Sector Finder

What business should I start?

Answer five quick questions and get UK business ideas that fit your budget, whether you are leaving college, looking for a side hustle or going self employed for the first time. Free, no account needed.

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

1. How much can you put into getting started?
2. Do you have a vehicle?

A van or car you can use for work, including anything you already own.

3. Do you have a trade qualification or certification?

Anything relevant, from an NVQ or City and Guilds to an SIA licence or care diploma.

4. Do you have, or can you get, public liability insurance?

This does not rule any sector out. It changes what we tell you about bidding, because buyers normally want the certificate first.

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 are official UK government contract notices, 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 guide

Common questions

What business ideas suit students and college leavers?

Sector Finder is free and open to everyone, with no account needed, so you can explore ideas while you are still studying. Services with low start-up costs, such as cleaning or grounds maintenance, are common first steps. A 123 Tenders account is for people aged 18 and over, so you will need to be 18 to save contracts or set up alerts.

What side hustle can I start alongside a job?

Look for work you can take on in evenings or at weekends and scale up later, such as cleaning, grounds maintenance or small property repairs. Tell Sector Finder your budget and whether you have a vehicle, and it shows which of these fit. Check your employment contract for any rules on outside work.

How do I go self employed in the UK?

Most people start as a sole trader. You usually need to register with HMRC for Self Assessment, keep records of your income and expenses, and file a tax return each year. GOV.UK explains when and how to register.

Set up as a sole trader on GOV.UK

Can I start a business with little money?

Yes. Some services need little more than basic equipment, insurance and a way to reach customers. Choose your budget in Sector Finder and it shows which sectors fit it and which need more money or qualifications before you can start.

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. 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.