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 open for 2026 (workshops will start on 25th March).

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.

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.

Firm Futures timetable for Level One 2026 cohort:

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.