Idea to first customers. The goal is simple: prove it works before you run out of money.
Companies House registration takes 24 hours and costs £50. Do it before you start trading — it protects your name, gives you a legal entity for contracts, and is required for SEIS/EIS fundraising.
Read the guide →Keep your business and personal finances completely separate from day one. You'll need a business account before taking any revenue or investment — most can be set up online in under an hour.
Read the guide →You don't need an agency. A landing page that clearly explains what you do and captures email addresses is enough to start. Framer, Webflow or even Notion work fine at this stage.
Read the guide →Sort your company structure, shareholder agreement, and IP assignment before anything else. Mistakes here are expensive to unwind.
Read the guide →Get HMRC approval before you raise a penny. It makes your raise dramatically easier — investors get 50% income tax relief and it costs nothing to apply.
Read the guide →Don't build in the dark. Validate fast with real users before writing more code.
Read the guide →The loneliest mistake is building alone. A co-founder gives you resilience, complementary skills, and someone to hold you accountable.
Read the guide →Building before talking is the most expensive startup mistake. 15 to 20 structured conversations will tell you more than six months of building in the dark.
Read the guide →Not a 40-page homework assignment. A one-page plan forces clarity and you'll need it for bank accounts, grant applications, and early investor conversations.
Read the guide →Non-dilutive money exists and most founders don't look for it. Innovate UK alone distributes hundreds of millions a year to early-stage UK companies.
Read the guide →Answer five questions and get matched to the investors, accelerators, and grants that fit your stage and sector.
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