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 BIG,
 BUSINESS  INNOVATION  GROWTH  PROGRAMME 

A fully funded programme of support for South London-based start-ups, SMEs and community ventures which are innovating in the areas of health and life sciences, net zero and nature, experience and visitor economy or creative and digital industries.

Access world-leading academic expertise to undertake a project that will take your business forward, from developing a new product or service to implementing a new technology, this programme is here to take you to the next level of growth.

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About the programme

Are you a South London business ready to grow, innovate, and lead? Backed by the UK government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and led by London South Bank University (LSBU), the BIG, Business Innovation Growth Programme, is here to help you unlock your full potential. This dynamic initiative is split into four tailored clusters, each focused on high-growth sectors:

Each cluster offers access to cutting-edge facilities, expert-led support, and practical tools to accelerate your growth. Whether you’re a start-up, SME, or Community Interest Company, you can tap into world-class academic expertise from one of the five partner universities: LSBU, Kingston, St Mary’s, Roehampton, and University of the Arts London.

You will receive between 30 and 40 hours of support, which you can use to undertake a range of projects from product or service development and evaluation or research into sustainability, to new tech adoption, and bold business innovations – we’re here to help you make it happen.

This programme welcomes start-ups, SME’s and community-interest companies in the following London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, and Wandsworth.

You can find out more about each cluster below.

Looking for a workshop? Click and book today:

From numbers to results: making data work for your business (Thursday 18 Sept)

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HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES

Support for businesses from all areas of health and life sciences, including but not limited to digital health, social care, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, mental health and medical devices.

ATTEND A WORKSHOP

From numbers to results: making data work for your business
Embedding metrics and measurements for sustainable growth
Thursday 18 September, 9.00am to 3.00pm | The Hub, London South Bank University, Southwark SE1

In today's competitive market, gut instinct isn't enough. This insightful workshop will give you and your team the confidence to make data-driven decisions that actually move the needle. Whether you're looking to boost customer satisfaction, secure funding or reduce costs it's time to stop guessing and start growing.

This hands-on workshop transforms data from a headache into your competitive advantage. You'll learn how to truly understand your customers, track what's actually driving results, and identify the opportunities to fuel your next phase of growth.

We'll cut through the technical jargon and give you practical, immediately usable tools to start collecting and using data that directly impacts your bottom line. You'll leave with clear strategies tailored to your own challenges.

Limited spaces available - register now to transform how you understand, measure, and grow your business.

BONUS! If you attend the workshop above, you will automatically be invited to a 2nd workshop: 'From insights to action'.
In this follow-up session (date tbc), we'll help you build a comprehensive measurement framework around your business goals. You'll map out exactly where to gather customer feedback, track performance, and measure real impact across your operations. Walk away with a concrete action plan that shows you what's working, what isn't, and where your biggest opportunities lie. No more guesswork—just clear, actionable intelligence that drives results.

NET ZERO & NATURE

Develop your product or service and boost biodiversity, botanical, sustainable, low-carbon and other net-zero and nature industries.

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EXPERIENCE & VISITOR ECONOMY

Take advantage of dedicated expertise to develop or evaluate an existing or new product or service in the sport, cultural, retail, hospitality, activity, experience, and accommodation sectors.

CREATIVE & DIGITAL

Get access to support for your South London-based film, art, design, theatre, production or content start-up, SME or community-interest company.

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Funding information

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s improvement agenda and provides funding for local investment. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

Want to chat?

No problem, our friendly project management team is ready to answer your queries and questions.