Honest, always
If you're not the right fit, Ian will say so and point you somewhere useful. Straight answers save everyone time.
About Ian
Meet Ian Harris
The steady guide behind Startup Assist — here to help you turn a business idea into a funded, trading company, without the jargon or the hard sell.
The story
Helping people start, from scratch
Ian built Startup Assist to do one thing really well: help people start a business from the ground up and get it funded. He's spent years turning rough ideas into plans that lenders back — and he still gets a genuine kick out of the moment a founder's funding comes through and their idea becomes real.
He knows the early days are where founders feel most alone and most likely to get stuck — unsure how to write a plan, nervous about money, not knowing who to trust. That's exactly the gap he fills: a knowledgeable, calm guide who's walked the path before and genuinely wants you to succeed.
How Ian works
What you can expect
Practical, no jargon
Plain English and clear next steps. You'll always understand what you're doing and why it matters.
In your corner
Ambitious for your business as if it were his own — from the first plan to your next round of funding.
Why it's credible
Government-backed, personally delivered
Ian is an accredited Start Up Loans delivery partner. The scheme is backed by the UK Government and delivered through the British Business Bank — so the help you get isn't just friendly advice, it's a recognised route to real funding.
What that means for you: the person coaching you on your plan is the same person who knows exactly what the funding application needs.
- A recognised, government-backed funding route
- Up to £25,000 per founder to launch
- 12 months of free mentoring built in
- Guidance from someone who's done it many times
“Ian made something that felt overwhelming feel completely doable. Calm, clear and genuinely on my side from start to finish.”
Illustrative quote for layout — to be replaced with a real client testimonial.
Think Ian might be the right fit?
The best way to find out is a quick, no-obligation conversation. Start with the 60-second check.