Start Up September®… returning in 2026!
Start Up September® returns every year to highlight the support and resources available for aspiring entrepreneurs in the South East and East of England.
Each year, we highlight events taking place across the South of England, as well as where to find support to help your business start up and grow.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on our social media channels, where we’ll be sharing even more helpful content and inspiring stories from business owners just like you!
Each #StartUpSeptember, there are free events and expert consultations on offer, and we share daily tips, tricks and opportunities on our social media channels!
Start Up September® is the place to visit if you need support for your business. Wherever you’re based, Let’s Do Business Group and our partners across the region can connect you with the support you need to launch, grow and thrive.
Stay tuned to find out what #StartUpSeptember2026 has in store - and if you’re an organisation looking to get involved with the next annual campaign and want to help us support even more business, get in touch with our team!
Start Up September® 2025: A month of supporting new businesses!
In September 2025, Let’s Do Business Group proudly delivered another successful Start Up September® campaign, supporting new and small businesses across the South and East of England. A record month in delivering over £722,000 in Start Up Loans and supporting over 200 new businesses in their ambitions, September 2025 saw another successful Start Up September® from Let’s Do Business Group.
To be the first to hear about Start Up September® 2026, sign up to our newsletter!
What’s on this #StartUpSeptember
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Events
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Free Drop-in Clinics
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Free Resources
Upcoming Events
Start-Up Training and Courses
Pay-what-you-can courses to support those starting a business
Ready for Biz
A practical and supportive 2-day workshop for anyone considering self-employment or launching a new business. Led by an experienced business coach and supported by specialist guest presenters, the programme covers the key areas every new business owner needs to understand.
Thursday 17th & Friday 18th September
9.30 am - 2.30 pm
Location: The Palace Workspace, Hastings
Cost: Pay what you can
Her Biz
This inspiring programme has been specifically created to help encourage women to set up a new business. From refining your business idea to marketing and managing your finances, we can help you prepare to successfully start your business.
Friday 9th, 16th and 23rd October
9.30 am - 12.30 pm
Location: 3 × 3hr sessions online
Cost: Pay what you can
Free Expert Sessions
Designed for both start-up and established businesses, led by experts from a range of sectors
Marketing Training
Affordable marketing training designed specifically for SMEs and growing businesses by Let’s Do Marketing.
Free Drop-in Clinics
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Bill Neech
BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Bill Neech established Sands & Co Business Consultancy to help businesses across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Essex become more profitable, better organised and well positioned for sustainable growth.
Known for his straightforward, jargon-free approach, Bill works alongside business owners to help them solve challenges, make confident decisions and turn ideas into action.
As part of the Start-Up September event, Bill will be hosting 30-minute Drop-In Clinics at the end of the programme. The sessions are designed to help attendees reflect on what they've learned throughout the month, identify their priorities and leave with practical next steps they can implement with confidence.
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Stacey Pretty
MARKETING SUPPORT
Stacey is the Marketing Director at Let’s Do Marketing and is an experienced Marketeer, working in a variety of marketing and communication roles for nearly 2 decades.
Having worked in both B2B and B2C environments she has experience in managing, creating, and promoting a variety of products and services using both online and offline marketing tools.
Passionate about effective communication and always set on providing the best customer experience her biggest strengths are her organisational skills and ability to hunt down the most logical solution to any problem.
Key areas of support: Marketing Strategy/Campaign planning, Email Marketing, SEO/ Website Content, Content/Blog Writing, and Customer Journey/ Lifecycle
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Kerry Madge
MARKETING SUPPORT
Kerry is the Marketing Executive at Let’s Do Marketing, and with just under a decade of experience working with businesses big and small, she loves getting stuck into a project and using her flair and enthusiasm to concoct creative solutions to marketing problems.
With a BA in Marketing Management, social media advertising, graphic design, and copywriting are her specialties, and she’s passionate about helping you reach your goals one design and post at a time.
A jack-of-all-trades, Kerry uses her experience to help small businesses see their unique big picture - and loves helping them create a marketing strategy to get there!
Key areas of support: Social Media Marketing & Strategy, Social Media Paid Advertising, Email marketing, Copywriting, Graphic Design & Video Editing, and Web Design
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Chris Wardle
FINANCE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Chris spent 35 years at Lloyds Banking Group, building deep expertise supporting SMEs through every stage of their journey, from first-time borrowers to established businesses planning their next phase of growth.
Now Business Development Lead at Let's Do Business Group, Chris works closely with start-ups and established businesses alike, helping them understand and access the business finance options available to take their venture to the next level.
As part of Start-Up September, Chris will be hosting 30-minute Drop-In Clinics to give businesses the chance to discuss their financing options one-to-one and leave with clear next steps.
Key areas of support: Business Finance, Start Up Loans, SME Lending, Financial Planning, and Access to Funding
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![Rupert Kirby Let's Do Business Group]()
Rupert Kirby
START UP BUSINESS COACH / ESTABLISHED BUSINESS ADVISOR
Rupert is one of our expert business coaches and support advisors, having supported thousands of businesses to start up and grow over his career. Having also worked in business banking before joining Let’s Do Business Group, he specialises in helping new businesses figure out how to get going and grow.
As part of Start Up September 2026, Rupert is available for free 30-minute consultations on everything from exploring a new business idea, creating a business plan and getting advice on the legal side of starting a business. He’s also on hand to support businesses that have been operating for a number of years that want to have their questions answered - on anything from finance and sales to business strategy.
