Starting a business

Free business research and market reports

Are you in the process of starting or running your business but have some research questions you need help answering?

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2 min read

Don’t worry… the Business Gateway Information Team can assist you to access a range of information including assessing your competitors, researching international markets, or information to support you when considering developing new products or services.

How we can help your business

We specialise in answering questions like:

  • how do I identify trends and opportunities within my market?
  • how can I stay up to date with developments in my market?
  • how can I find business premises?
  • how can I identify customers or competitors?
  • do I know if a potential supplier is available?
  • can I identify export markets?

Market reports

We write and update the Business Gateway Market Reports on over one hundred of the most popular start-up industries ranging from food and drink, adventure tourism, beauty therapy and childcare, to oil and gas, renewables, life and chemical sciences, as well as construction and manufacturing among others.

These reports are free to download and include:

  • brief extracts of some of our subscription database reports
  • links to useful online resources and trade bodies
  • information on finding customers, suppliers and competitors
  • general information on starting up a business in Scotland.

Bespoke information and searches

If you have a specific research question not covered by our market reports, we can use our range of subscription databases and knowledge of publicly available resources to:

  • source competitor information, company lists and company reports
  • obtain UK and international market intelligence
  • initiate due diligence, property and land searches
  • signpost to industry, statistical and demographic information and news articles
  • carry out credit checks.

Find out how to submit a research request.

Get in touch

Our Information Officers each have a Scottish regional responsibility. You may see us at events organised by the local Business Gateway offices. If so, come over and say hello. You may be surprised at how much information and research we can access for you.

But in the meantime, if there is something we can help you with, feel free to get in touch using info@bgateway.com or by calling 0300 013 4753.

Want to speak with your nearest Business Gateway team?

Your local Business Gateway can offer you free 1:1 advice and online support to help you with anything to do with your business or if you are just thinking about starting up then we can support you with that too.

Fill in the form below and we will get back to you to help.

1. Tell us a bit about your business or idea (such as, sector, stage…) 2. What are your main reasons for contacting us today? 3. Is there anything else we need to know before we contact you?

Enter your postcode

How we use your data

We will use the information you provide to respond to your request, and to provide business advice and support services to you. For more information please view our privacy notice.

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