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.
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
Who can apply?
You can apply if:
- Your work positively impacts (or plans to) Barking and Dagenham’s communities and/or its local economy.
- You are at least 18 years old on 4th March 2026.
- Your annual turnover last year was below £350,000.
- Your business is currently trading and you can evidence it.
- You can commit 10+ hours a month to participate in a seven month programme to grow your business, learn from others and join a new community of entrepreneurs.
- You have a clear ambition to explore further development of your business, particularly in the form of an investment to your business.
- You have not been successful in any previous GROW Fund rounds.
This year, we are particularly keen to support young entrepreneurs (aged 18-25) and we’re strongly encouraging applications from this demographic.
Find Out More
There is an online information session on the 11th March, 11:00 – 12:00, where you can find out about alternative finance and the GROW opportunity. We will open up another information session later in March, if there’s demand for it.
Please sign up here for the information session.
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:
GROW 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
Thanks to funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, BD Giving will run GROW until 2027.