Start up support
Looking to start a business in Surrey?
We can provide help and support to turn your idea into a reality.
Get in touch for free advice and start-up support from our team of business experts.
Why start a business in Surrey?
From a fantastic location with excellent links to London and beyond to a highly-skilled workforce driving world-class innovation, there are many reasons to start a business here.
Our region accounts for 14% of all business births in the South East.
And with a business survival rate of nearly 90%, itโs clear we have all the ingredients for your business to be successful in Surrey.
Looking for help on getting started? Contact our team of experts who can provide helpful guides and advice when starting out.
Business Surrey support form
Nine steps to starting a business
1. Think of an idea
2. Research the market
3. Decide on your legal structure
4. Develop a business plan
5. Sort out legal affairs and permits
6. Secure finance and funding
7. Develop your brand and online presence
8. Market your business
9. Secure your first sales
Help and advice
Starting and growing a business is not easy. There are many issues that may crop up which you may not have thought about or dealt with before.
Some of the most common themes include:
- Marketing, promotion and sales
- Legal and regulatory support
- Access to funding
- Innovation and technology
- Going green
- Export and import
- Talent, recruitment and apprenticeships
- Leadership, management and transformation
The key thing to remember is that you are not alone and thereโs lots of help out there. Sometimes you just need to ask โ which is where Business Surrey comes in.
Contact us
How we can help
Business Surrey is committed to helping businesses in Surrey get the right kind of advice and support.
You can also find practical support and information in the Setting Up section of the Governmentโs website.
Business support directory
Find the expert support your business needs via our online directory of local, regional and national support.
Events and workshops
Connect and network with like-minded people. There are dozens of events and training sessions on our events page.
One-to-one support
Looking to fast-track your business growth? Get tailored free business advice from our expert Growth Hub team.
Meet the experts
William Wilsnagh | Business Advisor
Expert Business Advisor with over 30 years of business experience including ownership and various executive leadership roles.
Meet William
Suzie Newbold | Business Advisor
Expert business advisor for Business Surrey’s Growth Hub service, with more than 25 years of commercial experience working in large and small businesses, as well as her own start up.
Meet Suzie
Renรฉe Canter | Gateway Officer
As Gateway & Monitoring Officer at Business Surrey, Renรฉe is the first point of call for businesses across Surrey looking for free advice and support to thrive.
Meet RenรฉeUpcoming events
AI in Surrey 2025 | Tech Summit
Surrey Chambers of Commerce and its executive partners INV Group, Fluid One and Royal Holloway University are excited to announce a first of its kind AI summit for business leaders in Surrey and the Southeast. The event will be held at the Shilling Building on the campus of Royal Holloway University, Egham, Surrey.
15 May 2025 @ 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
LinkedIn Made Easy Workshop
Are you a business owner or professional who knows LinkedIn has huge opportunities โ but feels lost, overwhelmed, or short on time? Attend this session with the Marketing Lab.
1 May 2025 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Preparing Your Business for Sale
Discover how to properly prepare a business for sale with Surrey Chambers member Ollie West from Pro-actionsโ in Surrey and Hayley Pope, Partner at GTP Accounting & Business Services in Farnham
22 May 2025 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm