Smarta

A new and innovative support platform for business owners and entrepreneurs, Smarta provides a one-stop-shop where business owners can connect, learn and actually ‘do' business.

BY ENTREPRENEURS, FOR ENTREPRENEURS

This is a hugely slick and well-run site, filled with easy to browse information, inspiration, advice, networks and business tools. The venture is the brainchild of multiple award winner and all-round entrepreneur Sháá Wasmund, and has the backing of leading entrepreneurs such as Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden, Michael Birch and James Dyson, as well as Vodafone and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

REAL-TIME ADVICE

When starting or running your own business, there are the inevitable moments when some practical advice from entrepreneurs and fellow business owners who have worked through the same issues is invaluable. Smarta is unique because it delivers real-time access to thousands of people running businesses, as well as offering live professional advice from lawyers, accountants and other service providers free of charge.

INSPIRATIONAL

The site is intuitively arranged. For example, ‘Advice' is divided into: Think, for those conducting preliminary planning & research; Create, for starting up and the first 12 months of business; and Grow, covering strategies for survival, expansion and exit. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs can use Smarta to apply for a business account or loan, or register a business. Here, they can also read hundreds of inspirational features, videos, interviews, profiles and commentary with other business owners and enterprise creators. An excellent site.