Start-up Business and IP Information Clinic @ Bristol Central Library

Are you thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Do you have an intellectual property question? Would you like to know what resources are available at BIPC Bristol to help get your business idea off the ground or help grow your business?

Let us assist you in finding the answers to your business questions in a FREE 60 minute 1-to-1 session with a Business & IP Centre Information Specialist. These sessions give you the opportunity to ask questions, learn about our resources and find out about further support available.

During these 1-to-1s, we can help you by providing:

Business

• Guidance for those first key steps
• Strategies for building a business plan
• Support to use our specialist online business resources for market research, company data, and sources of finance
• Signposting to further business support providers available to you

Intellectual Property (IP)

• If you have a business idea with IP to consider, or if you have an enquiry about trade marks, copyright, patents or design rights, we can discuss with you the steps you can take to protect and monetise your IP.

This free service is funded for residents and businesses based in Bristol.

Please note we do not provide specialist financial or legal advice.

Remote sessions are available. Please book your session and e-mail bipc@bristol.gov.uk to request a Zoom link.

In advance of the meeting we will send out a brief questionnaire to request some background information on your business idea or IP enquiry. This information is required to confirm your attendance and helps our adviser be prepared for the meeting.

About BIPC Bristol

The Bristol Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) offers free information and expert support to start-ups and small businesses. This is provided through 1-to-1 sessions with an Information Specialist or Resident Experts.

BIPC Bristol offers guidance on all areas of Intellectual Property (IP), including copyright, trade marks, patents, and design rights. It also provides IP Attorney and Barrister Clinics for specialised information.

Library members have free access to a wide range of business databases, including recent market research reports, company data, and business information factsheets. A wide selection of business books and e-books are also available to borrow. It is free to join the library - How to join the library.

Located in Bristol Central Library, BIPC Bristol provides meeting and study spaces with free Wi-Fi for library members. In addition, there are three BIPC Locals at Junction 3, Knowle, and Southmead libraries, each of these also offer access to the core business resources and host selected 1-to-1 sessions.

FAQs

What is your refund policy?

Our events are free, but places are limited and can be oversubscribed. Please give two working days’ notice via email if you wish to cancel.

Can I attend if I'm not a member of the library?

Absolutely! Any Bristol-based business or person with a business idea is welcome. Though we always recommend joining the library as it's free and will make accessing our databases, books and publications much easier.

How can I find out about any news & upcoming events?

Follow us on Eventbrite and you can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and events. For more information on BIPC Bristol check out our web pages: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/BIPC

Privacy policy statement

After you have attended one of our events we ask that you complete a short feedback form. We will use the information you provide to improve the services we offer in line with our legitimate interests. This information is collected and transferred to us by our third-party processor, Impact Reporting using their Impact Assessment Tool. Impact Reporting will retain your data to save time when completing any future feedback forms we may send you. For more information about how they use personal information, please see their privacy policy online at https://impactreporting.co.uk/legal/privacy-policy/

For information about how the British Library will use your personal data, you can view our Privacy Policy at https://www.bl.uk/about-us/privacy-policy

For information about how Business & IP Centre Bristol will use your personal data, you can view our privacy policy at: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/about-our-website/privacy