As well as the Startups.co.uk section for female entrepreneurs, there are a number of organisations and groups offering support and advice to women in business.
Here’s a rundown of some of the best and what type of help and services they can offer:
Aurora Women's Network
Aurora advances women's careers and accelerates women-owned businesses through providing networking events and services for corporate and entrepreneurial women. Aurora co-supports international women's events as well as hosting the UK's largest women's networking events. Aurora's women entrepreneurs expos and networking events in London are visited by 150 entrepreneurial women each month.
http://www.auroravoice.com/
British Association of Women Entrepreneurs
The British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE) is a non-profit professional organisation for UK-based women business owners and is affiliated to the world association of women business owners. BAWE encourages the personal development of female entrepreneurs and the expansion of their businesses through various training, networking and mentoring schemes and conferences.
http://www.bawe-uk.org/
Prowess
A UK wide trade association, Prowess promotes women’s enterprise support and lobbies for sexual equality in business. It offers a range of training, networking and support opportunities.
http://www.prowess.org.uk/
WiRE
WiRE is a nationwide organisation supporting women living in rural areas who want to start their own businesses. WiRE runs networking events and workshops, has a national conference every year and offers a full business support network for female rural entrepreneurs.
http://www.wireuk.org/
Every woman
Online network and resources for women business owners.
http://www.everywoman.co.uk/
Women Into the Network (WIN)
Women Into the Network (WIN) is a networking initiative which facilitates the development of women's businesses in the North East. WIN's activities include communications and publications, networking events, awards and role model promotion and research. An EU commissioned survey has recognised the success of WIN by selecting it as the UK best practice initiative for promoting female entrepreneurship.
http://www.networkingwomen.co.uk/
The Women in Business Network Ltd
The aim of the WIBN is to bring together female business owners to help them to promote their businesses. The group is largely focused on networking and the exchange of contacts.This group currently covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire although it is expanding. Their rules permit that only one member from each occupation is allowed to join.
http://www.wibn.co.uk/
With Women in Mind
A networking group for professional and entrepreneurial women hosted by Law Firm Rooks Rider. The group offers a unique opportunity to tap into legal and non-legal groups including those specialising in IT, new media, accountancy and other aspects of business.
http://www.wwim.co.uk/
Thebaglady.co.uk
Global directory, networking and bartering format for women business owners.
http://www.the-bag-lady.co.uk/
www.funafterbaby.co.uk
Online community for working mums and dads with business ideas, tips on home-working, inspirational stories and forums.
http://www.funafterbaby.co.uk/
Women's Employment, Enterprise & Training Unit
WEETU extends women's access to quality employment, education and training opportunities. Most WEETU services are free and help is given with childcare and travel costs. This group offers training and advice programmes to women in Norfolk and North Suffolk who wish to become self-employed or develop an existing business. All courses are held in child friendly hours.
http://www.weetu.org/
Scottishbusinesswomen.com
As part of a range of Women into Business initiatives available through the Scottish Enterprise Small Business Gateway, Scottishbusinesswomen.com is an online female enterprise community which aims to inspire and prepare more women to start their own business.
http://www.scottishbusinesswomen.com/
Financial Mail Women's Forum
The Financial Mail Women's Forum (FMWN) is a network for senior businesswomen. The FMWF is intended to provide interesting and useful opportunities for women at the very top of their respective professions to make new contacts, exchange ideas and forge business alliances.
http://www.fmwf.com/
Women Returners
Women Returners is a national charity that for 20 years has been helping and supporting women back to work through education, training and support. If you're having a career break, or if you simply want a change of direction, you'll find all you need to know about returning to work on this website.
http://www.women-returners.co.uk/
Women in Business
Networking group for women owning their own businesses. Particularly active in the South East, WIB offers support, training, friendship and contacts.
http://www.wib.org.uk/
Women Working – The Prince’s Trust
Women Working is a fundraising appeal, launched by the Prince’s Trust, aimed at successful businesswomen who want to help disadvantaged young women get back on their feet. The intention is to encourage more women to take part in Prince’s Trust programmes, whilst supporting worse off groups such as young mothers by providing money for child care costs.
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/women
The Women's Company
The Women's Company is a monthly lunch-time networking organisation for business women, with 10 groups across London and the south-east -Beckenham, Bromley, Clerkenwell, Crouch End, Croydon, Hackney & Hoxton,Mayfair, Petts Wood & Orpington, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
http://www.thewomenscompany.com/