Busıness ınformatıon Databases

You can access these business information databases for free in our Centres, and some are available from home – all you need is your library card! Pop in and speak to one of our dedicated team, who will be able to guide you to the BIPC area, and help you get set up and logged in to one of our BIPC computers. Or you can book a one-to-one for hands on guidance of which databases are best for you!

Business Advice, Support and Funding

These databases support businesses with practical aspects of how to run a business and help to find any potential loans or grants that may be available.

Sheffield: https://sheffield.cobwebinfo.com
Barnsley: https://barnsleylib.cobwebinfo.com
Rotherham: https://rotherham.cobwebinfo.com
Doncaster: https://doncaster.cobwebinfo.com

• COBRA is a practical and comprehensive resource for anyone wanting to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.
• Use COBRA to research your business idea and sector, understand your consumers and competitors. 
• Available in: Remote access for library card holders, Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library 

• Grantfinder enables you to identify funding, grants and loans to apply for. Featuring over 8,000 continuously updated funding opportunities.
• Use Grantfinder to search for local and national funding opportunities, including grants, loans and venture capital and get advice and guidance on completing a funding application. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library

Market Research

Use these databases to find statistics and reports covering market trends, current and future consumer behaviour, market size and forecast and competitor analysis. This is crucial information that you need to inform your business plan and test the viability of a business proposition.

• Mintel provides in-depth market research reports, focussing on businesses that provide services to consumers.Get data and analysis on thousands of products and services globally.
• Use Mintel to research your business idea and sector, understand your consumers and competitors.
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library

• A global market research database providing statistics and expert analysis on industries, countries, consumers and companies.
• Use IBIS World to understand how an industry is performing and insights in to the future performance of the industry. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library

• Local Data Online have a team that are on the ground daily, physically examining every retail location across the UK to capture an accurate and dynamic picture of the UK high street. Historic analysis, present and future forecasts can be taken from this data, enabling businesses to make better strategic decisions.
• Use Local Data Online to locate all vacant shop units in an area, see how an industry is performing within an area or locate a specific retail or chain in an area. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library

• A global database providing company, industry and economic information including company reports and financial statements.
• Use EMIS to get information about a specific company, industry or country.
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library

• The world’s leading independent provider of strategic market research. Get data and analysis on thousands of products and services globally.
• Use Passport to explore consumer behaviour and find analysis on specific industries and economies. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library

Company Data

These databases hold a vast range of information to help generate marketing lists and leads, do due diligence on potential partners or suppliers and undertake competitor analysis.

• A comprehensive database of information on both public and private companies across the UK and Ireland. It is a valuable business intelligence tool for sales and marketing.
• Use Fame to find information about a specific company, including their financial status, information about the directors and who ultimately owns the company. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library 

• Kompass EasyBusiness is a premium B2B resource containing information on over 43 million companies across 71 countries worldwide. 
• Use Kompass to find a supplier or service provider and contact a company directly. 
• Available in: Remote access available, Sheffield Central Library, Sheffield Crystal Peaks Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Rotherham Riverside Library, Doncaster Central Library 

Intellectual Property 

Finding out whether your idea or product already exists is really important, so that you can take the steps you need to protect it. You can use these databases to find out whether your business name already exists, your product (or a similar one) already has a patent against it and much more.

• The European Patent Office website has international coverage and Espacenet provides access to over 130 million patent documents.
• Use Espacenet to search for a specific patent, or explore whether a patent currently exists. 
• Available in: Sheffield Central Library

• A trade mark database run by the European Patent Office with international coverage. 
• Use TMView to search for registered, or expired trade marks. 
• Available online

Design View

• The European Patent Office website has international coverage.
• Use Design View to search for registered designs.
• Available online