Business advice

The following organisations offer help and advice for starting your new business and running it in the early days:

• Business and IP Centre (BIPC): Local in partnership with the British Library to benefit businesses at any stage of their development, from early start-ups to established ventures. Workshops are free and ready to be booked.
• Elevate: A business support programme delivered by CRATE and Newable to help start-ups and scale-ups through the Covid-19 economic recovery period, offering a schedule of free workshops and one-to-one advisory sessions to SMEs in Waltham Forest.
• Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre: A business information centre with access to free global business data.
• London Business Hub: Offers a range of business toolkits to help businesses starting out as well as links to relevant support, resources and events.
• Prince's Trust: Working with 18 to 30 year-olds to turn big ideas into a business reality.
• Intellectual Property Office: The official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights, including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.

The following organisations offer help and advice for growing your business:

• Business and IP Centre (BIPC): Local in partnership with the British Library to benefit businesses at any stage of their development, from early start-ups to established ventures. Workshops are free and ready to be booked.
• Elevate: A business support programme delivered by CRATE and Newable to help start-ups and scale-ups through the Covid-19 economic recovery period, offering a schedule of free workshops and one-to-one advisory sessions to SMEs in Waltham Forest.
• e-Business for Growth: helps small business owners engage with and understand how to use digital technology to enhance their online presence; attract more customers and support future growth.
• London Business Hub: offer a range of services like free advisors and toolkits to help your business to grow.
• British Library Business and IP Centre: Supporting small businesses to take the right steps to start up and grow.
• Enterprise Enfield Female Founders Accelerator: Innovative business support and mentoring programme for women who are ready to scale their businesses.
• Mayors International Business Programme: A programme of mentoring and business opportunities for high-growth companies in the life sciences, technology and urban sectors.

The following organisations offer help and advice for funding your business:

• Productive Valley Fund: flexible loan fund to support industry-led growth and celebrate local production and enterprise in the Upper Lee Valley.
• Newable: Working with businesses at the heart of the economy, unleashing potential, building resilience, championing inclusive growth.
• Start Up Loans Company: Start or grow your business with the help of a government-backed Start Up Loan and free business support.
• New Enterprise Allowance: Mentoring and a grant to start your own business if you receive certain state benefits.

There are a number of local business networks offering a range of different benefits. A list of local networks can be found on our business network page