GROW: Confidence, Community, Possibility
We’re searching for 10 ambitious purpose-led entrepreneurs who are doing business in Barking and Dagenham to take part in GROW 2026.
GROW brings together community-minded entrepreneurs to learn, share challenges, and build stronger businesses together.
GROW Live: Back Purpose-Led Businesses
Join us on 13 May as this year’s GROW finalists pitch their ventures live to a roomful of residents and local entrepreneurs.
You get to vote for the businesses you believe in most.
The Opportunity
- £10,000 grant (non-repayable) + access to £5-15,000 to get investment ready
- Equity free investment from £25,000
- Group learning and one-to-one coaching
- A supportive community of entrepreneurs to help you GROW
- A chance to pay it forward – all investment repayments will be reinvested back into the borough
The GROW Community
Successful GROW applicants will join a growing community of inspiring entrepreneurs who are making an impact in Barking & Dagenham.
We’ve already supported 18 businesses, with 3 taking on social investment so far:
Stories from GROW
Discover the experiences of people who have gone through the GROW programme and are still part of our community today. Click on an image below to read their story:
Resources
Click the images below to learn more about GROW and social investment. If you have any questions, you can contact
Jack Webb, GROW Programme Manager.
The GROW Story
Created by local people, for local entrepreneurs. The GROW Fund is all about reinvesting in Barking and Dagenham’s success.
The idea came from a group of residents who chose to develop GROW so local entrepreneurs can create both a commercial and a social impact in the borough.
Everyone that applied in 2023 was based in Barking & Dagenham, 60% of applications were from Black-led ventures, and 70% from women-led enterprises.
Since 2023 18 local businesses have taken part, with three taking on social investment so far. Listen to Carole from The Boathouse Barking CIC’s journey on the 9 Miles East Podcast.
Contact Jack to find out more.
Jack Webb
GROW Fund Programme Manager
Watch the video above of our community celebrating the launch of GROW 2026!
Case-studies from GROW
Christina Lartey, Founder Think Pieces
GROW 2025 participant
Think Pieces helps primary school children develop financial confidence through interactive workshops, games and digital learning tools.
With BD Giving’s GROW Fund, Christina has been able to accelerate the development of her business, expand her network and bring a new financial literacy app to life.
For Christina, one of the biggest surprises about GROW was the sense of community among founders. Learning alongside others who were building businesses in the borough created a powerful support network.
“The best part has been meeting other founders and learning from people who are at different stages of their journey.”
Thanks to funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, BD Giving will run GROW until 2027.