Action for Race Equality

Empowering Young People who are Black, Asian and of Mixed Heritage

Inclusive Entrepreneurs

The Inclusive Entrepreneurs programme, funded by Islington Council, is a bespoke programme of support set up to reach underrepresented groups who would not usually access seed funding grant programmes for start-ups run by the Council. In particular, Black, Asian and Minority Owned businesess. The programme also targets female entrepreneurs and people with disabilities in the borough, as part of Islington Council’s wider Business Recovery Programme.* 

Action for Race Equality is working in partnership with the council to provide a blended support service for fledgling entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups. We aim to address the needs of businesses at the start of their journey and help them develop successfully and sustainably. 

Since February 2022, the programme has followed a two-stage approach. Entrepreneurs have been granted one-off seed funding, as well as ongoing support with our specialist facilitators and consultants through a mix of one-to-one sessions, masterclasses, peer-to-peer learning groups and opportunities to attend networking events​. 

*The term ‘BAME’ is used by Islington Council.

MEET the entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs met with Islington Council and Action for Race Equality to discuss the impact of the project.

Case Studies

action learning stories

Paying a higher price

One of the biggest barriers facing Black, Asian and Minority owned businesses is the lack of funding available to them.

Despite accounting for 14% of the UK’s population, only 1.7% of venture capital investments between 2009 and 2019 were awarded to entrepreneurs where all team members were from ethnically diverse backgrounds. When looking at black women specifically, this figure goes down to 0.02% (Extend Ventures, 2020). 

Lack of mentorship (especially from those who share their unique experiences), having less generational wealth passed down and not having access to the same business networks and opportunities as their white counterparts are all other issues faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic entrepreneurs. 

ARE is aware of the unique potential of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic-led enterprises. These businesses are estimated to contribute £25 – £32 billion to the UK economy per year.

Since 2002, entrepreneurs from ethnic minority backgrounds have reported typically higher levels of entrepreneurial activity, and are more likely to engage in processes of business innovation (Federation of Small Businesses, 2020).

However, many business leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds are reluctant to the idea of taking loans to further business aspirations. This hesitancy has increased during the COVID-19 crisis due to an uncertain economic environment, and a reduced likelihood of finding finance for their businesses.

A dark purple banner reading: "49% of Asian and Other Ethnic Minority entrepreneurs cite ‘difficulties getting finance’ as the reason for stopping work on their business idea."

Shaping the programme

The majority of contact time with our businesses is during the one-to-one consultancy. Our consultants have years of specialist knowledge and create a truly bespoke set of sessions to maximise each start-up’s potential while working flexibly around the time constraints each entrepreneur faces. 

We have also worked carefully with Islington Council and our expert consultants to develop masterclasses focussed on the following key areas: 

  • Business planning and management
  • Using data to increase business opportunities
  • Financial planning and the basic principles of finance
  • Finding the right market for your business
  • Planning and running effective promotions
  • Turning your marketing into sales

Alongside this, businesses have been taking part in innovative learning exercises called Action Learning Sets. As these are small group activities, we carefully identify a challenge that a portion of the businesses are facing and develop a session to target this. 

It has widened my horizons and thinking”

Local business owner

For more information on the Inclusive Entrepreneurs Programme, please contact Project Support Officer, Tara Shah.

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Business Skills Guides

Download the ARE Business Skills Guide to Business Planning.

Written by business consultant Tutu Adebiyi, this short guide tells you what to you need to think about when you’re planning your new business.

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