Join a thriving business community at your local library with Start Up Greenwich , a support service for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses alike. Delivered in partnership with the British Library Business & IP Centre and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Start Up Greenwich provides expert advice, tailored support and valuable opportunities to help your business grow.
As a member of Start Up Greenwich, you will have access to expert-led workshops, webinars, business clinics, networking events, and one-to-one business support sessions designed to help you launch, develop, and strengthen your business. You will also become part of a vibrant local business community where you can share ideas, exchange experiences, and gain inspiration.
Start Up Greenwich also offers dedicated business lounges at Woolwich Centre Library, providing members with flexible spaces for meetings, co-working, and hosting workshops and events. To access this wide range of support, please register as a Start Up Greenwich member by clicking here.
Start Up Greenwich also offers dedicated business lounges at Woolwich Centre Library, providing members with flexible spaces for meetings, co-working, and hosting workshops and events. To access this wide range of support, please register as a Start Up Greenwich member by clicking here.
Resources available
Here are some of the resources you can access when you join our business community as a Start Up Greenwich member.
British library webinars and workshops
Offering a variety of short and full-day workshops, both online and in person, giving you practical support at the earliest stage of your business development: Browse the full list of workshops on the British Library BIPC Events calendar
In addition, as Start Up Wandsworth is a member of the British Library BIPC London Network, quarterly 2 day kickstart your business workshops takes place in Putney Library. Click here to sign up to upcoming workshops.
COBRA business resources
COBRA, or the Complete Business Reference Advisor, is a business database which can help you research and strengthen your entrepreneurial ideas. It contains more than 4,000 factsheets, market reports, contacts, and sources of funding, in addition to hundreds of practical guides to starting up more than 350 types of business.
If you're a Start Up Greenwich and Greenwich Libraries member, you can access this for free.
1-2-1 Support
Please replace text with. 1-2-1 support sessions, available to Start Up Greenwich members, operate throughout the year allowing entrepreneurs to discuss particular challenges they are experiencing, ideas, and business model plans with our dedicated advisors. For more information on the sessions, including to book a session click find out more.
Room hire
As a Start Up Greenwich member, you can book the Business Lounge without charge to conduct business activities i.e. meetings, workshops, seminars, product/service launches etc. Payment for the space is only required if there is an associated fee for attendees. This can be paid at the library where the space is but will be discussed upon booking.
Regular meetings for members
Held for our Start up Greenwich members on the last Wednesday of the month, Coffee Mornings are a space to network, problem-solve, and share your business problems and successes with likeminded new and aspiring entrepreneurs. All over tea, coffee, and biscuits! There is no obligation to share anything; it is simply a safe space for Start Up Greenwich members.
Collaborate with us
We are always looking to expand our pool of facilitators and create new, strong partnerships with industry experts and local organisation who are interested in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in their journey.
If that sounds like you, please email us on startupgreenwich@gll.org
What to expect from workshops
Start Up Greenwich aim to host a variety of free workshops each quarter, ranging from sessions on marketing, finances, branding, sustainability, funding, and much more. Each workshop will be facilitated by an expert in the industry, so that our members can receive the most effective and accurate support. Workshops are in person, online, or hybrid with the goal of reaching as many members as possible, so that we can form a thriving, local business community. While we try to add and adapt the workshops we offer, we are always up for more suggestions and engaging with new facilitators.
To see our upcoming events and workshops, click here.
One-year Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) memberships
In partnership with Royal Borough of Greenwich, Start Up Greenwich have allocated funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide Greenwich businesses with 1-year memberships to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the leading business representative organisation for small businesses.
The opportunity is available until 31st March 2025.
What are the benefits to me?
FSB membership enables small firms to take away a lot of the stress from doing business. It offers products, services, advice and information, as well as resources and tools to help grow your business and save money.
This includes:
- Business insurance
- 24/7 legal, tax and employment advice line
- Access to financial advice
- Access to legal support
- Cyber security advice
- Health and safety support
- HR advice
- Healthcare plans
- PR and crisis management
- Tax investigation protection
- Debt recovery service
- Support with increasing sales/winning new contracts
- Exclusive member discounts for additional support too.
Am I eligible?
Memberships are available to businesses that are:
- based, registered, or operating in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
- have between 1-4 employees
- are a registered Start Up Greenwich member
What is the cost?
Eligible businesses will be required to contribute a nominal fee of £50. The remaining cost of the membership will be covered through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This is a saving of up to £195 on the standard membership fee for businesses with up to 4 employees.
This is a saving of up to £195 on the standard membership fee for businesses with up to 4 employees.
If you would like to express your interest please click here:
FSB Membership Interest Expression Form | Cognito Forms
Start up Greenwich membership
When you become a Start Up Greenwich member, you will have the opportunity to meet and build networks of support amongst other entrepreneurs which you can leverage to support the growth of your business. In addition, you will be able to learn from successful local start-ups, established businesses and other professionals associated with the start-up ecosystem which can help you reach your business goals.
Start up Greenwich members will also have access to opportunities to help promote their business through their association with the service and the wider networks that we can tap into.
Start up Greenwich members will also have access to opportunities to help promote their business through their association with the service and the wider networks that we can tap into.
Neurodivergent spaces
Neurodivergent spaces
