Firm Futures
Firm Futures supports aspiring entrepreneurs in Islington through workshops, mentorship and grants to launch their businesses.
Business Start-Up – Firm Futures
Firm Futures/ Business Start-Up is an initiative that helps people in Islington and the surrounding area, who are not in permanent, full-time employment, set up their own businesses.
Through a series of monthly workshops, Firm Futures builds the confidence and skills needed to set up a business and provides a free package of support including a grant, mentoring and subsidised workspace.
Firm Futures is delivered through a unique partnership between three Islington organisations that are working together to support local people in becoming self-employed: law firm Slaughter and May, St Luke’s Community Centre and enterprise experts B Consultancy. In 2023, Firm Futures celebrated a decade of empowering Islington entrepreneurs. Our partners, Slaughter and May, put together this video showing the achievements of this special scheme and how it has inspired many Londoners to set-up small businesses.
Registration for Firm Futures is now closed for 2024.
There are two stages:
Level 1 comprises monthly workshops open to an unlimited number of participants, including those who may not know if self-employment is for them. The aim is to develop confidence, business skills and self-employment know-how.
You must attend 75% (6 workshops) or more of the Level 1 workshops to be eligible to apply for Level 2 of the initiative.
Firm Futures Timeline. Level 1 – 2024 Cohort
Date & time (10am-12:30noon) | Workshop topic(s) | Location |
27th March 2024 | Introduction to self-employment and business etiquette | St Luke’s |
24th April 2024 | Market research & marketing | St Luke’s |
8th May 2024 | Business Structure & initial steps for business start-up | St Luke’s |
22nd May 2024 | Marketing part two – creating a digital presence | St Luke’s |
19th June 2024 | Financial considerations for a business start-upPricing, cash flow, and start-up costs | St Luke’s |
14th August 2024 | Legal considerations: the basics | Slaughter and May |
11th September | Funding and finance (plus drop-in) | St Luke’s |
9th October 2024 | Pitching and your personal brand | Slaughter and May |
Level 1 Assessment – everyone is invited to submit an application for Level 2 by 31st October 2024 | N/A | |
23rd October 2024 | Drop-in session for filling in applications for Level 2 | St Luke’s |
W/C 4th November | Application judging | N/A |
W/C 25th November | Confirm L2 participants and mentors | N/A |
Level 2 provides subsidised workspace at St Luke’s, mentors and more in-depth workshops to guide the participants through the process of creating a detailed business plan and launching their business. Ten individuals receive a grant of up to £2,000 to cover start-up costs.
There would be an assessment at the end of Level 1. Your commitment and active participation in Level 1 of the project cycle can then take you onto level 2 of the initiative. You must attend 75% (6 workshops) or more of the Level 1 workshops to be eligible to apply for Level 2 of the initiative.
The project was first launched in 2013 and has seen single parents, young entrepreneurs and those not able to find full-time employment secure a place. Of the 63 businesses that received support, 67% are still trading or are close to trading.
The businesses that have taken off as a result of support from Firm Futures include a branding business, a bakery, baby massage, yoga teaching, personalised embroidered gifts, mobile beauty business, a freelance photographer and a florist stall.
To Apply: Applicants must live in Islington, or in one of the following postcodes: EC2, EC3, EC4, E1W, E1, E2, N4, N5, N6, N7, N16, N19, NW1, WC1, and WC2.
For more information about registering your interest for the next cohort, please email [email protected] or contact us on 020 7549 8181.
How It Works
Contact Us
Email [email protected] to register your interest in the programme.
Next steps
The Business Engagement Team will contact you in the New Year with a registration form to complete.
Workshop information
Workshops will commence in March 2024. Further details will be sent to you.
Membership Area -
Are You Eligible?Membership gives you access to a wide variety of events, classes, workshops and support services aimed at making life more enjoyable and easier for our local community, providing services they might not otherwise have access to.
We’d love you to join us!
Member Events
Please contact us on 020 7549 8181 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
for more information on the services & activities available at St Luke’s Community Centre, Central Street, South Islington, London.
How to Find Us in Islington London
Public Transport
Train Station
Barbican 10 mins walk (0.5 miles)
Angel 14 mins walk (0.7 miles)
Bus Routes
43, 205, 214, 394, N205
Old Street
55, 243, N55