How to Start a Business

Ready to take the entrepreneurial leap? Here's some advice on identifying a market need, writing a business plan, and setting up a new venture.

Sep 16, 2009

Writing a Business Plan, Section by Section: Business Plan tips, how to write a business plan, get sample business plan templates, free business plan software, help and business plan advice for the small business entrepreneur.
Using Online Tools to Write Your Business Plan: Writing a business plan faster, with online resources, free business plan software, and web-based advice for the small business entrepreneur.
Conducting Initial Market Research: This Inc.com guide offers tips and resources to help you research your industry and competition, and meet your target market's needs.
Start-up Marketing on the Cheap: Get inspired to fuel your company's growth with this collection of innovative marketing ploys.
Raising Start-Up Capital: Financing a new business isn't easy. Here Inc.com offers its best advice and resources for finding start-up capital.
Start-up Financing: Understanding Your Options: A look at different sources of start-up capital including debt, angel investors, private equity, and venture capital.
How to Pitch Angel Investors: Court and win over angel investors with Inc.com's guide to angel investors.
Understanding the Basics of Cash Management: Cash is your business's lifeblood. This guide will help your business -- and you -- avoid a heart attack.
Choosing the Right Form for Your Business: Trying to choose the right structure for your business? This Inc.com guide brings together our site's best articles on corporate form options, from sole proprietorships to C corporations.
Creating a Great Web Site on the Cheap: Want a terrific Web site -- without spending a fortune? Check out inc.com's guide to building a low-cost, high-impact Web site.
Hiring Your First Employee: Your business is growing so fast that soon you'll be not only your own boss, but someone else's as well. It's time to hire your first employee, and Inc.com has the help you need.
Filing for Patents: Got a great idea but not sure how to obtain a patent for it? This collection of tips and tools can help you get started.; Bringing a New Invention to Market; You’ve got a great idea. But negotiating your way from the invention you first sketch out on a napkin to a successful product can be daunting.
Setting Up a Home Office: There are many practical, financial, and psychological benefits of working from home. Inc.com has brought home all our best articles and resources on setting up shop at home.
Setting Up a New Office: What's the biggest hurdle your new business faces? Perhaps it's setting up your first office. Our guide will take you through the process step-by-step.
Buying a Franchise: Buying your own franchise is one way to break into the entrepreneurial ranks and become your own boss. If you're considering a franchise, this collection of tools and tips will help you find the ideal business.
Pricing: Inc.com will help you tackle the pricing issue -- we've compiled strategies, advice, and techniques that have served other entrepreneurs well.
Additional Reading:
Meet America's Top Start-up Guru: Paul Graham's business school and investment fund, Y Combinator, has launched 145 companies -- for a lot less money than you would think