Celebrating 10 years of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre

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The British Library’s Business & IP Centre has been helping people turn great ideas into businesses for over ten years now. So to celebrate 10 successful years the Library is holding a day of free workshops, talks and events on everything, from raising cash to getting your business online. If you’ve ever had an idea for a business but are not sure what steps to take you can attend ‘Start-up Day’ on 27 September to meet like-minded people, chat to experts and hear from new ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’, Julie Deane OBE (Founder of the Cambridge Satchel Company), who will be talking about how she started a business from her kitchen table.

Don’t miss out – book your place today!IP_2

Since its launch in 2006 over 500,000 people have come through the doors of the Centre to learn how to start and grow a successful business.  Would-be entrepreneurs can develop their ideas with free access to market research and company databases, learn vital new skills at workshops or mini-masterclasses or book a confidential one-to-one advice clinic.

The Centre also hosts some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs including Lord Sugar; Nick Robertson OBE, co-founder and CEO of ASOS; Kanya King MBE, founder of the MOBO Awards; Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks and Deborah Meaden of Dragons’ Den at their ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ event series.

In addition, the IP_1Centre also supports ambitious business owners, with plans to scale up, giving them over £10,000 worth of free support through the Innovating for Growth programme. A programme that has helped 275 businesses go from a start-up to successful growth business.

What’s more, there are eight National Network Centres around the UK – so you can get support and advice setting up a business even if you’re not London-based.