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Start-up business ideas
Guides and tools to help you find and develop ideas for ways to start up your own business in Northern Ireland
Hire professional services
Guides on how and why to hire professional service providers to help your business in the startup phase
Business planning
Guides on how to create a business plan for your startup and how business plans can be useful at different stages of your business
Patents, trade marks, copyright and design
How to protect and register different types of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade marks, design and copyright
Record-keeping
Guidance on record-keeping for businesses including how to set up a basic system and free templates
Employment in your construction business
Guides to help constructions businesses understand their obligations and duty of care to employees
Claim VAT refunds in Northern Ireland or the EU, if you’re established in Northern Ireland or in the EU
How Northern Ireland and EU businesses can claim refunds of VAT incurred on goods in the EU and Northern Ireland using the EU VAT refund system.
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
You must arrange to pay your tax bill with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you either miss a payment or know you cannot pay on time
Orphan works licensing scheme
Overview of the UK's orphan works licensing scheme run by the Intellectual Property Office
Types of orphan works licences: commercial and non-commercial
Orphan works licence can be for non-commercial use or for commercial purposes - both types can last for up to seven years
Apply for a licence to use orphan works in the UK
How to apply for a licence to reproduce orphan works lawfully under the UK Intellectual Property Office's licensing scheme
Carry out a diligent search for the right holders
How to complete a diligent search for right holder(s) of orphaned works before applying for an orphan works licence
Orphan works complaints and appeals
Advice for orphan works right holders or licence applicants on appealing against a decision by the IPO
Orphan works: guidance for right holders
How right holders for an orphan work can contact the IPO and what to do if your work is licensed as an orphan work
Register a trade mark in the UK
Apply to the Intellectual Property Office to register your trade mark in the UK
Starting a business - find a case study
A range of case studies from local entrepreneurs who have started successful businesses
Drive business growth through efficiency
Video tutorial on growing your business through increased efficiency
The Patent Box
How to apply a lower rate of Corporation Tax to profits earned from patented inventions and certain other innovations
Design support for your business
Find out where you can get support and funding for your business' design projects
Sources of advice and design information
Find advice and help to make your small business' design project a success