Workshops, networking events and ongoing opportunities
We’re here to help businesses in our community thrive by offering tailored resources, expert-led workshops, practical training sessions and valuable networking events. Whether you’re a start-up or a well-established company in Newham, our goal is to support your growth, connect you with other local businesses and wider partners and provide access to essential tools and knowledge.
Explore our upcoming events, discover specialised training programs and join a thriving network of like-minded professionals. Together, let’s build a resilient and successful business community.
February Events
Grow London Local: Queer business networking
Wednesday 4 February - 12:00-14:00
Connect with like-minded queer professionals across industries at this inclusive Grow London Local networking event, featuring inspiring conversations and guest speakers.
Growing your workforce through Apprenticeships
Location: Newham College, 5th floor, Solar House, 1-9 Romford Road, E15 4LJ
Feb 9 from 9:15am to 11:30am GMT
Our Newham Business & Enterprise in partnership with Newham College, University of East London and Newham Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an information session for businesses to find out about apprenticeships. Learn how apprenticeships can help you grow your workforce or upskill existing staff, including access to funding, available support and the process for hiring an apprentice.
Join us and let us help shape a successful future for your team and your business. Network with like-minded businesses and partners. Refreshments will be provided.
Sustainable Business Growth Breakfast
Location: UEL Docklands Campus, Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, E16 2RD
Thursday Feb 19 from 8:00am to 10:00am GMT
Hosted at the University of East London’s flagship innovation hub, the session aims to bring together a diverse mix of founders, innovators, and growth driven entrepreneurs from across East London. Designed as an energising morning meet-up, the Breakfast will offer opportunities for business leaders to share insights, spark collaborations, and explore practical pathways toward scaling sustainable enterprises.
Read more and book your ticket:
Women Entrepreneurs Network’s Business Retreat
Friday 27 February - Sunday 1 March
Hosted by King's Entrepreneurship Institute and the Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN), the annual Women Entrepreneurs Network’s Business Retreat returns with a jam-packed weekend of inspiring sessions, practical workshops and community building to help you and your business idea thrive!
Taking place in-person, this 3-day retreat is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a strong understanding of a problem or challenge and have developed a potential marketable solution that they want to pursue.
March Events
Tech Show London
4-5 March
Tech Show London returns - bringing together over 17,000 technology professionals and business leaders for two days of innovation, insight and connection. Across five co-located events - Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Cloud & Cyber Security Expo, Big Data & AI World, Data Centre World and DevOps Live - attendees explore how to build, secure and scale the digital foundations of tomorrow.
Discover 400+ leading solution providers, hear from 300+ expert speakers and gain practical takeaways on AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data and DevOps.
Best Business Awards - Nominate Now
Tuesday 3 March - 10:00-16:30
Nominate yourself or a business you admire for the Best Business Awards London — celebrating real business journeys and impact across the capital.
Business Breakfast Meeting – SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday 11 March - 8.00–11.00
Join Newham Chamber of Commerce for “Video and Vox”, a special breakfast at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park focused on presentation skills, networking and business growth.
Share Your Insights: Identifying Your Training Needs
Newham College is committed to working hand-in-hand with local employers to ensure its training and apprenticeship programmes meet the real skills needs of London’s priority sectors. Through the London Talent Pathways initiative, its developing new programmes designed to help Londoners secure sustainable, well-paid employment while driving local business growth.
Please take a few minutes to share your views. Your insights will directly influence future course design, work experience opportunities, and employer partnerships at Newham College.
Ongoing Opportunities for businesses
Grow London Local
Grow London Local will give you free access to all the support you need to help grow your business. Explore our online library for events, support programmes and expert-led content designed to help you achieve your business goals.
Newable
Newable helps companies thrive by providing the essential resources they need to take the next step with their business. They support companies of all shapes, styles and sizes because variety and diversity fuels a thriving economy. Click on the above link to view its upcoming events/webinars.
Google for Startups
Google for Startups supports growing startups to utilise its resources, classes, connections and expertise to build their technical skills and knowledge.
It runs a number of programmes including:
- Startup School: Provides practical workshops on training for startup founders and their teams, covering topics including SEO, user experience and Google ads.
- Residency: Supports growth-stage startups to make the most of Google’s products, connections and best practices. Startups benefit from tailored mentoring, as well as access to workspace.
- Live sessions: A virtual event series bringing together Google experts, industry leaders, venture capitalists and coaches to support founders with their questions.
- Immersion (black founders): A 12-week skill-building mentorship programme for Black-founded startups. It prepares founders to grow their businesses, raise funding, and advance their leadership skills.
- Immersion (women founders): A 12-week mentorship-focused programme connecting women-founded startups from across Europe with Google resources.
Click here to find out more.
Hear from a consortium of respected speakers to discuss the incredible value of having a more diverse and inclusive supply chain.
Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust for young people
Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust is a charity which offers business loans to young people aged 18-39 who are "in need by reason of ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantages" to establish and develop new businesses.
The maximum loan is £50,000 starting at 2% interest. Please note that, as part of the application process, a robust business plan with detailed and realistic financial forecasts is required.
Help to Grow: Management Course
The Help to Grow: Management Course is designed and delivered by entrepreneurs and industry experts from world-class business schools. It provides:
- access to 12 weeks of learning designed to fit alongside work commitments
- development of a bespoke business growth plan to help your business reach its full potential
- 1:1 support from a business mentor
- networking opportunities
The programme is 90% funded by the Government so you only pay £750.
The Mayor of London’s scrappage scheme for businesses
The Mayor of London’s new scrappage scheme for vans and minibuses has been designed to further tackle the negative impact of toxic air pollution in London. It will enable eligible SMEs and charities with ten or less employees to replace polluting vehicles that don't meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) emissions standards – ULEZ is expanding to include outer London on 29 August.
The scrappage scheme offers six grant payment options. We encourage Newham businesses who aren’t ULEZ compliant to consider trading up to a fully electric vehicle using either a grant of £7,500 for a van or £9,500 for a minibus.
Queen Mary University of London's qNomics Programme offers free business services ranging from advice and training on business finance to planning, market research and expansion.
This free advice and support is delivered by students from Queen Mary's School of Economics and Finance under the supervision of expert practitioners who volunteer their services as part of their commitment to pro bono work.
Eagle Labs Academy is a digital learning platform that equips start-ups and scaling businesses with the skills, knowledge, and expert support needed for successful growth. Backed by a UK Government Digital Growth Grant, Eagle Labs brings together a nationwide network of incubators, mentors, and industry specialists to help innovators, private investors, corporates, and public-sector organisations develop and thrive. Whether you’re a pre-founder or an early-stage business, the programme provides tailored guidance to help you launch, scale, and strengthen your venture. Contact us to learn more or book a session with Barclays.
