B2B buying signals: 15 examples and where to find each for free
A buying signal is a dated public event suggesting a company has the problem you solve. Many of the best ones are free to find, including new registrations, contract wins, licences and regulatory filings. These 15 come from more than 80 public sources we have collected from.
15 signals you can start with
The last column shows what we kept after filtering in a 30-day collection run ending 8 November 2026. A dash means we did not count that source over the same period.
| Signal | What it suggests | Who can sell on it | Free source | Kept in 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK company incorporated | Setting up finance, insurance and tools | Accountants, business banks, insurers | Companies House | About 15,000 a week registered |
| US private company files a raise | New capital to spend | Recruiters, payroll, insurers | SEC EDGAR Form D | - |
| UK company wins a large public contract | New work to staff and deliver | Subcontractors, staffing firms, lenders | Find a Tender | 271 events, 253 companies |
| UK company wins a smaller public contract | The same, at smaller suppliers | Equipment suppliers, local services | Contracts Finder | 794 events, 619 companies |
| New US healthcare organisation | Needs software, billing and suppliers | Practice software, medical billing | NPI Registry | 7,354 events, 7,006 organisations |
| New New York liquor licence | A bar or restaurant is opening | Point of sale, suppliers, insurers | Open NY | 1,398 events, 1,351 businesses |
| New Texas liquor licence | The same, in Texas | Point of sale, suppliers, insurers | Texas Open Data | 423 events, 405 businesses |
| New US trucking company | Needs insurance and fuel accounts | Insurers, fuel cards, compliance services | US DOT open data | 2,548 events, 2,546 carriers |
| Chicago building permit | A project is about to start | Materials, equipment, subcontractors | Chicago Data Portal | 198 events, 141 companies |
| New US bank branch | A site to fit out and equip | Security, signage, local services | FDIC BankFind | 24 events, 23 banks |
| FDA 510(k) clearance | A device is heading to market | Regulatory consultants, manufacturers | FDA 510(k) files | - |
| FDA warning letter | A compliance problem with a deadline | Quality consultants, remediation software | FDA warning letters | - |
| UK medicine or device alert | A recall or safety issue to manage | Quality and regulatory services | MHRA alerts | - |
| New French company notice | A new or changed business | Local accountants, banks, software | BODACC | - |
| Job post for a role you support | A team is building that function | Training, tooling, recruiters | Company job boards on Greenhouse, Lever and Ashby | - |
How to pick the right one
Run each candidate through four questions.
- Does the event create the problem you solve? A new licence creates a compliance deadline. A funding round may create nothing for your product.
- Can you name the company and the date? If you can't link to the record, you can't use it in a first line.
- Can you reach the person who decides? Some records name a company that has no website or public team.
- Is there enough volume? Pull one week. If it can't fill your weekly outreach, combine it with a second signal.
What we learned testing more than 400 sources
We have evaluated 403 public sources and collected from more than 80 of them. Three lessons will save you time if you are doing this yourself.
- Many sources fail. We dropped 166 because they were blocked, stale, had no dated list of new records, or named no companies. The FCA register, for example, offers no simple way to list newly authorised firms.
- Most rows get thrown away. Only 17% of Find a Tender suppliers and 28% of Contracts Finder suppliers passed our filters. NPI Registry organisations did better at 81%.
- Popular signals can be weak. Many Form D filers are funds and property vehicles, so filter them hard. Form D is also due within 15 days after the first sale, which means the raise is already under way.
A signal is evidence. It does not prove someone wants to buy, so read the record before you rely on it.
Next step
Choose one signal and follow our step-by-step method for finding new business leads for free. If your market is UK companies, start with the list of newly registered companies.