Nearly 100 businesses mentored or supported as delivery of new economic development plan begins
Nearly 100 startups, charities and social enterprises have been supported with mentoring, networking and workshops to scale-up and access new opportunities as part of the latest round of Hackney Impact, the Council’s business support programme, which concludes this month.
The programme, delivered by partners Allia, East End Trades Guild, Hackney Cooperative Developments, Green Business Action and Social Founders has run events, workshops and one-to-one support on AI, defining customers, project management, financial modelling, the circular economy and preparing businesses to bid for large contracts.
It forms a key part of the Council’s Economic Development Plan [summary/full version], which aims to ensure that economic growth is green, fair and provides opportunities for local people.
More than 60% of the businesses supported so far are from non-white backgrounds following a commitment made by the Council to offer support to groups who were underrepresented in the first round of funding. 9 in 10 of those taking part in the scheme would recommend it to others.
Hackney Impact is funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and commissioned by Hackney Council.
Cllr Sam Pallis, Deputy Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, said: “We’re really proud to have supported more than 330 businesses through Hackney Impact over the last two years.
“This support is crucial in helping new small local businesses establish and grow and is a key part of our economic development plan, ensuring that economic growth is fair and that opportunities are shared among all of our residents.”
Agathe Cury, founder of Madam Makery, said: "Hackney Impact gave me access to an amazing Hackney based business community. But also a lot of very tangible, practical tips."
Jamila Daley-Jeffers, a fundraising consultant and public speaker, said: " Before Hackney Impact, I had a business but I was also playing at business. A friend of mine suggested the Hackney Impact Start Your Own Business course which was great not only for the content, but also for the group of people that I got to work with and learn from and share information with."
The Council’s economic development plan was adopted in December 2025 and outlines how the Council will help ensure the benefits of economic growth are shared by everyone in the borough. The work is set out under four key priorities:
- Residents are able to participate in the economy and society
- Hackney’s economy is climate resilient and sustainable
- Hackney’s economy is fairer and more inclusive
- Growth and investment benefit more of Hackney’s places and communities
Action in the plan includes:
- Linking local people with the right education, training and support to access employment opportunities in growing sectors such as creative, tech and services
- Providing support for businesses to grow and helping them access procurement opportunities
- Reducing the local economy’s impact on the climate
- Ensuring residents can access opportunities that arise as a result of new homes and and developments in our local area
Get involved
Read the Economic Development Plan [summary/full version].
Join 5,000 other businesses in the Hackney Business Network and get the latest news and information on business support: hackneybusinessnetwork.co.uk
Get in touch with our economic development team if you think you can help deliver the missions in this plan: business@hackney.gov.uk