So you’re starting a business in Edinburgh?
Congrats on your moxie – by many metrics, the Scottish capital is the most attractive destination for launching your own enterprise.
For instance, it hosts Codebase, Britain’s largest startup incubator and home to over 100 technology companies, but it’s also where global giants like Skyscanner started and boasts several world-class universities focused on furthering knowledge in everything from health to data science.
However, if you’re not careful, it can be an expensive place to set up shop, which is why we’ve collated these five thrifty tips for Edinburgh startups – enjoy!
1. Coworking
Leasing or buying a building in Edinburgh city centre would be prohibitive for most new companies, therefore starting off in a coworking space has many advantages.
For instance Edinburgh Central Library’s coworking hub is bang in the middle of town and desks are available for a price which equates to a couple of coffees a week, plus private meeting rooms and support from business advisors is thrown in for free – not to be sniffed at!
2. Virtual Assistant (VA)
Diarising efficiently and keeping organised is essential at all times in business, but especially so in the early days when missing an important meeting can seriously stall your progress.
However, try to do your own admin on top of everything else and you’ll soon be spinning so many plates that they all crash simultaneously. Better to hire a VA like Lime Blue for a few hours each week in order to keep everything ship-shape – your stress levels will reduce and everything will feel more manageable.
3. Free startup support
It’s not often that you can tap into a fountain of free knowledge about everything an Edinburgh business needs to hit the ground running.
But that’s exactly what’s on offer at Start Your Own Business In Edinburgh – this website provides an indispensable starter pack containing pro tips on funding, networking, grants, insurance, mentoring, marketing and property.
4. Google My Business (GMB)
Getting online with your own website is a crucial way to connect with new customers in any area, and Edinburgh is no different.
However, a fab first step is claiming your free Google My Business listing. You can do this even before you’ve launched a site and it acts as a free advert in Google’s powerful search real estate that contains a photo, opening hours, contact details, a brief business description and more.
5. Cheaper business travel
Parking in Edinburgh city centre can be very expensive and is nigh impossible in some areas, but luckily there’s a reliable public transport system featuring regular trains, buses and trams.
The tram service also extends to Edinburgh Airport, which is Scotland’s biggest and offers regular flights to London, New York and beyond, as well as economic parking from partners like SkyParkSecure.com. So getting in and out of Edinburgh is easy and affordable, as is traversing the town centre.
These five thrifty tips for Edinburgh startups will give your firm a chance to get started and sustain success in this elegant city – you can thank us later!
This is an article provided by our partners’ network. It does not reflect the views or opinions of our editorial team and management.
Contributed content
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business network spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems.
