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External research and development
How to outsource your research and development and the benefits of commissioning it externally
Managing the design process
Understand the steps you should take when trying to turn an idea into a product
Eliminating ideas that are not viable
Understanding when a product will not be viable is important to prevent wasting time and money
Exploring your ideas
How to innovate and develop your business ideas
UK economic interest groupings
Guidance on UK economic interest groupings (UKEIG) and European economic interest groupings (EEIG) business entities.
Step-by-step guide to starting a business
What to do when starting a business, including advice on business plans, financial and legal requirements
Get the skills to start a business when unemployed
How find sources of training and support to get the experience and confidence to start your own business.
How to get from unemployed to self-employed
Information and advice on how to get started in business when you are unemployed and key questions to consider.
Finding a business idea when unemployed
Tips and resources to help you to find a successful business idea, concept, product or service to base your business on.
Commercialisation options for your invention
Three straightforward ways of getting your invention to market: manufacture and sell yourself, license it or collaborate with another business
Naming your business as a sole trader
What you can and cannot name your company as a sole trader, including words you need permission to use
Naming your business partnership
What you can and cannot name your business partnership in the UK, including words you need permission to use
Setting up a business partnership
The steps you need to follow to create and set up a business partnership and details of how responsibility is shared
Science parks
Support and benefits of science parks, including technology transfer and business incubation
Writing a business plan: 5 top tips
Five key steps that can help you to prepare a successful business plan when you're starting a business.
Support for protecting your ideas
Get professional help from intellectual property advisers, a patent attorney or a trade mark attorney to protect your intellectual property in an invention
Find manufacturers to build a prototype
Sources of information on product designers and manufacturers who can help you develop your invention
Support for product safety and testing
How to arrange product safety assessment, and where to find testing laboratories, services and product certification in the UK
Support for developing your ideas
Where to get help to develop new product ideas if you're looking to manufacture, market, sell or license your inventions
Start a business from home
Guidance and practical tips on starting a home-based business and local support to help establish your home business