Writing a plan? Securing funding?

criboo

Hey everyone,

I'm presently a university student who is interested in going into business after I graduate and I have a few ideas floating around my head, but really I have no idea where to start, but feel I should while I don't need to worry too much about my income.

My questions really relate to the basics of forming a business:

- Writing a business plan, where should I start, are there any particularly good online sources to help tell me how to format it and what I need to cover etc?

- Funding - is the bank the only real route to initial funds, I have very limited savings. I am from and living in Scotland, I know the government (both UK and Scottish) are keen to get young people to start a business themselves and generally offer some assistance, would I be applicable for anything when I graduate aged 21?

I would be selling purely online and need to source various goods from various places, does anyone have any advice for when it comes to finding supplier's and setting up a supply chain, how should I approach suppliers?

Anything that could help take my idea from just that to a tangible thing is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Chris

colino

Best thing to do when you are back home is check out Business Gateway. It is the current start-up and support service for people in your shoes.

meanbean

Banks tend to offer loans. There were recently some gov grants about for young people (18-30) so you would qualify agewise, although I don't know anything about the application and screening process.

You could follow @E_Nation, @startupbritain and @BusinessLinkGov on Twitter, they often promote such grants.