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.
Upcoming August events
Building Better
The Future Industries Demonstrator (FID) advances London’s Just Transition by helping local SMEs scale innovative solutions. Based at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London’s living testbed and Innovation District, FID accelerates the development of technologies and ideas tackling the city’s most urgent challenges.
The fourth innovation cycle titled Building Better (launching soon) is looking to support SMEs working towards:
- Improving indoor air quality
- Delivering solutions that lowers energy bills and carbon emissions.
- Scaling nature-based solutions that support healthier, more sustainable buildings.
- Advancing digital tools and models that proactively predict and manage risks.
- Empowering residents and building users through accessible information and engagement strategies that drive positive behavioural change.
- Providing innovative methods to measure and demonstrate the real-world impact and efficacy of health, comfort, and sustainability improvements.
For more information
Help to Grow Management Programme
The Help to Grow Management programme aims to help business leaders boost their leadership skills and improve business performance.
The programme is 90% Government-funded, and the enrolment fee for each learner is £750. The full fee would be £7,500.
Help to Grow will be running an information session in September at our office. To express your interest email us.
Master AI. Own Your Future
AI isn’t the future. It’s happening now! Foundervine, in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact, is launching Pulse to help founders and professionals across the UK get confident with AI. Whether you run a business or work in one, this programme is designed to give you the skills to adapt, stay ahead, and work smarter.
Foundervine will deliver three high-impact cohorts for business owners. You can join in-person or virtually. For more information:
September Events
Discover how the Help to Grow course can boost your business
Thursday 4th September – 11am-12pm
Our Newham office, 112-118 The Grove, E15 1NS
Join our information session to discover how the Help to Grow management course can transform the way you lead and grow your business.
Finance and resources for Creative Businesses
Thursday 4 September - 11am-12.30pm
Royal Docks Sustainability Centre
Royal Docks Creative Studios (RDCS) will host the Finance and Resources for Creative Businesses — an interactive panel event designed to help creatives grow, innovate, and access new opportunities.
Highlights include:
- Practical advice on securing funding for your creative projects
- Guidance on business support and growth resources
- Insights on collaborating with universities for innovation and recruitment
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, hear from experts, and connect with others in Newham’s creative community.
To register
The Rebel School's 10-week Side Hustle Experiment
Monday 8th September
The workshop will guide participants on how to choose the right product, test it without upfront costs, and make that first sale — all designed to fit around full or part-time work, caring responsibilities, or stay-at-home parenting. It’s all part of The Rebel School's 10-week Side Hustle Experiment starting 8th September.
For more information and to register
Digital Growth for Newham SMEs: Social Media & Beyond
Thursday 11 September - 10am -12pm
Locaation: Solar House 1-9 Romford Road London E15 4LJ
The first session focuses on social media and Linkedin to help businesses build their digital presence and connect with customers.
For more information and to book
NCC Women in Business Breakfast Meeting sponsored by Barclays Bank
Monday 15th September - 8am-11.30am
Barclays Bank (Stratford Branch), E15 1XJ
The NCC Women in Business network is currently driven by female Chamber members and is open to all particularly those with an interest in boosting local female-led business start-up, survival and of course, growth so please join us at Barclays Bank in Stratford and hear from finance, lending and entrepreneurship experts in their field with first-hand knowledge and experience in understanding why and how some or all of these barriers might be overcome!
To book your tickets
Calling Newham Suppliers!
Wednesday 17th September - 10am-2pm
Our Newham, The Grove, Stratford, E15 1NS
Learn how to submit strong funding applications, sell your services effectively, and boost your chances of winning work. This free session is the perfect way to prepare for the East London Meet the Buyers event in October.
Spaces are limited — to secure your place
eCommerce Expo & Technology for Marketing 2025
24th –25th September 2025
ExCeL London
Explore the UK’s biggest eCommerce event alongside the premier Marketing and AI showcase. Across two days, discover the latest in customer acquisition, logistics, AI, and MarTech through inspiring content sessions, networking, and solution discovery — all under one roof.
For more information and to book
Introduction to Startup Law
Thursday 25th September – 2:30-4pm
Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre, EC2V 5AG
If you're on the verge of launching your dream business or already navigating the world of start-ups, you won't want to miss this event! Unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and embark on a thrilling adventure into the realm of start-up law with Michael Buckworth, the founder of Buckworths, the only law firm in the UK working exclusively with startups and high growth businesses.
To book
Upcoming October events
Black Pound Market 2025
Are you a Black-owned business, entrepreneur, food vendor, or workshop facilitator with ties to Newham? Apply for a stall at our vibrant market on Saturday 25 October (2–6pm).
Sponsor Opportunity: If you would like to support this event, please contact us.
Deadline: Monday 8 September 9am
To apply
November Events
The Business Show
12th-13th November
Excel London
The UK’s biggest event for business growth returns. Whether you’re launching, scaling, or taking your business global, this is where opportunities meet action. Secure your free ticket today and be part of it.
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.
