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Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship

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Are you suited to self-employment?

Self employment is a realistic option for graduates. If you are considering it, the first thing you need to do is seriously think about whether you have the right personal qualities to make a go of this option.

The Royal Bank of Scotland's 'starting your business' pages may be useful. They include a 'personal profile' test which may help you to determine your entrepreneurial potential and raise issues you haven't considered.

Considering setting up a business in Wales?

The Welsh Development Agency is a sponsored body of the Welsh Assembly Government. It is the Economic Development Agency for Wales and helps businesses to start, develop and grow. This site links to practical sources of support and funding.

Business Eye operates as an entry point for all business support enquiries in Wales. It provides free information and signposting for businesses or potential businesses, and if appropriate, put you in contact with support from the private, public or voluntary sectors.

The Business Information Gateway for Wales (BIG Wales) website brings together many useful contacts for those considering starting their own business or already running a small business. It has referral points for business plans, finding finance, legal basics for new businesses, and also has suggestions on how to find out whether starting your own business is right for you. This site is most relevant to those in Wales, but the practical support is useful to all.

Extra support for recent graduates
The Graduating to Enterprise (G2E) programme is funded by the Welsh Development Agency and is open to anyone in Wales who has been in Further or Higher Education within the last three years and is interested in setting up their own business. It offers workshops, mentoring, access to specialist advice and runs 'business start up' weeks.
Extra support for 18-30s
If you are you aged 18-30, unemployed, have an idea for a business but can't raise all the money you need from anywhere else, The Princes Trust could help you get started.

We would also encourage you to visit your University Careers Website. University Careers Websites have a lot of information for their graduates which may be of help to you.