This tag is for questions that relate to doing business in the United Kingdom.
2
votes
3answers
127 views
Sole trader loan
I am thinking of becoming a sole trader. I know as a sole trader I am liable for any debt the company has. Can I place money from my personal account into the business account to start it off? I wish ...
3
votes
1answer
113 views
Operating a UK limited company from California
Hi anyone that can help!
I have a UK limited company which is web based. I am thinking of spending anything upto 12 months in CA and wondered if its legal for me to carry on running my UK business ...
2
votes
3answers
119 views
Payment solutions for the UK [closed]
I'm struggling to find a payment solution for my UK based startup. I don't intend to sell internationally for a considerable amount of time. I do have a turnover and can probably satisfy merchant ...
2
votes
3answers
289 views
Novice questions on starting a business
Lets pretend I'm starting an on line company which sells email accounts; I have some (probably laughable) questions because I'm new to this:
Do I have to register as a business with Companies House ...
2
votes
1answer
198 views
Can a UK Limited company (with standard articles) issue options?
I am about to start a limited company, myself and the other initial shareholders wish to be able to grant options to individuals who contribute significantly.
We understand that we can't issue shares ...
0
votes
2answers
290 views
what should go in a Memorandum of Association?
I'm planning on setting up a new business in the UK and gather I need a "Memorandum of Association". How important is this for a one-man company? Unbelievably, googling it does not yield any example ...
4
votes
2answers
408 views
UK startup bank account for new arrivals
I moved to the UK this week, and want to start a company. A few months ago I registered a Limited Company with Companies House, and I am the sole director of the company.
I was able to open a ...
1
vote
4answers
114 views
Recommendations for good UK based SEO Companies?
Looking to get some SEO work done on our new website. Seems like a bit of a mine field. Can any one please recommend good companies that you have experience of working with (and if you don't mind the ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Looking for startup grants in the UK
I'm looking for grants and funding I may be eligible for in Wales, United Kingdom.
I'm running a web development startup, and I'm after any sort of starting capital.
Preferably a free grant with no ...
2
votes
1answer
588 views
How to hire your first employee in the UK
We are on the brink of hiring our first staff member in the UK.
We know there is a lot of paperwork to be done, but have no idea what that paperwork is and which things are crucial and which are just ...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
I am a US citizen and want to become a partner in a friend's UK startup
I am a US citizen and want to become a partner in a friend's UK startup, helping her start a branch office in the US. What is the best way to proceed with this? What forms need to be filled out?
2
votes
2answers
520 views
Easiest way for UK startup to get onto Microsoft BizSpark program?
For the past few days I have been trying and failing to get onto Microsoft's BizSpark program. I left my day job and incorporated last week and am now setting up my development machines. I really ...
4
votes
3answers
298 views
Recommend a supplier of (UK) template contracts for software development [closed]
I'm looking to purchase a template contract for delivering fixed scope/price software development projects, dealing with IP issues and everything else that needs to be taken into consideration.
I can ...
1
vote
2answers
226 views
UK Ltd company formation agent advice and pitfalls?
I am on the verge of pushing the button and incorporating my startup. I have determined that a UK Ltd company is the right corporate vehicle for me. I have also decided to use a formation service ...
1
vote
4answers
183 views
what is the best way to do a freelancing job over the summer for a student?
I am a full time student, studying in the UK with UK address. I would like to do a one time job for a company based in the USA. It will last about one month, and is mostly about creating a video ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
UK limited company exit mechanism
Can anyone tell me the mechanism by which a UK technology business is acquired? Does the acquirer usually buy:
all the outstanding shares in the limited company, or,
all the assets and liabilities ...
5
votes
1answer
352 views
UK based subscription web app - best payment provider for $5 per month payments
I am currently developing a SaaS product and am at an impasse in terms of how to charge.
The subscription is only going to be $5 per month. Although I'm in the UK, my main market is going to be the ...
5
votes
5answers
216 views
How does one go about finding shared office space, specifically in the UK?
I'm currently working from home, but finding this too solitary, and also need a change of environment in general so I'm considering moving cities. I think this is a great time to branch out of my ...
3
votes
2answers
252 views
UK one-man software house Ltd - should director have employment contract?
Scenario: A one-man, self-funding software developer with a software-licensing business model. Startup is self funding with no revenue anticipated for at least 1.5 years.
My query relates mainly to ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
Extract tax efficient earnings for owner
So, I know this is a question probably for my accountant, but I want to do a little research myself. What is the most tax efficient way to extract earnings as an owner..?
I have a small startup that ...
0
votes
1answer
118 views
UK taxation of startup gain due to IP
I learnt today that if an author assigns copyright of his book to a publisher for a fee, the net revenue is taxed as income, not as capital gains.
On the other hand, one would normally think "Capital ...
2
votes
1answer
205 views
Bootstrapping UK startup tax, VAT and Tax Credits?
I am on the verge of quitting my day job to work full time on a startup, solo initially. It seems that I could become eligible for a swathe of UK tax credits. These are pretty lucrative but they are ...
3
votes
1answer
193 views
[UK] Pros and cons of self billing for first time contractor?
I've just started my own company and I'm initially contracting - I've been asked if I want to send invoices, or do self billing. I've had a look online and I can't see any reason not to self bill, ...
1
vote
2answers
261 views
Starting a UK Subsidiary
I am a US company (S-corporation) and I need to start processing payments through the UK for Europeans. What is the easiest way to set up a subsidiary or part of the company over in the UK?
All ...
2
votes
4answers
652 views
Datacenter internet UK? (Where to get 1GBPS?)
I'm planning to have one good server computer (Intel Xeon processor) running some linux server distro handling all the files for my file hosting website. I can buy it plenty of space (I assume I can ...
4
votes
3answers
277 views
What are the most startup-friendly options for mobile payments? (UK)
A young team in the UK has come up with a neat way of creating a social application to help people keep their promises - for instance, keeping up-to-date with their coursework.
Without getting into ...
2
votes
3answers
195 views
How can I find out if a US company has a patent in the UK?
I am trying to set up a leisure centre in the Uk with an idea that is from the US. They have a US patent and say that they have a UK patent pending.
1.How can I find out if they do have a patent ...
3
votes
2answers
502 views
Monthly subscription management service and payment gateway UK
We are currently building a website which includes a monthly subscription plan(s). We have a merchant account with Streamline and looking for a payment gateway.
We would like to use a billing ...
2
votes
4answers
403 views
What is the most affordable combination for taking credit card payments online from around the world?
I have looked at the similar questions posted and believe mine is different - please read the specifics of my question below:
Assuming we do not want to use PayPal (or Google Checkout etc.), it seems ...
2
votes
2answers
270 views
Cheques made out in business name (UK)
I am planning on setting up a private limited company with my brother. We are going to register with the companies house with the business name (example) "123". Once we are registered, and have a ...
4
votes
4answers
820 views
Basic legal requirements to set up web design business in UK
I am in the UK and I want to start designing web sites for people, through my own web design company, mainly because it is about the only thing I can do due to a disability. I have set up my own car ...
1
vote
2answers
165 views
UK based startup needs various legal advice: licences, reseller agreements, etc
I'm a UK based startup and need a good legal advisor. Will most lawyers be able to help a web/software based startup with areas such as product licenses, reseller agreements, NDAs etc or is it best to ...
0
votes
1answer
480 views
What happens to my p45 if I become a contractor / freelancer?
I am 22, I recently handed in my notice at my current full time work place, my notice period is almost up and I have been offered a 12 month contract to develop software for a company as a freelancer ...
1
vote
1answer
861 views
Loan from directors to the company
How might you record a loan from directors to the company in the books?
From my perspective this is an investment into the company which I hope will be refunded when the company makes profits.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
341 views
UK Tax for Online Startup Software Company
I currently work full time for a private company and am considering on starting up my own online software company by forming a private limited company. I had a few questions:
I've noticed that the ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Options for hiring Indian workers directly
My core aim is to hire people directly in India (Delhi) and spend a lot of time there myself (I am a British person with a British passport).
I am interested in knowing what are the best options for ...
1
vote
2answers
217 views
The best place to start to manufacture a FMCG?
I think I may have found a niche in FMCG. If I am looking to manufacture something (not a food), where would be the best place to start in finding manufacturers? I am based in the UK. I believe I will ...
3
votes
4answers
350 views
How to market web based beauty salon management software in UK?
I'm looking for new ways to market our product, a web based software targeted primarily at spas, hair & beauty salons (and could be used by dentists or other small appointment-based businesses) in ...
3
votes
4answers
265 views
How does a UK-formed LLP get a US merchant account? Do we need a US EIN?
We are a UK-formed LLP website trying to allow our US PayPal customers payments remain in dollars without the currency charge to transfer to pounds. How do we get a US merchant account? Do we need a ...
4
votes
1answer
450 views
How do I pay myself from a UK-based startup?
I've been self-employed as a sole trader for over a year, but now I want to form a private limited company and trade via that (I'm in IT, and some organisations here won't contract an individual ...
2
votes
2answers
42 views
Is there any way to predict how competent authorities will decide tax treaty issues beforehand?
I have been studying the UK/US double tax treaty and it's explanation in anticipation of the creation of a US subsidiary wholly owned by a small internet-based company in the UK. It seems as though ...
1
vote
3answers
403 views
Can an LLP be formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of a UK company?
I'm currently researching how to go about creating a US subsidiary of a UK company. One of the people involved in the business wondered if it would be possible to use an LLP to do business in the US. ...
6
votes
7answers
741 views
New Product Ideas - how to get started
I've got several ideas for new products that I think might fill various gaps in the market. However, I'm unsure where to start. I'm not an engineer, nor do I have access to facilities to create ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
UK employment law - equality & diversity
I'm trying to find out if there are any regulations regarding the implementation of diversity/equality policies in the UK.
Personally I feel that true equality is completely blind and I would rather ...
2
votes
6answers
224 views
What do I need to do legally for an evening and weekends web startup? (UK)
I'm currently working on a web app and associated blog, mainly for experience in web design and marketing, but also to hopefully make a bit of extra money on the side.
I work full time so this is an ...
2
votes
2answers
139 views
UK budget changes June 2010 - move from umbrella to startup own company?
I've been freelancing as a software engineer for a couple of years using an umbrella company. At the time I started, the consensus was that it wasn't worth the effort setting up your own company.
In ...
2
votes
5answers
211 views
Are there any startup networking opportunities in the UK?
Are there any networking opportunities for startups (primarily internet entrepreneurs) in the UK - or more specifically, London?
Since we are mostly bootstrapping and therefore need to keep costs ...
1
vote
2answers
250 views
Merchant account for UK-based online money transfer business
UK banks consider money transfer services as risky and so we can't get merchant account, although we are regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Does anyone know offshore banks that provide ...
2
votes
2answers
269 views
Is Employer's Liability Insurance necessary to operate in the UK?
After doing a bit of research into sponsoring foreign workers from a UK based company, I came across something interesting; according to the UK Border Association, a small business must have ...
4
votes
4answers
438 views
Startup Office Space in the UK (or should we just work from home?!)
Does anyone have much experience with finding office space for a small startup (less than five people) in the UK?
There are more and more places out there offering eBuisness or Start-up designated ...
