choose and work with an accountant.
• For ongoing skills and business development you can use our Events Finder for business-related training, workshops, networking and seminars from a variety of organisations.

The Northern Ireland business support finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded and not-for-profit sources of business start-up assistance you may be eligible to apply for. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.