Local Foodie Entrepreneur Shortlisted for European Award

Expecting a quiet holiday period for your Business? Then it's time to act!

25 July 2011: The summer holiday season has arrived, and some businesses will "go flat." If that sounds like yours, here's 2 things you can do to change things.

Firstly, join the hundreds of local businesses that have already signed up to Hackney Enterprise Network and let 2011 become the year to make something new and positive happen!

The Network gives you access to a range of support that you simply can't get anywhere else. Over 50 members have already reported growth, and others are building their confidence and winning new business contracts too.

Secondly, take a look at new opportunities for businesses in our useful links section.

3 June 2011: Two recent government - linked reports underline the challenges many entrepreneurs face when attempting to adequately fund their businesses.

The Daily Telegraph has picked up on a government survey citing more than half of the country's entrepreneurs faced 'difficulties' accessing finance from banks, and that small businesses found it much harder to borrow money from their bank in 2010 than before. More here.

While there has been much less interest in a second report 'Access to Finance for Creative Industry Businesses' we spotted it here at HBV because almost a third of Hackney Enterprise Network's members are Creatives, and the report calls on the Government to consider what more could be done to encourage better access to finance for them. The sector clearly has a problem!  

Fortunately, there's help available at HBV. Businesses that are finding it hard to raise finance, don't know how to go about it, or need to brush up on their skills first, can approach our Finance Service for support. More here.

6 May 2011: Micro, small and medium-sized Creative & Digital companies now have the opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to £100,000 for their projects through a competition designed to support the booming East London tech community based around Shoreditch and the Silicon Roundabout in Hackney, dubbed 'Tech City' by the Prime Minister last year. The Technology Strategy Board will also help winning firms to find the match funding they need to deliver their ideas. Apply here. For info on other ideas and opportunities for developing and financing your business growth, check out our useful links.

Serviced Offices at Dalston Junction station from just £300 per month!

4 May 2011: HBV Enterprise Centre and Dalston are the new well connected places to be since London Overground came to town. We have professional, modern and affordable office units available for rent on flexible terms. One Hackney provider of office space currently charges £300+ per month just for a desk - at HBV you can get a whole office for that! Our prices includes rent, rates, power and water - nothing else to pay, so its great for controlling costs. That's all-important for many start up and small businesses. More here, or call in and see us!

TV "encourages people to start up in business"

26 April 2011: Rising coverage of entrepreneurs in the media is helping to persuade more people to consider a career as their own boss, recent research by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) shows. Take a look at our updated links to some of the most eye-catching programmes here. Also, find out how we can help you become your own boss here.

UK Government invites pitches from the country's small businesses

23 March 2011:Through the Innovation Launch Pad the Cabinet Office is now inviting small firms to pitch their business proposals for products and services they can provide to drive better value for money for Government. Ideas can be submitted between Monday 28th March and Friday 22nd April, and comments on the scheme can be made until 6 May.

3 March 2011: Citizens Advice has called on OFT to investigate text messages and phone calls from a firm offering to find unsecured loans. Those who accept are then charged large up-front fees for little or no service in return. More here.

If you're a London business seeking finance, it costs nothing to talk to us here at HBV, and we're a centre of excellence for business finance. Just complete and send our finance fact find to us.

When it comes to borrowing money, we recommend you shop around very carefully. Don''t ask only about the interest rate - ask about fees, and about the APR (annualised percentage rate.) This will help you to compare the real cost of borrowing money from different loan providers. More on business finance here.

7 October 2010: Over 100 local firms created a major buzz at Hackney's Assembly Rooms last week to meet buyers from large organisations at a specially developed event organised by Hackney Enterprise Network in partnership with The Council's procurement team. One very satisfied local businesswoman told us: "The event was vibrant, informative and well structured. many new contacts were established, causing my business prospects to soar." To tap into new markets for your business, join Hackney Enterprise Network now!

30 April 2010: Want to hear what some of our clients say about HBV and doing business in Hackney? Watch our short video here.

27 March 2010: BBC's Dragons' Den has again asked HBV Enterprise to encourage investment-ready entrepreneurs to apply for a place in their new series. Their top tips for success in winning finance are:-

• The Unique Selling Point: A product that serves a need like nothing else.
• Scalability: Something that can be upscaled to make real money.
• Route to Market: The clear way the product can be sold and marketed.
• Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: What will the Investor get out of it?
• Exit Strategy: A plan of how the Investor will exit and make money.

Want to know more? Click here for more on Dragons' Den. Need help to become "Investment-Ready?" Click here for more help from HBV.

9 February 2010: The official launch of Hackney Enterprise Network, kindly sponsored by The City of London, takes place on Wednesday 17th February. It promises to be a great networking event, and will also highlight City of London and other Supply Chain Opportunities. The event is now full.

• Read more about Hackney Enterprise Network here
• For an invitation to the launch event, email hen@hbv.org.uk
• To join now, download a membership form here and fees table here
• To find out more, register your interest online here, and we'll contact you

17 September 2009: Hot on the heels of being named as an "Exemplar Enterprise Agency" by Customer First this July, we continued our winning streak by scooping " Barclay’s Let’s Talk Contractor of the Year" at last night's National Enterprise Awards in York. Read more here.

©HBV 2012 Page updated January 2012