As we step into an exciting new year at the Business & IP Centre, we’re excited to continue supporting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds in starting, protecting and growing their businesses nationwide. But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to take a look back on our highlights of 2024.

A year of inspiring events

We were thrilled to hold four Inspiring Entrepreneurs events throughout the year, with over 450 attendees joining us in person for panel discussions on topics including the influence of Black voices in the British music scene, the significant contributions of women in the health and fitness industries, the rise of influencers transforming their online presence into income and a fireside chat with TV Dragon Sara Davies MBE. We are excited for another year of events and to welcome even more people through our doors, you can keep an eye on our schedule here.

The London Network expands

In the summer we launched a new BIPC in Enfield's Edmonton Green Library, with guests including our Chief Librarian Liz Jolly plus new BIPC Enfield business ambassador and founder of Own The Beach, Lisa Johnson. This is part of our BIPC local offering that brings our business support services to the heart of six London boroughs, also including Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth.

It was another year of achievements for these BIPC Locals. To name just a few, a huge congratulations to Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth on their annual GLL Start-up Business Week which involved a series of panel talks with the likes of Harry Redknapp, to Lewisham on their second anniversary and involvement at The Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards, and to Waltham Forest for their annual Winter Market that showcased products from small businesses to the local community.

Activity across the National Network

2024 was a very busy year across our National Network of BIPCs. Regional centres across the country offered packed schedules of support programmes, expert advice, photography and videography opportunities, workshops, masterclasses, and so much more. There were many successes across for each and every one of our National Network centres, but to just name a few we want to congratulate BIPC Sussex on proudly launching their new BIPC Local in Worthing, BIPC Glasgow on the appointment of the Network's first expert in residence on menopause, Dana Drzikova, and BIPC Oxfordshire on hosting the UK's largest Start-up Huddle monthly event, which regularly attracts over 100 attendees.

A special mention must go to BIPC Liverpool, which was forced to relocate out of the Spellow Library following the riots in August. However, they were able to continue services by taking to the high street and offering direct in-person support to businesses. Fortunately, they have now been able to resume services in the renovated Spellow Library, even more integrated into the local business community than before. 

Our free BIPC services could be available on your doorstep. Find your nearest centre here.

Celebrating women entrepreneurs

We proudly hosted an awards ceremony during National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) to celebrate the inspiring finalists of the Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme. Founded by BIPC Ambassador Alison Cork MBE, NWEW supports women entrepreneurs through addressing challenges and promoting equity.

Our start-up support continues

Over the year, we hosted more than 70 Kickstart Your Business workshops in both the British Library and our BIPC Locals across London. Supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co, we look forward to continuing to provide grass roots business support and expert start-up advice to aspiring entrepreneurs through libraries throughout the capital.

"The workshops were extremely inspiring and they've helped me focus on the next steps towards my business idea becoming a reality" - Kickstart Your Business programme participant

You can register for the free workshops now.

Championing business growth

Credit: Luca Sage

Our Get Ready for Business Growth scale-up programme, funded by Arts Council England, wrapped up in September, having supported an incredible 203 creative businesses across the last two years of delivery. The programme offers a free, three-month long online course of tailored consultancy to scale-ups and will be relaunching this Spring for businesses in all sectors, so contact [email protected] if you’d like to find out more!

"I feel as if I have been picked up, shaken out and stood on my feet again ready to face [the year ahead] knowing where I'm headed and how to get there." – Sarah McCartney, Founder of 4160Tuesdays, Get Ready for Business Growth alumni 

Start-up Day returns in person

Credit: Abi Oshodi

We ended the year on a high when we welcomed hundreds of aspiring and current entrepreneurs to the British Library to celebrate Start-up Day 2024, in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. With a packed schedule of talks from industry leaders such as Charlie Bigham and Martha Keith, speed mentoring from experts, and plenty of networking, attendees left inspired and energised to take the next step on their business journey. We even had a special recorded address from Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which celebrated the power of libraries as hubs for fostering entrepreneurial spirit and success.

Credit: A Smile A Day Photography

Start-up Day wasn't just celebrated in London, but across our BIPC national network. From Newcastle to Worthing, 17 of our regional centres put on livestreams, in-person events, panels, mentoring, photography and so much more. It was brilliant to see our BIPC community coming together and a real testament to the breadth and depth of BIPC services across the country.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make 2024 such an inspiring and eventful year. Here's to 2025!