Get business support.
Get help and support for your business. We know that businesses are struggling with rising costs, energy prices, and continued inflation. We want to nurture and support businesses in Hackney to thrive. Below is a range of resources and funding aimed at supporting small businesses.
On this page:
Council services for businesses
At the Hackney Business Network, we are here to help our business community. We have a range of available business support services available. See below for how we can help your small business thrive.
Affordable workspaces
If you're looking for a new property or workspace, check out our Workspace Provider List. If you would like to register as an Approved Workspace provider, we can help.
Staffing and recruitment
Hackney Council provides a range of free and bespoke advice and recruitment services. Grow your team. Get access to local talent. Upskill your team.
Council services
Hackney Council offers a range of services that are helpful to anyone operating a business within the borough. Including help with business rates, commercial waste and licensing.
Marketing support
Need help with building awareness of your business? Are you struggling to get in front of the right clients? We can help you increase your brand exposure by featuring your business on our channels.
Become a market trader
If you’d like to trade at one of Hackney’s famous street markets, we’re here to help you through every step of the process. New traders get a 25% discount on the first month of pitch fees.
Are you a green business?
Sustainability is becoming a bigger priority for businesses and consumers. We want a greener, healthier Hackney. Find resources and available funding below.
Find a business training programme
Are you a budding entrepreneur looking to start a business? Do you need help upskilling to help future-proof your business? Or are you interested in scaling up your established business? You can find a range of externally provided accelerator training programmes listed below. This includes programmes focusing on targeted skills training, coaching, and mentoring.
Allia Future Business Centre
Open to all small businesses in London who are looking to grow. This free, three-month program is designed to grow your business, increase revenue and create local employment opportunities.
NatWest Accelerator Course
NatWest offers a range of accelerator programmes. The Entrepreneur Pre-Accelerator programme is a fully-funded eight-week course for entrepreneurs with a great business idea.
Grow London Local
Grow London Local is a free regional business support service providing a range of support including access to finance, marketing to boost sales, upskilling, and much more.
HCD
The Hackney Cooperatives Development supports the creation and growth of cooperatives and social enterprises through programmes including the Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney Initiative.
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust runs in-person and online enterprise programmes aimed at 18-30 year old’s looking to start a business.
Heart of the City
Heart of the City supports SMEs in London to get started with responsible businesses. SMEs in Hackney can apply for a funded place on its Foundation for Responsible Business Programme.
Help to Grow: Management Essentials
Help to Grow: Management Essentials is a free, online course that explains the essential business concepts required for growth.
Upskill your tech and AI skills
With the rise of ChatGPT and AI technologies, the need for digital skills in the workplace is increasing. Do you need help with upskilling your team? Are you interested in a future in tech but don’t know where to start? Below are some helpful coding and tech academies to help you get started.
Data and AI Academy
Hackney Council, in partnership with Cambridge Spark, is offering non-levy paying businesses the opportunity to access cutting-edge data and AI programmes taught by industry experts.
OneTech
OneTech provides free support for underrepresented founders to start and grow a business. OneTech focuses on increasing opportunities for female and ethnic minority business founders.
Local business networks
The Stoke Newington Business Association
The SNBA is a business-led network that provides support and promotion for local businesses. Members can access the members area of the website, download and use the See you in Stokey imagery, and post job vacancies. Membership costs £50 per year.
Hackney Downs Business Network
The Hackney Downs Business Network is a business-led network of local businesses in the Hackney Downs area. The network created the Hello Hackney Downs campaign, a website showcasing an interactive map of the area providing a new dynamic set of business listings, offers and opportunities.
Useful resources for your business
Accelerating Business Growth
Newable Advice can help you access expert business advice from 60+ advisers to help your business survive, sustain and thrive. You can also access services on their Money and Workspace strands includings loans, commercial finance and flexible working solutions.
Business for London
If you are looking for work, other employment opportunities or you are a new or existing Hackney-based business owner, trading for less than 5 years, needing help, then Business for London can support you in finding a mentor.
Bright Ideas Trust
Bright Ideas Trust can help you start a business, gain access to mentoring and expert business support. Available if you are between 16 to 30 years old.
Open to Export
Open to Export is a community-driven service for SMEs looking for support to grow internationally by exporting from the UK. Companies can work together and share information, advice and support about export market opportunities and means of entry.
British Library: Business & IP Centre
The British Library: Business & IP Centre is a valuable resource of information on intellectual property, advice sessions with experts and business training.
Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre
The Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre supports anyone looking to start, run or grow their business with free information and events. It’s a public service funded by the City of London Corporation.
Legal Foundations
Legal Foundations is a not-for-profit LawTech startup that has a wide variety of free legal documents and guides that can help you get your business up and running. For example, they host free generators for website terms and conditions, website privacy policies, employment contracts, and more.
