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 December events
Coffee morning
Planning to set up your business? Or take your existing one to the next level?
Join us for a FREE Grow London Local Coffee Morning. You will find the following:
- free support on starting your own business or on your existing business
- local council members for permits, guidance on business setup
- local businesses to network and showcase your businesses to
- regional Business Chamber staff for membership signups
When: Friday 6 December from 10am to 11:30am
Where: MYMA Japanese Restaurant and Cocktails, Canning Town, E16 1XJ
Celebrating Newham's Thriving Businesses
Thursday 5 December – 6:30-10pm
Old Town Hall, Stratford
The Newham Business Awards 2024, now in its eighth year, is set to take place on Thursday 5 December. The event celebrates our thriving SMEs along with the exceptional organisations making a positive impact here in Newham. Similar to the last couple of years, the overall winner will be awarded the John James Business of the Year Award and £1,000 cash prize.
To enter, businesses are encouraged to apply for any of the 12 award categories applicable to their company.
Funding Readiness Programme
Many founders and entrepreneurs are confused by the funding options available to them and to help them navigate the funding landscape better, we’ve designed a programme to help to demystify funding and to provide founders with the skills and knowledge they need to fund their business growth.
Small Business – Big Community
Small Business Saturday (SBS) is a non-commercial campaign celebrating small businesses and encouraging residents to shop local. This year’s theme, Small Business – Big Community, highlights the vital role of community support. Taking place on Saturday, 7 December, the campaign aims to create a lasting impact by promoting local spending, which drives economic growth and community resilience.
We encourage local businesses to join the campaign by signing up for the Small Business Finder and using the Marketing Pack through their My Small Business portal. Shoppers are encouraged to support local businesses throughout the festive season and beyond.
In the lead up to Small Business Saturday, and on the day itself, we will be sharing some useful information on our social media pages X, Instagram & LinkedIn Share your posts with us by tagging @OurNewham and using the hashtags #SmallBizBigCommunity and #NewhamBiz.
We’d love to see how you celebrate and promote your business for Small Business Saturday!
Market Traders Wanted!
As Small Business Saturday approaches, there’s no better time to celebrate and support our local entrepreneurs. This year, we’re excited to offer limited FREE temporary trading licenses to mark the occasion. Join us at The Grove Market in Stratford E15 for a festive market event starting on Saturday 7 December. The market will be open every Friday and Saturday in December from 11am to 7pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for new and seasoned entrepreneurs alike to showcase their business to the community.
To be considered:
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.
