Free, no account needed
Sector Finder
Looking for low cost business ideas in the UK, or wondering how to start a business with little money? Sector Finder asks five questions about your budget and circumstances, then gives you a shortlist of public sector work that is realistic for someone in your position, with live notices in your area. The budget figures come from the same start-up costs published in our own trade guides, not from wishful thinking.
This is guidance based only on the answers you gave, not a promise of work. Nothing here guarantees you will win a contract, and no part of it is legal, financial or regulatory advice. Check licensing, insurance and registration requirements with the relevant body before you spend money.
Tell us where you are starting from
5. Where do you operate?
Answer all five to see your shortlist.
How the matching works
Each sector carries a genuine minimum starting cost taken from the trade guides already published on this site: cleaning from roughly £300, construction and property maintenance from £500, courier work from £1,000 once a vehicle is in place, grounds maintenance from £1,500, manned guarding from £2,500 and domiciliary care from £6,000. If your budget does not reach the floor for a sector, we say so plainly rather than listing it anyway.
A vehicle only rules a sector out where the work genuinely cannot be done without one, such as courier runs and grounds maintenance. A qualification only rules a sector out where it is a legal or contractual requirement, such as SIA licensing for guarding or CQC registration and a registered manager for care. Insurance never rules anything out, because it is something you can arrange in days rather than a barrier to entry.
The notices shown against each sector come from the same database as the rest of the site, sourced from Find a Tender, Contracts Finder and Public Contracts Scotland, and filtered to your region plus UK wide work.
Help with getting started
Starting while you are on Universal Credit?
The old New Enterprise Allowance has closed, but Jobcentre Plus may still be able to help with self-employment support, including a Universal Credit start-up period for people who qualify. Our short guide explains what is current, what is outdated and what to ask your work coach before you spend anything.
Read the Jobcentre support guideCommon questions
What can Sector Finder show me with a small budget?
Cleaning has the lowest genuine entry cost, from roughly £300 for a solo start. Property maintenance and courier work sit a little higher because you need a vehicle. Care is the most expensive to enter, normally £6,000 upwards, because of registration and staffing before any income arrives.
Do I need insurance before I can bid for a public contract?
Almost always. Buyers usually ask for a public liability certificate as part of the submission, and employers' liability once you have staff. Not having it yet does not rule a sector out, but you will need it in place before you actually submit.
Does Sector Finder tell me whether I will win?
No. It matches what you told us against the real start-up figures and requirements for each sector, then shows you live notices in that sector and area. Whether you win depends on your bid, your pricing and your competition.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and no account is needed. A free account is only useful if you want to save contracts you are watching and come back to them later.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Find a Tender / Contracts Finder / Public Contracts Scotland. 123 Tenders is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any buyer organisation named in these notices, and gives no guarantee as to accuracy or outcome.