Business Connect supports NSW businesses as they navigate the challenges of starting, running, growing and adapting their business.

Starting a business

If you have a business idea, Business Connect advisors can help you:

  • evaluate your idea and develop a business plan
  • understand your target customers through market research
  • consider your business structure
  • connect to other support to get you started and increase your chance of success.

Before you meet with an advisor, it’s important that you register for a ‘How to start a business’ event. Find an event.

You can also watch a video series on starting a business in our online toolkit.

Running, growing and adapting a business

Business Connect can support your business with advice and practical tips about:

  • business planning
  • marketing to reach new customers
  • growing your digital presence and social media
  • accessing finance and managing cash flow
  • sales and pricing strategies
  • adopting digital tools
  • innovation
  • cyber security
  • selling to government.

Specialist advisors

If you need help with a specific industry or business need, you can choose a specialist advisor who can help you based on their experience and qualifications.

Finance

If your business needs financing or external funding to grow, a finance specialist advisor can offer general support with:

  • raising start-up funding
  • working out funding needs and forecasting cash flow
  • calculating commercial lease affordability
  • designing pricing and business models
  • understanding your financial capability
  • providing information on available grants and rebates
  • referring you to professional services.

Business Connect advisors cannot provide professional financial advice. You will need to speak to an accountant or other registered advisor for guidance related to your specific circumstances.

Procurement

If your business wants to supply goods or services to government or other organisations, a procurement specialist advisor can:

  • offer assistance in developing tender responses
  • support your business’s capacity to win contracts
  • advise you on how to become procurement ready
  • provide information and resources on supplying to government.

Creative industry

Creative specialist advisors provide advice to freelancers and businesses from across the creative industry, including advertising and marketing, architecture, design, film, television, online media and screen, radio and podcasting, music performance, performing arts, creative software development, writing, publishing and print media, visual arts and crafts.

Creative specialists do not provide support to general businesses wanting to become more creative.

Multicultural advisors

We offer Arabic, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian and Vietnamese-speaking advisors who provide in-language business support with a deep level of cultural understanding.

Search 'multicultural' or your preferred language in the search bar on the advisor page or call 13 77 88. Alternatively, you can register for a call back with a Service NSW Business Concierge who can assist you with connecting to a multicultural advisor.

For other language needs, your business advisor can arrange translation and sign language services for any advisory sessions.

Next steps

Find the right Business Connect advisor for you and book a session.

Find an advisor

If you need help booking a session with a Business Connect advisor, call 13 77 88 to speak to a Business Concierge or register for a call back

Last updated: 7 December 2023