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 October events
UK Black Business Week and Show
14-18 October
Excel London
UK Black Business Week is a week-long series of events (13–18 October) celebrating, supporting and connecting Black entrepreneurs and professionals.
The event will host thematic talks and sessions throughout the week such as Black Women Business Talks, Black Tech Experience, Black Property Talks, Black Finance Talks, Black in Legal, Black Media, Culture & Sports, and more.
To find out more:
Discover how the Help to Grow course can boost your business
Friday 24th October – 4-5pm
Online
Join our information session to discover how the Help to Grow management course can transform the way you lead your skills and your business performance.
November Events
London's Good Work Standard - A Scale-up East Business Growth Breakfast
Thursday 6 Nov - 08:30-10:30am
London City Hall, E16 1ZE
The event will be hosted by Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth. Join like-minded East London employers for a morning of networking and learning about this free accreditation for employers of all sizes and in all sectors.
Discover how implementing good work practices can drive growth and success for your business.
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.
East London Business Summit
Thursday 20 November – 10am-4pm
ExCeL London
This flagship event brings together SMEs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across East London for a day of high-value networking, practical insights, and proven opportunities for growth.
We’ll also be exhibiting at the summit, and we’d love for you to come and visit our stand. It’s a great chance to meet us in person and hear more about how we can support you and your business.
Here’s what else you can expect on the day:
Meet the Buyer Zone – Pitch your business directly to procurement teams from major organisations.
Expanded Exhibition – Explore services, suppliers, and support designed to help your business thrive.
Expert-Led Seminars – Covering funding, bid-writing, digital growth, social media and more.
Exclusive 1-to-1 Expert Sessions:
- Ashley Leeds – The 15-Minute Guy: Learn how to transform your LinkedIn presence in just minutes a day. Book your slot here!
- Get Funding Team: Receive tailored advice on securing the funding your business needs. Book your slot here
Whether you want to win new contracts, secure funding, or build valuable connections, the East London Business Summit is designed to help you succeed.
Your place is free — but spaces are limited.
DevelopMentor Programme
5th, 12th, 19th and 26th November (must be available to attend all four sessions)
9:30–11am – Online on Zoom
The content covers many topics that support your young people to stay within the business and achieve their apprenticeships, including:
· What the line manager’s role is (and isn’t)
· The key line management challenges you experience
· Inclusive Leadership
· Habit forming
· Situational leadership – how to be the best manager for a diverse range of people
· Trust and psychological safety
· Objective setting and decision making
· Coaching and mentoring skills
Upcoming December Events
Newham Business Awards 2025
Now in its 9th year, the Newham Business Awards returns to spotlight the incredible achievements of local businesses across the borough.
Whether you're a high street retailer, a social enterprise, or a young entrepreneur or startup, this is your chance to be recognised with 12 award categories to choose from, there’s something for every type of business. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the prestigious gala evening on Friday 5 December, where winners from each category will compete for the coveted John James Business of the Year Award, which comes with a £1,000 cash prize.
Eligibility includes individuals or organisations based in Newham or those with a strong foothold in Newham, without requiring Chamber of Commerce membership.
Apply by 5pm on Friday 7 November!
For more information
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.
