Projects and opportunities
Current projects
In October 2025, Tower Hamlets launched a £400K suite of four business support projects for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and female founders.
Think Start Up2
Think Start Up2 is a fast-track programme to build a business the lean way. If you have a business idea but not sure where to start, join this programme to turn your idea into action.
You will receive practical hands-on advice, expert guidance to help test, validate and grow your idea. Perfect for side hustlers who are ready to take the next step.
Find out more information and complete the application form for Think StartUp 2.
Supported Access to Finance2
Supported Access to Finance2 supports aspiring entrepreneurs using more traditional methods that require financial backing. Through this project you will attend training, develop a business plan and register a new business on Companies House or register as self-employed.
Eligible participants will have an opportunity to apply for a £2500 grant to kickstart your business journey.
Find out more information and register to take part in Supported Access to Finance 2.
Women Mean Business 2
Women Mean Business 2 will support the growth of existing female led businesses in Tower Hamlets. It will support businesses that are already established (minimum 18 months already trading) and need support and guidance to grow their enterprise.
Find out more information and complete the application form for Women Mean Business 2.
Support for Startups
Support for Startups will support the survival and growth of early-stage startup businesses through a programme of mentorship, technical assistance, workshops and networking opportunities to help founders build strong, scalable businesses.
Find out more and register to take part in Support for Startups.
Community Toilet Scheme
Join the Tower Hamlets Community Toilet Scheme to boost your business:
- aids local businesses in providing cleaner, safer, and accessible toilets
- increase footfall and revenue by offering these facilities
- turn passersby into loyal customers and enjoy free publicity
- proudly promote your inclusion, enhancing visibilit
- support community initiatives and strengthen relationships.
Our primary focus is to provide essential facilities for:
- the elderly
- women
- children and
- people with disabilities wherever suitable facilities are available.
If you have a clean and safe toilet, contact us today for more details.
Email: highstreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Previous projects
Business Cost Reduction Project
This project supported businesses to reduce their operating expenses and helped improve their cashflow, improve profitability, free up capital to invest and generally become more cost efficient.
In 2024/2025 Tower Hamlets invested over £700k in a suite of five projects to support aspiring entrepreneurs, established businesses and community and voluntary sector organisations:
Supported Access to Finance
This grant-based project provided start up business support to aspiring entrepreneurs through both 1:1 and group-based training and workshops resulting in
- 134 people receiving an average of six hours of training
- 111 new businesses being created
- 100 people receiving a £2500 grant to kickstart their new business journey
Think Startup and Lean Startup
These two startup projects supported 134 Tower Hamlets based aspiring entrepreneurs through a series of bootcamps and workshops designed to help aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs build a solid foundation for their business, with a particular focus to starting a business without financial backing.
Women Mean Business
This project supported 51 female founders to grow and scale, safeguarding existing businesses. Each participant received tailored support specific to their business, enhanced business planning, strategy and growth expertise.
Social Enterprise Impact Project
This project supported 50 VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets to develop alternative revenue streams through the development of a social enterprise. Each organisation received individual training and support along with clear actionable steps to achieve their goals.
SME Sustainability Project
30 Tower Hamlets Micro and Small businesses were able to access 1:1 support to look at ways their business could be more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. Each business that took part also received marketing materials to promote green efforts and an energy monitor
Energy Reduction Programme
This project provided an on-site energy audit to 40 SMEs, each receiving a tailored reduction plan and access to interactive workshops to help local small business owners, make their business greener.
Business owners were supported with a grant of £2500 to implement their energy reduction plan and make positive steps in reducing their energy consumption.
Creative and Cultural Futures - Ended May 2022
This business support project targeted freelancers and owners of micro and small businesses in the cultural and creative sectors, a sector which largely didn’t benefit from government support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
64 micro and small Tower Hamlets based freelancers and small businesses received up to £1000 to enable them to change their existing operations to generate new income or identify avenues for alternative or additional revenue streams, along with specialist support provided for each business.
Business Adaptation Grant - Ended March 2022
This business support project provided 215 Tower Hamlets based micro and small businesses with a programme of businesses support and up to £1250 in match funding to adapt their business in a post covid environment, and take steps in safeguarding and future-proofing their business.
Pivot Project 1 - Ended March 2021
This business support programme offered £1000 grants to micro and small businesses to pivot their businesses model, to survive and thrive through the turbulent economic period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Project saw 50 Tower Hamlets based micro and small businesses benefit from the scheme, each receiving £1000 to pivot their business model which included an average of six hours support each.