Business Training/Support
Mentorsme – Web link to companies that offer mentoring services. Some offer free services and also some are sector specific.
http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/
London Growth Hub
Who: Pre-starts, start-ups, established.
What: Virtual growth hub delivered totally by the Business Support Helpline on behalf of the Greater London Authority (GLA). There is no face-to-face support.
Sectors: All
Where: Greater London covers all 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.
Website: www.lep.london/growthhub
Tel: 0300 456 3565 (Business Support Helpline)
Additional Information: The website includes: a map of London’s Incubators, Accelerators, Co-working and artists’ studios with direct links, a link to the Business Finance and Support Finder search tool, a monthly blog on topics relevant to SMEs, Video case studies
Waltham Forest Borough Council
Who: Pre-start, Start-up and established
What: Business section of the local council’s website, including information on trading standards, procurement and regulation
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Business-advice.aspx?l1=100002&l2=200013
Tel: 020 8496 3000
Starting Point
What: Free business advice for social enterprises & community businesses.
Website: http://www.starting-point.org.uk/
Tel: 0203 288 2100
GLE Group
Who: Pre-start and start-up
What: Free and subsidised workshops, tailored start-up support, and Start Up loans
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.gle.co.uk/advice/starting-a-business.php
Tel: 0800 032 0946
Enterprise in the City – Westminster Kingsway College
Who: Start-up and established, 18-30 year old entrepreneurs only, London based
What: 1-1 support from experienced coaches and mentors, networking, seminars, master classes, one-day surgeries and short business courses, and access to business and knowledge hubs for ongoing advice and support
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://01zero-one.co.uk/enterprise-in-the-city/
Telephone: Nina Jassal on 020 7391 6402
E-mail: nina.jassal@westking.ac.uk
Additional Information: This initiative is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Business & IP Centre – British Library
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Free and subsidised networking events, subsidised workshops, webinars, Intellectual Property centre, “Ask an expert” service, business books, databases and publications to help users research companies, markets and sectors
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/
Tel: 020 7412 7901
Additional Information: Users will need to apply for a Reader Pass to access the hard copy / electronic resources. Advanced booking required for Ask an Expert Service.
Innovating for Growth programme
Who: Established (minimum 1 year trading and £100K turnover, based in London, with an innovative plan for growth)
What: Advice & support – fully-funded, tailored advice and support to small businesses with big ambitions to grow. A 3-month programme organised by the Business and IP Centre in London.
When: Next deadline for applications is June 15th 2015.
Website: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/growth/innovating-for-growth/innovating.html
Application Form: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/growth/application-process/i4gapplication.html
Additional Information: The advisors are experts in business strategy, branding, market penetration, intellectual property, product and service development and business sustainability. Support with market research using the British Library’s immense collections of business and market information. Networking opportunities at ‘Growth Club’ and ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ events.
City Business Library
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Free business information and business workshops, access to market research and statistical information
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://tinyurl.com/citybusinesslibrary
Tel: 020 7332 1812
Additional Information: Users can create their own business to business mailing lists free of charge using the library’s databases (the library can create lists for customers for a charge).
Skills Support for the Workforce – London
Who: Start-up and established
What: Free staff training
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://ss4w.co.uk/
Additional Information: The scheme, supported by the European Social Fund, offers free staff training up to and including level 3 for SMEs employing less than 250 people. Level 4 training is free for businesses with 1-49 staff. A training needs analysis will be conducted with the business before training commences. Businesses must be located in London. Check the website for individual contacts at the colleges.
Business Extra
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Enterprise and innovation support services. Business advice. Support for Foreign businesses looking to establish a European presence
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://bizextra.biz/
Tel: 020 7 701 0011
Additional Information: Business Extra is based in Southwark. Business advice services are chargeable unless client is unemployed.
Doing Business In London
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Portal provided by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to help to start up and grow a business.
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/for-business
Additional Information: Seminars and workshops, trade missions, supply chain contracts, recruitment including foreign workers and apprenticeships, international business and a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
UKTI London
Who: Start-up and established
What: Support for companies in London that want to trade and invest overseas.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-trade-investment
Tel: 020 7234 3000
E-mail: export@uktilondon.org.uk
Export and Import Advice – London Chamber of Commerce
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Free information and advice on trade related issues such as customs procedures, tariffs, trade legislation, and tax matters related to exporting and importing
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.londonchamber.co.uk/lcc_public/article.asp?aid=3998
E-mail: europe@londonchamber.co.uk
Additional Information: The service is open Mondays to Fridays from 9.00am to 5.30pm. Also operate the Enterprise Europe Network service in conjunction with other partners. Contact via e-mail.
Enterprise Europe Network – London
Who: Start-up and established
What: Support with internationalisation, EU Funding and innovation (workshops, seminars, brokerage events, company missions, 1-1 support
Sectors: All
Website: http://www.een-london.co.uk/
Tel: 020 7940 1512
Capital Enterprise – Mentoring
Who: Start-up and established
What: Free mentoring service for London’s ambitious small businesses looking to grow
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://capitalenterprise.org/services/mentoring
E-mail: ashley@capitalenterprise.org
Additional Information: The business mentors are trained and SFEDI qualified senior business professionals, drawn predominately from the City, who are able and willing to provide up to 12 hours of 1-2-1 support to entrepreneurs. To be eligible for the service, the business must be trading in London.
Fab Lab London
Who: Pre-start, start-up and established
What: Access to digital fabrication tools, an electronics lab, education workshops (digital technology, rapid hardware prototyping, 3D printing and sustainable design practices), making events and a vibrant community.
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://fablablondon.org/
Additional Information: The City of London’s first purpose built digital fabrication and rapid prototyping workspace based in the City near Bank tube station. Fab Lab London’s main focus is helping people and start-ups rapidly prototype ideas which require a combination of physical production, design know-how and electronics. Friday is open access day. A brief health & safety induction is required before being able to access and use equipment.
London Enterprise Panel
Who: Start-up and established
What: The London Enterprise Panel is the local enterprise partnership for London. It advises the Mayor of London on action required to support enterprise, growth, skills and London’s competitiveness.
Sector: All
When: Ongoing
Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/working-in-partnership/london-enterprise-panel
Tel: 020 7983 4420
E-mail: londonenterprisepanel@london.gov.uk
Additional Information: Whilst the panel may make recommendations to the Mayor with regard to funding and policy decisions, the panel does not directly deliver services such as business support.
Creative Hub
Who: Start-up and established
What: Intensive mentoring programmes, one-to-one sessions with industry professionals, workshops covering topics including pitching for work, social media and brand development, master classes, regular buyers lounges and quarterly networking events.
Sector: Creative
When: Ongoing
Website: http://creative-hub.org.uk/
Tel: 020 8522 5700
E-mail: creative-hub@newham.ac.uk