overview
In collaboration with Enterprise4Good, UCL School of Management (UCLSoM) and Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion, UAL (FBS, LCF) have launched the Business Builder programme. Academics and entrepreneurs have created and developed this innovative 6-week programme designed to support emerging entrepreneurs or small businesses based in east London. UCLSoM and FBS, LCF recognise the innumerable opportunities that entrepreneurship offers local communities in relation to stimulating economic growth and prosperity, while simultaneously supporting their ability to compete in the future labour market.
The Business Builder programme is offered for free to all successful applicants and will be delivered from UCL’s recently opened campus in Stratford alongside fellow East Bank Partner, UAL London College of Fashion. Aimed at local entrepreneurs and small business owners, participants will benefit from expert teaching and be given real-world examples and implementable actions to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and key frameworks that will grow their business.
programme outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will:
- Develop a sound understanding of their business model through the completion of a Business Model Canvas
- Develop leadership and strategic planning skills
- Review their business model and establish areas that need further development through the creation of a Smart Goal Action Plan to discuss with their mentor
- Learn to effectively plan for the future structure of their business
- Be able to establish and develop effective networking strategies
structure
The programme will adopt the following schedule:
Session 1: Understanding the Entrepreneurial Mindset (3 hours in-person at LCF)
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 14:00-17:00 BST
In this session, participants will understand their role within the business, learn how to create a Business Model Canvas and understand the role that innovation has on the business, market and customer.
Session 2: Exploring Purpose and Values (3 hours in-person at UCL East)
Wednesday 07 May 2025, 14:00-17:00 BST
Led by UCL School of Management Director and Professor Davide Ravasi, in this session participants will explore their business purpose and values and how these key brand components offer businesses a unique selling proposition and competitive advantage.
Session 3: Using Financial Metrics (3 hours in-person at UCL East)
Wednesday 14 May 2025, 14:00-17:00 BST
In this session, participants will be able to use their business’s key financial metrics and performance indicators to make data-informed decisions. This session will be taught by Professor Simon Hulme.
Session 4: Developing a Marketing Strategy (3 hours in-person at LCF)
Wednesday 21 May 2025, 14:00-17:00 BST
In this session, participants will consider and shape their overall marketing strategy, including learning effective models, considering target audience, and conducting a competitive analysis.
Session 5: Reviewing Organisational Capacity (3 hours in-person at LCF)
Wednesday 28 May 2025, 14:00-17:00 BST
In this session, participants will learn to objectively analyse the current capabilities of their business, including identifying opportunities for future growth and development and areas for improvement.
Session 6: Reviewing and Implementation (4 hours in-person at UCL East)
Wednesday 04 June 2025, taught session from 14:00-17:00 BST + 1 hour of networking
In this session, participants will review their business model and value proposition in relation to current and future market opportunities. They will also produce a Smart Goal Action Plan in preparation for discussions with their mentor. This session will be led by Mauricio Pettinato Lucio.
how does the programme support entrepreneurs?
The Business Builder programme is designed to equip small businesses and entrepreneurs with the skills to develop and grow their business.
We recently caught up with Business Builder alumnus and Architect Fabian, who founded an architectural studio called Studio Colab three years ago. Specialising in design-led house extensions and refurbishments in London, Fabian applied for the Busines Builder programme after struggling to market his business to new audiences and create lead generation.
After initially exploring paid ads, Fabian also decided that more needed to be done to develop his lead generation strategy and applied for the programme. He tells us that, in addition to helping him grow his audience, the programme also helped him to identify clients to target, understand his customer needs, and measure conversion rate metrics to monitor their impact.
who can apply?
This programme is suitable for local east London Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), who are:
- Primarily located and registered within one of the four East London boroughs (Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest)
- Trading for at least one year
- 1-4 employees (businesses with 5 or more employees will not be eligible to apply and should consider the ‘Help to Grow’ programme).
The Business Builder programme has been designed to include start-ups, as well as micro and small SMEs.
The programme will be open to all types of businesses, particularly social enterprises, and the cohort will consist of no more than 20 participants. All teaching for this programme will be done in-person.
why should you apply?
In addition to the expertise of esteemed faculty members from UCL School of Management and Fashion Business School, participants will also receive:
- Exclusive access to UCL School of Management & Fashion Business School’s mentors and networks
- A certificate to demonstrate completion of the programme
- A sound understanding and the chance to apply for scholarships for further study at UCL East programmes
- A 1-year, discounted membership to Newham Chamber of Commerce (eligibility-dependent)
apply today
To register your interest in the Business Builder programme, please complete the application form. Please note: our 2025 cohort is now full and we are no longer accepting applications. Alternatively, to find out more about the programme, view the programme’s brochure. Please note that to enter this programme, you are required to review the programme’s privacy notice and submit the booking terms, both of which can be found here.
Got a question about the upcoming programme? Reach out to London College of Fashion’s Helen Hindley or Sofia Eleftheriadi. Alternatively, contact UCL School of Management Professor Susan Smith for academic-focussed questions.