Incubator: How to start a business in 30 days
If 2025 is your year to embrace the financial freedom and autonomy of self-employment, IPSE’s Incubator is your ultimate guide. In just 30 days, we’ll give you all the answers you need to launch your business or side hustle quickly, and with confidence.
Why choose the IPSE Incubator?
As the UK's only not-for-profit dedicated to supporting the self-employed, we have over 25 years of experience in making this rewarding career path work for thousands of professionals. We've used this expertise to build the programme, knowing that you don't have time (or money) to waste when it comes to getting your idea off the ground. With that in mind, here are a few reasons people choose the Incubator to bring their business to life:
Fast, focused, and on-demand
Forget endless theory—our Incubator gives you the practical answers you need to build solid foundations for your business.
Tailored to you
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an idea, this programme is designed to help you move forward quickly, on your own terms.
Proven to make self-employment work for you
IPSE has helped countless professionals transition to self-employment successfully. Just read some of our feedback below!
£150
(VAT included)
Please register via Eventbrite to join this programme.
Course overview
Each week features a blend of videos and downloadable resources. You'll get access to everything for one year so you can set your own pace.
Week 1
Start your journey with the essential foundations.
From creating a solid business plan to understanding the best setup for your business—this week equips you with practical tools like SWOT analysis, competitor research, and a formation checklist.
Week 2
This week focuses on shaping your brand and managing your money.
Gain insights into pricing, cash flow management, pitching for work, and protecting your intellectual property as you prepare to showcase your value to potential clients.
Week 3
Expand your reach and protect your business.
This week covers the importance of insurances, crafting statements of work, and staying visible through networking, social media, and video marketing.
Week 4
The final week helps you handle real-world challenges with confidence.
From navigating contracts and securing referrals to managing difficult clients and chasing late payments, you’ll learn how to maintain strong professional relationships. Prepare for the tax year with downloads on tax deadlines and year-end compliance.
What will you get out of it?
By the end of the 30-day programme, you will:
- Have a clear and actionable business plan tailored to your goals
- Be fully set up as a sole trader, limited company, or under an umbrella company
- Understand how to manage your finances effectively, from cash flow to pricing your services, saving tax, and knowing key accounting deadlines
- Build a strong personal brand with a professional online presence, a compelling pitch, and a targeted strategy to market yourself
- Develop skills to confidently pitch for work, handle contracts, manage clients, and protect your business through insurance and intellectual property measures
- Feel empowered to handle real-world challenges like chasing late payments, dealing with rejection, and navigating tax year-end processes
Self-employment delivers financial freedom, flexibility, and work-life balance like no other career path.
With IPSE by your side, you’ll have the expertise and support to build a business that thrives and find success on your own terms.
Who is IPSE?
Are you considering taking the leap into self-employment? We have the answers to all your questions.
We are the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the self-employed. Active for over 25 years, through our memberships we offer you everything you and your business need to reach your own version of success and make self-employment work for you.
What people say about our Incubator
"I’ve joined the IPSE Incubator to enable me to learn these important processes for running a successful contracting business whilst hopefully bringing me into contact with other local contractors for community support and shared learning.”
I am enjoying the Incubator, as an 'old timer' I thought it would be good to refresh my skills, and it really has been useful. It’s really encouraged me to network more and try new things.
"With a solid foundation, your business will flourish, the IPSE Incubator has helped my core business stability."
Full programme
Ready to start a business in just 30 days? Here's what you can expect from each week of the Incubator. Don't forget, we've structured it this way for ease, but you'll get everything at all at once, meaning you can pace yourself however you like.
Once you've purchased the Incubator, you'll have continued access to everything for one year.
Week 1
- Introduction to week one [VIDEO]
- Business plan [DOWNLOAD]
- Incubator checklist [DOWNLOAD]
- How to set yourself up as a sole trader, limited company or umbrella worker [VIDEO]
- SWOT and competitor analysis [VIDEO]
- Formation checklist [DOWNLOAD]
- CV and LinkedIn advice [VIDEO]
Week 2
- Introduction to week two [VIDEO]
- Managing cash flow [VIDEO & DOWNLOAD]
- How to price yourself [VIDEO]
- How to build your own brand [VIDEO]
- Making the most out of your website [VIDEO]
- Tips for crafting a great elevator pitch [VIDEO]
- Pitching for work [VIDEO]
- Protecting your IP [VIDEO]
Week 3
- Introduction to week three [VIDEO]
- Insurances and why they are important [VIDEO]
- Statement of work [VIDEO]
- Making yourself visible [VIDEO]
- How to build your network [VIDEO]
- How to market yourself using social media and video [VIDEO]
- Accountancy software [VIDEO]
- How to save tax throughout the year [DOWNLOAD]
Week 4
- Introduction to week four [VIDEO]
- The importance of contracts [VIDEO]
- The importance of referrals [VIDEO]
- Handling difficult clients [VIDEO]
- How to deal with rejection [VIDEO]
- Chasing late payments [VIDEO]
- Tax year end [DOWNLOAD]
- Key accountancy dates [DOWNLOAD]
