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): Free tailored advice from our in-house experts in the comfort of our Business Centre in Leytonstone or Online.
• OneTech: Provides underserved communities with the network, skills and confidence to start and sustain a business, with a focus on the Tech sector.
• Prince's Trust: Working with 18 to 30 year-olds to turn big ideas into a business reality.
• Start Up Loans: Provide emerging businesses with access to up to £25,000 to turn their business idea into a reality.
• Grow London Local: the one place to get free access to all the support you need to help start and grow your business.

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

• Business and IP Centre (BIPC):Free tailored advice from our in-house experts in the comfort of our Business Centre in Leytonstone or Online.
• British Library Business and IP Centre: Supporting small businesses to take the right steps to start up and grow.
• The London e-Business Support programme: free 121 digital advice, support and webinars to help businesses enhance their online presence, attract more customers, increase sales and save time and money.
• Property Advice Programme: Free support to SMEs facing commercial property challenges.
• Minority Business Matters: Grow your ethnic minority business with free, tailored support.
• Inclusive Supply Chains: Provides opportunity for businesses to access larger buyers and explore new contract possibilities.
• Adult Learning Service: Unlock the potential of your people and yourself with Waltham Forest’s Adult Learning Service
• Waltham Forest Jobs: Free bespoke recruitment service tailored to your business.
• SHIFT Future Industries Demonstrator:  Support tailored exclusively for London SMEs combating the climate crisis.
• Financial help with apprenticeships: Access the Council's apprenticeship levy to pay for apprenticeship training.
• Grow London Local: the one place to get free access to all the support you need to help start and grow your business.

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: Offers a range of financial products and services to help businesses grow.
• Start Up Loans: Provide emerging businesses with access to up to £25,000 to turn their business idea into a reality.
• Financial help with apprenticeships: Access the Council's apprenticeship levy to pay for apprenticeship training.

The following organisations offer help and advice to help your business become more sustainable and responsible:

• SHIFT Future Industries Demonstrator:  Support  tailored exclusively for London SMEs combating the climate crisis.
• Adopt and Accelerate Programme: Aiding UK businesses in embracing Net Zero solutions.
• Better Futures: For businesses looking to reduce their emissions and cut their energy bills.
• Living Wage: Find out about the business and societal benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer.

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