Southwark Pioneers Fund supports nearly 500 business owners from diverse backgrounds

The Southwark Pioneers Fund (SPF) is a council-run flagship business support programme to celebrate the diversity of local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The fund’s programme of support is for people looking to grow their business in the borough, including people just starting out or from under-represented groups.

To date, 289 enterprises and 179 aspiring entrepreneurs have been supported by the fund, of which 67 per cent are from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds; 75 per cent female; four per cent disabled; 18 per cent young people. They all have access to support across marketing, sales, pitching, finance, leadership, business management and more. Businesses are also able to apply for grants to invest in their business. More than £147,000 has now been awarded in grants. This includes a £10,000 grant awarded to Black Cowboy Coffee in Elephant and Castle.

Emeka Kuizhi Otagburuagu, Founder of Black Cowboy Coffee, said: “The Southwark Pioneers Fund has helped ensure the growth of my business over the next few months and years. I have been able to invest in a three-screen high-end digital menu display and a new menu design by a local student from the University of Arts. The impact was immediate: the menu being more visible increased the average spend of customers.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “Southwark’s diversity makes the borough what it is, including our amazing local businesses and entrepreneurs. Everyone should be able to take a business idea and make it grow with the right support, which is what our pioneers fund is all about.

“Our support and funding has reached people from all backgrounds wanting to take their business to the next level, including Emeka at Black Cowboy Coffee. It was fantastic to learn about the positive impact of our pioneers fund, which in turn will help us build a resilient and fairer economy for all.”

The council teamed up with their business support partners Trampoline and Hatch Enterprise to help participants take their business to the next level.

Mellissa Morgan, Co-Head of Programmes at Hatch Enterprise, said: “We’re really pleased that our partnership with Southwark Council has allowed us to offer grant funding to these amazing new businesses, giving them the opportunity to grow the reach and impact they are able to have in their sectors and communities.”

Claudine Bongo, Executive Director Founder of Trampoline, said: “The individual's identity and story are what drive business and change within Southwark, proving that diversity is not just a strength, but the very foundation of our success.”