Ready For Business



Ready for Business offers new start-up businesses the best preparation for success via expert support, advice and training, leading to the development of a robust business plan in preparation for external funding and future business success.

It's a unique, new business start-up programme offering potential start-up businesses the opportunity to get ready for success through proper training, support, advice and commercial investment. It provides a bespoke package of services from a leading business support organisation in your area that will guide you in the development of a structured business plan – tailored specifically for your business – to act as a springboard for your future business success, as well as improve the chances of loan funding being secured. Ready for Business is a national programme targeted specifically at those areas of the country that have been, or are likely to be, disproportionately affected by the downturn in the economy. Ready for Business is a comprehensive programme of thorough business support and training, delivered by proven, specialist business support organisations across England. The stages include:

A FREE introductory one-day event – the Barclays Get Ready for Business Seminar - which covers the fundamentals of setting up in business including financial forecasting, taxation/VAT, marketing and business planning. Individuals who meet certain criteria will then be invited to participate in the next stage of the programme (subject to client contribution) which includes:

One-to-one assessment with an experienced, independent business adviser, with the production of an individual action plan tailored to your business idea An intensive support programme, including guidance, advice and peer learning, leading to the development of a robust business plan Dedicated support in an application for external funding Ongoing support after business start-up Each part of the programme must be successfully completed in order for a participant to become a certificated graduate, able to then apply to associated providers of investment funding who are pre-disposed to viewing your application in a positive light, coming from an ‘investment-ready’ start-up business.

Whilst funding is not guaranteed, there is an increased likelihood of obtaining funds if requested through Ready for Business, due to the strength of a robust business plan developed as part of this programme, created with support from expert business advisers.

For more information, see: www.startupedge.co.uk