Business Support
In September 2020 LEAP launched The London Business Hub which provides a range of free support and funding opportunities to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of all sectors.
It includes an online portal (www.businesshub.london) to help London’s businesses to start, sustain and grow, and a programme to equip around 240 businesses in the capital with the leadership skills necessary to safeguard against future economic shocks. SMEs will get advice on business rates and landlord negotiations, and also how to navigate government support schemes and recover reduced revenue streams.
LEAP plays a key role in coordinating, marketing and making the case for business support interventions to help ensure London’s entrepreneurs and small business owners have access to the support they need to start, sustain and succeed.
There are also a range of strategic and funding initiatives led by LEAP that support London’s businesses. These include:
Overseeing £160m of investment to support businesses, encourage innovation and support and deliver regeneration through London’s European Regional Development Fund. This includes London & Partners’ Business Growth Programme, the Mayor’s International Business Programme and the British Library’s Innovating for Growth Programme.
Investing £25m in a co-investment fund to leverage equity funding into early stage growth firms as they emerge from private accelerators, incubators and support programmes.
Funding the Mayor’s Crowdfund London initiative, providing match-funding for a whole range of civic improvement projects;
Supporting businesses to access the skills they need through LEAP’s employer-led investments in London’s Further Education sector;
Funding the Mayor’s Crowdfund London initiative, providing match-funding for a whole range of civic improvement projects
Helping London’s SMEs to become ‘greener’ through our investments in the Mayor’s Small Business Energy Efficiency Fund and grant funding businesses to introduce Low Emission Neighbourhoods in their street or area.