£1 Billion in Start-Up Loans for the UK

Hey there,

This month we’re talking all things IP. From locking down your brand to spotting sneaky copycats delivered in quick, clear legal bites.

Plus, big news: we’ve just launched a referral system! Now, anytime you share SuLe, you get rewarded. 💸

If you introduce someone to SuLe and they end up becoming a client, you’ll receive:
- 10% of any Premium+ sign-up fee as credits, and
- 10% of their legal spend over the first 12 months as credits

There’s no sign-up form or tracking code. Just send us a quick email saying “I’m in” to [email protected]. From there, any introductions you make via email will be tracked automatically.

Now let’s get into it…

1. Our Most Asked Question in July:
When launching a business, what IP should founders protect first, and how? 💡

We hear this one all the time. Protecting your intellectual property (IP) isn’t about filing everything, it’s about securing the assets that matter most to your business right now.

First, Do An IP Inventory

List what you’ve created, what you use and what drives your competitive edge:

1. Your brand identity (Trade Marks)
   For most businesses, your name and logo come first. This is how customers find and trust you.
   

2. Your core creations (Copyright & Designs)
   Think website copy, software code, product designs. Anything original and central to your offering.
   

3. Your innovations (Patents & Trade Secrets)
   If you’ve built something truly novel or have unique know-how, this is where patents or strong confidentiality processes matter.

Next, Execute

Once you know your priorities, use a layered approach to execute:

1. Pre-launch due diligence
   Search the UK IPO registers before committing to a name, logo, or invention to avoid infringement.
   

2. Formal registration

   • Trade Marks: 10-year renewable protection for names, logos, and slogans.

   • Registered Designs: Protects product look and packaging for up to 25 years.

   • Patents: 20 years of protection for novel inventions (but file before going public).
     

3. Leverage automatic rights

   • Copyright: Automatic for original works (keep dated records).

   • Unregistered Design Right: Limited protection for product shape/configuration.
     

4. Contractual safeguards

   • NDAs for sharing confidential info.

   • IP assignment clauses in employment/contractor agreements.

   • Clear licensing terms when letting others use your IP.
     

5. Internal confidentiality
   Limit access, label sensitive docs, and secure systems with passwords/encryption.

Not sure if you’ve protected your IP correctly? We’re hosting a webinar next week on August 27th, sharing more about how to best protect your IP. Click below to join us.

2. Noteworthy News:
£1 Billion in Start-Up Loans for UK Entrepreneurs 💸

The UK government just launched a generous expansion of the Start-Up Loans programme: A £1 billion funding pot, translating to around 69,000 new loans available to entrepreneurs across the UK.

These are government-backed loans offering up to £25,000 per founder, 1-5 year repayment terms, 6% fixed interest and mentorship support included.

Think of it as the UK’s version of a VC-softened safety net: accessible, founder-friendly and noticeably investor-minded.

3. Legal Reminder Of The Month:
Do Your IP Audit. 👩‍💻

For those of you who took the steps to protect your business’s IP from the beginning, it’s still important to routinely do an IP audit. Think of it as a quick, “spring cleaning” for your business.

Here’s an easy guide to review your current IP protections:

1. List every IP asset you own, registered or not. Include brand names, logos, product designs, written content, software and proprietary processes.
   

2. Record the details: who created it, when and under what agreement. Keep proof (drafts, files, emails) in a secure place.
   

3. Check your ownership. Make sure you have signed contracts assigning IP from employees, freelancers and collaborators.
   

4. Spot the gaps. Identify what should be registered (trade marks, designs, patents) or documented (copyright, unregistered design right).
   

5. Flag risks: look for assets you might be using without clear rights (e.g., stock images, third-party code).
   

6. Schedule a yearly review. IP protection isn’t one-and-done; put it on your calendar.

Doing this regularly not only keeps you compliant but also boosts your business valuation. Investors love a clean IP portfolio.

4. Funding & Award Opportunities 💸

💰 Poker Power x IFW $100,000 "Power Play" Small Business Grant: This isn't your typical grant program. They’re looking for an extraordinary entrepreneur who understands that running a business—like playing poker—requires strategy, calculated risks, and the confidence to trust your instincts.

💰Immerse Catalyst Accelerator: Immerse Catalyst is an intensive 8-week accelerator, designed for founders as they seek to scale their businesses. You’ll gain access to expert-led workshops, personalised coaching to set and smash your business goals, and a powerful peer community of like-minded entrepreneurs and alumni who’ve been in your shoes. Applications close 20 August.

💰 BE100 competition: The BE100 competition is designed to fast-track innovation in climate health by inviting 1,000+ businesses to apply for the chance to pitch their ideas to thousands of mission-aligned investors at Blue Earth Summit 2025 (15-17 Oct). Each year, they look for the three most innovative business solutions across three categories: Seed, Growth and Scale. Applications close 5 September.

🏆SME London Business Awards 2026: The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry SME London Business Awards are an exciting opportunity to support and share in our vision to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising SME’s in the region.

🏆 The King's Awards for Enterprise: The King’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. Applications close 9 September.

5. Upcoming Entrepreneurial Events 🤓

27 August: How to Protect Your Company’s Most Valuable Asset – Your IP with SuLe – ​​Based on SuLe’s popular blog, this session breaks down the basics (and the blind spots) around:

✅ Trademarks, patents, and copyright - what they mean and when you need them
​✅ How to identify what IP you actually own (or should)
✅ Common mistakes founders make when launching a brand or product
​✅ Easy wins you can act on now to avoid future legal messes

2 September: AI Breakfast Club – ​Explore the hottest AI trends with like-minded experts, network with the brightest minds in the UK AI ecosystem and experience live demos from groundbreaking AI startups.

11 September: LegalTech Innovators, Investors & Lawyers Networking Event - London – This event offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge legal technology to showcase their innovations, connect with potential investors, and learn from leaders in the field.

22 September: Smart Selling - How AI is Transforming the Modern Sales Playbook – From predictive lead scoring to personalised outreach, real-time coaching, and advanced analytics, this session will demystify how AI is being integrated into every stage of the sales funnel to create measurable impact.

And that’s a wrap. May your IP be watertight and your coffee always strong. 💪

– The SuLe Team