Business Support
Business Support Networks in London Thames Gateway are second to none. Gateway to London works closely with local, regional and national organisations to ensure that the best information and support is available to existing and prospective businesses. Outlined below are just a few of the Business Support initiatives available to firms in London Thames Gateway. Further details are available in our Finance section and Recruitment and Training pages.
Bold and Dynamic (Barking & Dagenham Enterprise)
Barking & Dagenham Enterprise (BDE) encourages, promotes and develops individual, community and business enterprise. BDE is implementing an ambitious programme of inspiring the people of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to seize the opportunities created by Thames Gateway and the 2012 London Olympic Games regeneration and development. The programme covers more than 30 enterprise initiatives each of which is promoted under the Bold and Dynamic brand.
Business Link in London
The London Development Agency manages the Business Link service for London, which offers free, imaprtial information and advice to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in London, available online and through experienced local advisers. Business Link in London's advisers offer a diagnostic service to help SMEs assess their situation, identify options for action, and offer straightforward guidance and action planning to develop their businesses. They can also help to identify and access relevant publicy funded programmes.
CompeteFor
CompeteFor is a contract brokerage service developed by the LDA in collaboration with the Olympic Delivery Authority and LOCOG, to enable businesses of any size to access business opportunities linked to the hosting of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Buyers and suppliers of Games related and other goods and services can register for CompeteFor to post contracts, search for and respond to opportunities, and identify suitable partners. The LDA's Procurement Code requires all bidders to register on the CompeteFor portal in order to access and respond to contract opportunities.
Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA helps thousands of creative individuals, businesses and arts organisations by providing information, business support, professional development training, networking & showcasing opportunities, and by comissioning new work.
All staff members have a specialist background in the creative and cultural sector and in aspects of business support, training, consultancy and management.
East London Small Business Centre
ELSBC is a not for profit private organisation supported by Local Authorities, European funded programmes and the private sector to provide subsidised business support, mentoring, advice and specific services to start ups and small businesses in east London. ELSBC offers access to business training, loans and easy in/easy out incubation space.
East London Business Place (ELBP)
ELBP provides a bespoke brokerage service to SMEs in ten east London boroughs to assist them to win contracts with corporate and public sector buyers. A partnership between the lDA, Canary Wharf Group and the East London Business Alliance, ELBP complements CompeteFor by sourcing and matching local suppliers across all sectors to the purchasing needs of buyers. It ofers free advice and guidance on procurement practice, and a programme of events designed to improve competitiveness.
Keep London Working
The London Development Agency is investing £150 million this year in a wide range of programmes to help small and medium-sized businesses, including support and advice on how to make your business more competitive, access new markets, recruit, train and up-skill staff, and compete for contracts.
Knowledge Connect
Knowledge Connect is a 3-year £5.4 million programme funded by the London Development Agency and European Regional Development Fund to help small and medium-sized companies looking to grow their business by developing new products, services, processes or markets.
The programme is delivered by ANGLE plc, who will provide a business mediator to review the applicant company's growth plan, and team them up with a choice of appropriate experts from London's knowledge base of universities, colleges and research institutions, to bring new skills, expertise and resources to the business. This support is funded through Collaboration Vouchers for £3,000 or £10,000, depending on the complexity of the project.
Knowledge Dock
Knowledge Dock is an internet-based support and communication network designed to facilitate the conversion of ideas and research into working business applications. Through its links with research and development organisations and technology networks around the world, Knowledge Dock provides its members with the opportunity for global networking and marketing to help them win new business overseas.
Own It
Own It is a pan London service to help SME's retain exclusivity to new products, designs and ideas. Own It is a partnership between Creative London and the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London.
Thames Innovation Centre Enterprise Team
The Enterprise Team provide a one-stop business advice and support service for start-ups, micro and small businesses. The on-site team of business advisers is well placed to help businesses get up and running, and to plan for the unexpected. The Enterprise Team provides aid and guidance to any small firm looking to expand and flourish in Bexley. The services include financial health checks, access to expert business advisers, links to regional business agencies and much more.
If you're thinking of starting a not-for-profit business venture, they can help too. Thanks to European funding, they can offer quality advice and suport to help local community enterprise get off the ground.
