Start Up September returns in 2026!
Offering free support to aspiring business owners across Sussex and the South East
Start Up September, our annual campaign dedicated to helping new and aspiring business owners take their first steps into entrepreneurship, is back for 2026. The campaign returns at a time when business confidence, support and funding is increasingly uncertain nationwide, with many regional support schemes unable to meet the growing demand from UK businesses who struggle with rising costs, lower consumer spending and aspiring entrepreneurs might be discouraged from taking the leap.
Against this backdrop, Start Up September continues to offer a full month of free and low-cost resources, workshops and expert guidance, giving people thinking about starting a business somewhere to turn to that doesn't come with a hefty price tag or commitment – offering friendly, honest advice and free tools to support their business growth.
Learning opportunities through Ready for Biz and Her Biz
This year's campaign includes two established workshop programmes, Ready for Biz and Her Biz, both of which run on a pay-what-you-can basis. This model means participants can access the same standard of professional business support and guidance that would typically come at a much higher cost if sought privately, but at a price that works for them — making it a genuinely accessible starting point for anyone exploring a business idea. Exploring topics from business planning and strategy to marketing, finance and accounting, both workshops offer the opportunity to learn from an expert business coach and network with other aspiring entrepreneurs while gaining the confidence to turn their idea into a real business.
Free in-person workshops with Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
New for 2026, Start Up September will also see a series of free, in-person workshop sessions delivered by members of Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, covering some of the most common challenges new business owners face. Sessions include:
HR and Finance Survival Guide for SMEs
Branding and Customer Loyalty
Accounting
These sessions also offer aspiring business owners the opportunity to get involved with the local business community in Hastings, meeting other local business owners and learning about the support available in the area and through Hastings Chamber.
Free 30-minute drop-in clinics
For those who want more tailored advice, we’re offering free 30-minute drop-in ‘Ask the Expert’ clinics, held online throughout September. Attendees can book time with a range of experts, including:
Business consultants
Marketing experts
Business planning and support specialists
Start-up finance specialists
Business development advisers
Free templates and resources
Alongside the workshops and clinics, Start Up September will provide a bank of free downloadable templates designed to help take the guesswork out of the early stages of starting a business, including:
Business plan templates
Cash flow forecast templates
Marketing strategy templates
And more!
Making the first step less daunting
Starting a business can feel overwhelming, and for many people, simply knowing where to begin is the biggest barrier of all. Start Up September exists to change that, bringing together free and affordable support in one place, so that exploring an idea for the first time feels achievable rather than intimidating.
For many participants, this campaign offers a natural first point of contact: a low-risk, low-cost way to test an idea, build confidence and start building the right foundations. From there, those who want to go further can be signposted to additional support, including funding options, to help them take their business idea from concept to reality and beyond.
Start Up September 2026 runs throughout September. Full details of workshops, clinics and how to book are available at https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/start-up-september
