Setting up a new business means opening accounts everywhere at once, and energy is one of the easiest to get wrong. Move into premises without agreeing a contract and you will be billed on “deemed” rates — often far above the market. New firms also face hurdles established companies do not: little or no credit history, uncertain consumption, and no time to study the market. The good news is that plenty of suppliers actively want new business customers in 2026, and a broker can shortcut the whole process. Here are eight options for founders who would rather spend their energy on the business itself.
1. Utility Bidder
For a brand-new company, the smartest first move is often not choosing a supplier at all but asking a broker to do it. Utility Bidder, part of the Bionic group and a multi award-winning broker, compares business gas, electricity and water deals from a broad supplier panel and handles the paperwork, including the change-of-tenancy process that catches out so many new occupiers. Savings of up to 35% are possible against default rates, and its service consistently earns top ratings from customers — its Trustpilot profile sits at Excellent, with reviewers frequently naming the individual consultant who looked after them.
Worth knowing: Utility Bidder is paid commission by suppliers, and a few customers say they would have liked that explained more clearly upfront. Ask the question at the start and you will get a straight answer.
2. Yu Energy
Yu Energy deals only with businesses, and its straightforward fixed-price tariffs across gas, electricity and water suit founders who want predictable bills from day one. Its UK-based support team is small enough to feel personal, and bundling utilities onto one account keeps admin light — a real advantage in a first year of trading. The trade-off is limited brand recognition and a narrower product range than the big six-style suppliers, with fewer options if your business grows into complex, multi-site consumption.
3. Octopus Energy
Octopus makes life easy for digital-first founders: sign-up is quick, the app and dashboard are genuinely usable, and all electricity is 100% renewable, which is handy if sustainability is part of your pitch to customers. Its reputation for service is among the best in the sector. New businesses with modest consumption fit its model well. Where it is weaker is dedicated account management for larger or more complicated setups, so it is less suitable if you are launching something energy-intensive.
4. Valda Energy
Valda is a newer business-only supplier that has built its offer around fast onboarding, smart meters and pay-as-you-go style control — useful for startups that may not pass the credit checks older suppliers apply. Decisions come quickly and contracts are flexible by industry standards. As a young company it lacks a long track record, and some customers find its credit and payment terms strict, so read the contract carefully before signing.
5. British Gas Business
There is a reason many first-time business owners default to British Gas: it is familiar, it supplies every size of firm, and its engineer network and add-ons such as boiler cover can genuinely help a new premises owner. Billing and account tools are mature. The counterargument is price — its standard offers are rarely the market’s sharpest — and support can feel like dealing with a very large machine. Compare its quote rather than assuming the household name is the best value.
6. ScottishPower
ScottishPower offers new businesses the reassurance of a major supplier backed by Iberdrola, with green tariffs supported by its substantial UK wind farm portfolio. Fixed contracts up to several years give young firms cost certainty, and the online account management is solid. Service reviews are more mixed than the challenger suppliers on this list, and small accounts do not always get the fastest responses, so factor that in alongside the headline rate.
7. Pozitive Energy
Pozitive Energy has grown quickly by focusing on SMEs, offering gas, electricity and water with flexible credit terms that can suit companies still building a trading history. Its smart-meter-led approach and responsive account handling win praise from small firms. As a relatively young supplier it does not have the decades-long pedigree of the majors, and its brand is unfamiliar to many, which puts some cautious founders off. For those willing to look past the name, it is competitive.
8. EDF Energy
EDF rounds out the list for new businesses that expect to scale. It is financially robust, offers zero-carbon electricity backed by its generation fleet, and provides a clear upgrade path from simple SME tariffs to managed contracts as consumption grows. Startups who want a supplier they will not outgrow should shortlist it. Be prepared for a more corporate experience: processes are thorough rather than fast, which can frustrate founders used to instant everything.
Questions new businesses ask
- What happens if I move into premises without a contract? You will be charged deemed or out-of-contract rates, which are usually well above negotiated prices. You cannot be cut off for lack of a contract, but you should agree terms quickly.
- Can a new business get energy with no credit history? Yes. Some suppliers, such as Valda and Pozitive, are set up for thinner credit files, and a broker can steer you towards suppliers likely to accept you — sometimes with a deposit or smart prepayment arrangement.
- Are business energy contracts different from domestic ones? Substantially. There is no cooling-off period on most business contracts, prices are quoted per business, and contracts run for fixed terms. That is why comparing before you sign matters more, not less.
The bottom line
A new business has enough to worry about without decoding the energy market. Shortlist two or three suppliers from this list, or hand the job to Utility Bidder and let its team compare the market, negotiate the rate and sort the switch while you get on with launching.
