Previous Programmes
What is the Harrow Business Support (Growth) Programme?
(April 2024 - March 2025)
The Harrow Business Support (Growth) Programme supported small businesses in Harrow looking to grow but unsure where to start.
Our expert team analysed each business, identified areas for improvement, and provided personalised advice to accelerate growth.
How the Programme Helped
The programme provided focused support in three key areas:
Marketing Strategy – refining the approach to reach the right audience and build brand visibility.
Business Development – identifying opportunities for growth and strengthening client relationships.
Management Systems – improving processes to create efficiency and support sustainable growth.
What was Included?
Initial Assessment
We provide expert business advisors to analyse your business and identify possible improvements.
One-to-one Support
With a minimum of 4 hours of face-to-face support, you can ensure your business’s unique needs are being taken into account.
Action Plan
By analysing and building an understanding of your business, our experts can detail an action plan to guide your business forward.
Additional Training
This programme also provides additional training and educational resources to build your skills and feel confident going forward.
What is the Harrow Female
Start-up Accelerator Programme?
(September 2024 - March 2025)
The Harrow Female Startup Accelerator Programme (HFSA) was a six-week initiative providing accelerated business support, coaching, and mentoring to female residents of Harrow.
Key Objectives:
- Develop their entrepreneurial skills
- Create a business plan
- Develop a pitch deck for investment and raising finance
- Be ready to launch their business
How it worked:
We delivered a business support programme for aspiring entrepreneurs in the London Borough of Harrow. Registered participants, met with business advisers, attended four workshops and two peer-to-peer sessions (mostly online), and received ongoing one-to-one support.
The programme was led by experienced female entrepreneurs Naima Omasta-Milsom (our co-founder) and Lisa Mynheer, who brought over 60 years of combined knowledge & business mentoring expertise.
What was Included?
1:1 Business Advice and Support
Each participant was assigned a business adviser who worked with them on a 1:1 basis—either online or in person—to help create an actionable business plan and financial forecasts. These supported participants in launching their ventures or raising finance.
Regular meetings with advisers allowed participants to track progress and receive up-to-date, tailored advice.
Workshops/Webinars
To enhance participants’ knowledge and supplement their 1:1 sessions, a series of webinars and workshops were delivered covering key areas such as Business Planning, Marketing, and Financial Forecasting/Budgeting.
These sessions were exclusive to programme participants.
Peer Learning
The group sessions provided a space to openly discuss and share key business challenges in a supportive environment. Many participants gained valuable insights and potential solutions from their peers—ideas they may not have otherwise considered.
Peer Learning helped foster a self-support network throughout their business journey.
Networking Events
Through networking events, participants met not only their fellow cohort members but also engaged with the wider business community in Harrow.
These events enabled them to build valuable connections, explore new opportunities, and exchange knowledge—laying a foundation for long-term success.
What is the Harrow Business Skills Accelerator Programme?
(2019 – 2020)
The Harrow Business Skills Accelerator was a six-week support programme delivered by London Business Partnership and funded by Harrow Council.
Designed to upskill both new and trading businesses in Harrow, the programme equipped local entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to build more sustainable enterprises.
Running in intervals from October 2020 – December 2020, the programme focused on real-world business needs—supporting participants to strengthen internal operations, develop digital skills, and plan for long-term growth.
Delivered Cohorts
- October 2019
February 2020
Why It Matters
This programme directly supported the development of local talent and resilient enterprises ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was later superseded by the Harrow COVID-19 Business Support Programme, which built on its foundations to provide emergency and recovery support during the crisis.
What was Included?
½-Day Business Analysis & Strategy Session
Participants received a dedicated one-to-one session with a business adviser to assess their current business position, identify key challenges, and develop a tailored strategy for growth. This initial session laid the foundation for the rest of the programme and ensured support was relevant to each business.
Business & Digital Skills Workshops
A series of interactive workshops covered essential business fundamentals—such as financial planning, HR, stock control, logistics, and legal compliance. Digital sessions introduced tools and platforms to improve online presence, streamline operations, and reach new audiences.
Peer-to-Peer Coaching
Participants had the chance to share experiences, ideas, and advice with other local business owners in a facilitated group setting. These sessions helped build confidence, accountability, and a sense of community while encouraging collaborative problem-solving.
What is the SEYE Programme?
- Ourense, Spain (2016)
In February 2016, London Business Partnership successfully delivered the Social Entrepreneurship Exchange Programme in Ourense, Northern Spain, in collaboration with a local partner and funded by the EU Erasmus+ Programme.
The initiative brought together emerging social entrepreneurs from the UK and Spain, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn, share ideas, and explore how social enterprises can drive meaningful change in their communities. This programme was one of a series of employment creation initiatives being run by Ourense city officials to try and reverse youth migration.
From 11th to 18th February 2016, the selected UK participants travelled to Ourense for a five-day immersive exchange.
Participants engaged in group discussions, workshops, site visits, and peer-led activities focused on social business models, community impact, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The programme supported:
- Young people (primarily aged 20–29) with early-stage social business ideas.
- Individuals curious about social entrepreneurship.
- Events, workshops, and resources tailored to business needs – Attend expert-led workshops designed to address real-world business challenges.
Programme Outcomes
- UK and Spanish participants co-developed solutions to shared social challenges
- Participants gained valuable insight into international approaches to social business
- Many left the programme with renewed confidence, direction, and international contacts
- The exchange laid the groundwork for future collaboration and long-term learning
What is the Mentoring/Coaching Hackney Programme?
(July 2018 - July 2019)
Funded by the HBV Legacy Fund and managed by Business for London, this initiative supported local residents and entrepreneurs in Hackney by improving employment prospects and helping them reach long-term business goals.
Participants were matched with experienced business mentors or coaches to receive tailored, one-to-one guidance focused on performance, growth, and personal development.
Why It Matters
Hackney remains a borough of contrasts — an area of creative growth and opportunity, but also deep-rooted social challenges.
This programme helped bridge that gap by connecting local talent with expert guidance, tools, and networks to thrive — whether in business or the workplace.
What the Programme Offers
4+ hours of free coaching or mentoring
Participants received a minimum of four hours of tailored one-to-one support from trained coaches or mentors, helping them clarify goals, build confidence, and move forward—whether into work, self-employment, or business growth.
Personalised matching with experienced local mentors and coaches
Each participant was carefully matched with a coach or mentor whose skills aligned with their needs, ensuring relevant, practical guidance and a strong support relationship from the start.
Enterprise & personal development workshops
Workshops covered essential topics like marketing strategy, leadership, financial planning, and personal growth—designed to equip individuals with the tools and mindset to succeed in work or business.
Quarterly networking events
Regular events brought together mentees, mentors, and local business professionals to share experiences, spark collaborations, and strengthen their professional networks.
Ongoing support through the Mentoring/Coaching Hackney Community Club
The programme launched a community club to keep the support going—providing a space for local people and businesses to connect, share knowledge, and continue growing together.
Business owners and private individuals engaged
Personal coaches and business mentors recruited
Businesses under 5 years old mentored
What is the The “Two Window Shop” (Mentoring Harrow) Project?
(2018)
What is the Mentoring Harrow Programme?
(2015 - 2017)
Mentoring Harrow connects experienced business owners with local entrepreneurs who need guidance to start, grow, and sustain their ventures. Funded by Harrow Council and delivered by London Business Partnership, the programme has supported over 140 entrepreneurs and continues to drive local economic growth.
What the Programme Offers
Free 1-hour business advice sessions for 80 new entrepreneurs
Get a focused, one-to-one session with a business adviser to explore your goals, challenges, and next steps — tailored specifically to early-stage entrepreneurs.
6 hours of dedicated mentoring for 20 selected entrepreneurs
Selected participants receive in-depth support from an experienced business mentor, helping you tackle challenges, stay accountable, and grow with confidence.
Access to a growing network of experienced mentors
Join a supportive community of seasoned business professionals who are ready to share insights, experience, and guidance to help you succeed.
Events, workshops, and resources tailored to business needs
Attend expert-led workshops and networking events designed to address real-world business challenges — from marketing and finance to leadership and growth.
How the Programme Helped
This initiative supports Harrow Council’s wider goals —promoting self-employment, creating jobs, and strengthening the local economy. It has also cultivated a thriving, collaborative business community across the borough.
Mentors recruited and trained
Entrepreneurs matched with mentors
Businesses mentored
and help new businesses succeed. Peer support makes all
the difference.”
What is the Resilient Web Programme?
(2012 - 2015)
- Build stronger ecosystems by identifying and leveraging their positive and negative externalities
- Design sustainable business models using tools like the Resilience Design Cards and Business Model Canvas
- Foster innovation through biomimicry and systems thinking
- Strengthen collaboration between suppliers, clients, and community partners
- Future-proof their operations by planning for shifting market, environmental, and regulatory conditions
Previous Projects
What is the Harrow Work Hub?
(Closed in April 2025)
The right workspace can inspire and motivate you, improving your productivity and confidence. If you work from home or run a small business, it can be difficult to find a location that gets you in the right mindset.
View our open programmes
