ABOUT SUPPORT HUB
Welcome to Black Business Network’s support hub, powered by Lloyds Bank. We have created a directory of business resources and organisations that support Black and diverse entrepreneurs for the lifecycle of their businesses. The information has been curated by members of the Lloyds Bank Black Business Advisory Committee, providing a central hub to help navigate to useful information: from funding to mentoring.
We recognise this isn’t an exhaustive list, so should you have any recommendations or information on organisations you think should be included, please contact us.
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP PARTNERS TO SUPPORT BLACK ENTREPRENEURS
BLACK BUSINESS NETWORK
A corporate event and media company, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge in the black community. Hosting annual conferences, expos, workshops, and networking events; while bringing you the latest news and engagement on social media. Showcasing talent, professionalism and business
MENTORING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - SUPPORTED BY LLOYDS BANK
LLOYDS BANK ACADEMY
BE THE BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE MENTORING SCHEME
SCHOOL FOR ENTREPRENEURS
SSE help 1,000s' people a year develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. In turn, they help 3.4 million people in need. We run courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. But we’re not a traditional school. Learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible.
We support people in other ways too, such as funding and mentoring.
SUPPORT NETWORKS LED BY BLACK COMMUNITY GROUPS
BLACK BUSINESS NETWORK
BBN brings Black entrepreneurs together through networking events and an engaging online community. Aiding business owners in building strong professional and community relationships in unique, safe spaces for fun, supportive & inclusive debate; and knowledge exchange.
THE BLACK POUNDS PROJECT
BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK
BLACK VALLEY
Community: We are a diverse and supportive community that champions black talent in technology
Mentoring: Black Valley runs a bespoke 8-week immersive mentoring tech programme
Project Exposure: Mentees will get practical project exposure to enhance their portfolio and CV
CODING BLACK FEMALES
We are a nonprofit organisation, and our primary aim is to provide opportunities for Black female developers to develop themselves, meet familiar faces, network, receive support and build relationships through having regular meetups.
COLORINTECH
Colorintech was started in 2016 to spark action, create community and help increase diversity in Europe’s tech economy.
LOVE CIRCULAR
MSDUK
MSDUK brings together innovative and high growth ethnic minority businesses with global corporations committed to creating an inclusive and diverse supply chain
UK BLACK TECH
UKBlackTech is an innovation group that is on a mission to make the UK the most ethnically diverse tech ecosystem in the world. To make this happen we need to see equity, transparency and representation at decision making level in tech.
ANGEL GROUPS & FUNDS
ADA VENTURES
Bold Investment for overlooked founders and markets. Bold ideas are the ones that change the world. They're ideas that find something completely new, flip categories upside-down, or see the world from an entirely different perspective.
Our focus is to discover and build the possibility of these bold ideas, and provide investment to support the incredible founders behind them.
Whoever and wherever they are.
COMMUNITY GROWTH VENTURES
Community Growth Ventures (CGV) is a London based angel investor group on a mission to invest and support underrepresented founders.
We are focused on investing in pre-seed and seed stage startups led by underrepresented founders in the UK. We leverage our operational experience and networks to help founders go from initial traction to a growing business.
CORNERSTONE PARTNERS
Cornerstone is an angel investment network focused on investing in businesses owned and run by black and diverse founders.
With this focus we aim to increase diversity in business and remove barriers to funding for individuals from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the UK business market today
IMPACT X CAPITAL
Impact X is a double bottom line venture capital company, founded to support underrepresented entrepreneurs across Europe.
Having identified an underserved and undersaturated niche of founders with compelling business models, Impact X sources uniquely differentiated deal flow to generate returns for investors.
DEBT FUNDERS SUPPORTING BLACK FOUNDERS
CREATIVE ENGLAND
FUNDING FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, NON-PROFITS & SOCIAL IMPACT BUSINESSES
BETHNAL GREEN VENTURES
Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC.
We invest in ambitious founders using technology to tackle big social and environmental problems that aim to radically improve millions of lives
CHORUS NETWORK
CHORUS NETWORK MATCHES INVESTORS WITH IMPACT STARTUPS.
Chorus looks for exceptional startups that have developed a financially attractive business plan with an equal commitment to addressing social or environmental issues
CONDUIT CONNECT
The Conduit Connect exists to support and enable the impact investing ecosystem. We review hundreds of impact deals per year to select the most sustainable and investable opportunities with environmental and social impact at their core. Eligible companies and funds are offered a dedicated team that introduces them to values-aligned investors and mentors, a private digital platform that publishes these investment opportunities for Professional Investors and showcase events that are aimed to raise the profile and visibility of these businesses
DO IT NOW NOW
Do it Now Now is a nonprofit, open innovation organisation driven by the desire to bring social empowerment to Black communities across the globe.
GREEN ANGEL SYNDICATE
Green Angel Syndicate is the only angel investment syndicate in the UK specialising in the fight against Climate Change and Global Warming
KWANDA
A modern collection pot for Black communities. Kwanda borrows from community models core to many African countries – think of it as a modern-day village. By granting a monthly pledge (the minimum is £1), which is used to fund projects, you gain access to the village and are granted voting rights and an equal voice amongst fellow villagers.
THE COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION
We create communities in cities where people thrive. We create opportunities for people to tackle the toughest challenges that cities face together. Our programmes help citizens and local organisations create positive social impact for their communities, by providing leading resources, personal mentorship, a network of supporters and a community to call home.
SUPPORT GETTING YOUR BUSINESS 'INVESTMENT READY'
HATCH ENTERPRISE
STARTUP DISCOVERY SCHOOL
Startup Discovery School helps tech and tech enabled founders to get results.
We are an online programme delivered by founders, mentors and investors aimed at enabling first-time founders from all backgrounds to scale their businesses
YSYS
MARKET PLACES
JAMII
Jamii is the home for Black creators and makers. A discovery platform for British brands on the up.
A discount card when you join our community. Cause it feels good backing people – as good as 40% off. Jamii is a marketplace and platform championing Black-owned British businesses, thereby supporting the economic empowerment of the Black British community.
We are on a mission to make shopping at Black British brands as easy and convenient as any other mainstream alternative, and available to all.
WAKUDA
Wakuda is an online marketplace for shoppers of all backgrounds to discover and purchase from over 300 amazing UK black owned businesses and creative talents.
As a platform that is transforming access to black-owned businesses, we provide anyone and everyone the opportunity to access amazing black owned brands.
Even more than that, we are working towards a sustainable eco-system where supporting independent black owned businesses isn’t a reactive act that’s done in surges but one that forms a part of our lifestyles and is just as natural as purchasing from any other mainstream brand.
BLACK POUND DAY
Black Pound Day is a monthly campaign that encourages consumers to switch up their usual shopping destinations to local and online Black-owned businesses every first Saturday of the month.
The aim? To meaningfully alter the UK's shopping habits to become more inclusive and, in turn, grow the Black economy and Black communities.
AWARDS SHOWS & EVENTS
BLACK BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS
BLACK GIRL FEST
BLACK INVESTOR 360
Black Investor 360 is the UKʼs first ever business investment show catering to black businesses. Creating a unique space in finance for investors, experienced finance professionals and the community to come together to exchange knowledge and network.
Black Investor 360 brings together all types of people from the field of business, banking and finance - a 360 degree experience of all there is to know about finance!
BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS
Black Women in Business Awards was launched to recognise and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of exceptional Black Women in the UK.
There are many Black Women in positions of authority and influence within public and private sectors in the UK, many of whom have succeeded amidst various challenges.