Local business owners who took part in the pitch competition, alongside partners from Allia, Cllr Shenaly Miah and council staff
From aspiring entrepreneurs with a new idea, to established business owners looking to grow, Tower Hamlets Council is helping local people take the next step in their business journey.
Over the past eight months, 252 residents and business owners accessed the Tower Hamlets Business Support Programme, benefiting from tailored advice, expert mentoring, practical workshops and financial support designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive.
This week, a celebration was held at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, featuring a seminar and networking opportunities for local business owners. Entrepreneurs also had the chance to take part in a pitching competition run by Allia, with winners receiving £5,000 to help boost their business.
Allia partners with Tower Hamlets Council’s Support for Startups, a free programme designed to help entrepreneurs move forward, develop a business plan and access funding opportunities.
Tower Hamlets Council delivered a range of business support programmes designed to help entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Through Support for Startups, 100 early-stage businesses received guidance. While Think Start Up2 helped 30 residents test and develop new business ideas through practical, hands-on support. Supported Access to Finance2 assisted 72 aspiring entrepreneurs with training, business planning and funding opportunities, leading to the creation of 53 new businesses, with 50 participants receiving grants of £2,500 to launch their ventures. The council also supported 50 female-led businesses through Women Mean Business 2, providing workshops, one-to-one mentoring and tailored growth planning to help them strengthen and expand their enterprises.
The programmes have supported entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors, with 53 new businesses created and £125,000 in grants distributed to help local enterprises get off the ground and expand.
The support provided through the programme goes beyond initial training and funding. All participants will continue to receive post-project support and monitoring for a further 12 months, helping them implement their business plans, overcome challenges and maximise opportunities for growth.
Renate, Founder of the Breastfeeding Boat and programme participant said:
"I have received financial support from Tower Hamlets. I was able to hire a website designer who made a beautiful website for me, I also created and printed flyers and leaflets. I was invited to attend several workshops with other new businesses. It just helped me feel more confident by having encouragement from the council. I love having a business here in Tower Hamlets because Tower Hamlets is so diverse."
Cllr Shenaly Miah, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth at Tower Hamlets Council, said:
“Here in Tower Hamlets, we champion local businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs. It has been inspiring to meet such a wide range of business owners today and hear about their journeys, from an initial idea to a start-up and a successful business.
“Our programmes are designed to support people at every stage of their business journey, and it’s fantastic to see the growth and success they have helped enable.
“I’d also encourage our wider community to support local and start-up businesses. And if you have a business idea or are looking for support to grow your business, get in touch with our teams to find out how we can help.”
Residents interested in future opportunities can visit the council's Business Support and Advice webpages or sign up to the council's business newsletter to hear about new programmes as they are announced.
Business support and advice
Posted on Friday 25th September 2026