Latest news with #microbusinesses
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Small And Mighty: How The UK Is Powering Up Its Microbusinesses
Small Business Britain launches a nationwide initiative to turn the UK's smallest ventures into powerful engines of growth—with live mentorship, expert training, and a bold vision for scale. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a post-pandemic world reshaped by economic uncertainty, flexible work, and a new wave of entrepreneurship, microbusinesses have emerged as one of the most dynamic—and overlooked—segments of the economy. Now, Small Business Britain, one of the country's leading enterprise support organisations, is setting out to change that with the launch of Small and Mighty Live, an in-person, high-impact training event designed to unlock the next phase of growth for the UK's smallest businesses. Set to take place at London's Science Museum on October 2, 2025, Small and Mighty Live marks the physical evolution of the acclaimed Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme, which has already supported over 4,000 entrepreneurs since its launch in 2022. From marketing workshops to live strategy panels and one-on-one mentoring, the day-long event will gather hundreds of sole traders and microbusinesses under one roof, giving them unprecedented access to business leaders, industry experts, and actionable tools for scale. "This event isn't just a celebration of opportunity and growth," said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain. "It's a powerful reminder of the vital role small businesses play in driving innovation, resilience, and boosting the UK economy." Delivered in partnership with Xero UK and ARU Peterborough, the Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme offers a free six-week online curriculum tailored to the nation's 5.2 million microbusinesses. This autumn, the programme returns on September 16, welcoming 500 entrepreneurs for expert-led training, live mentoring, and a structured path to building a 12-month growth strategy. Bethany Morton, founder of jewellery brand Silver & Steel, credits the programme for reigniting her business direction: "I hadn't looked at my business plan since launching. The programme gave me a much-needed refresher on setting goals, using new digital tools, and staying inspired." The live event in October is timed to coincide with the programme's midpoint—transforming its digital format into a vibrant, physical hub for community building and deep learning. Speakers at the event include Mike Soutar, entrepreneur and government adviser, Charelle Griffith, a top marketing mentor, and Professor Tom Williamson of ARU Peterborough. Workshops will tackle everything from SEO and PR to customer experience, alongside a live strategy panel hosted by money expert Emma Maslin, founder of The Money Whisperer. Attendees can expect not only knowledge-sharing, but tailored guidance through one-to-one mentorship, as well as peer networking opportunities with fellow founders facing similar growth challenges. "Microbusinesses are incredibly driven to grow," said Kate Hayward, Managing Director at Xero UK. "But they often struggle to access practical, relevant support. That's exactly what this programme delivers." Small and Mighty Live arrives at a time of growing ambition among the UK's microbusinesses. According to new research by Small Business Britain and Xero, over 60% of small business owners plan to grow their businesses by at least 50% in the next five years—a clear signal of intent that's now being matched with institutional support. By blending expert insight, community connection, and real-world tools, the programme doesn't just provide a platform for growth—it's quietly reshaping the UK's economic narrative, putting microbusinesses at the heart of the recovery and beyond. In a world increasingly defined by agility, resilience, and local impact, small may very well be the future of mighty. Applications for the next Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme are now open. To learn more or register for Small and Mighty Live, visit
UAE Moments
12-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Levantine Women Are Reinventing Side Hustles in 2025
I am sure you have felt it — that massive shift in how we live, work, and create in the years following 2020. When it comes to the women of the Levant, they never retreat. Instead, they have responded to these changes by redefining what it means to work, earn, and thrive. A Quiet Revolution For decades, side hustles in the Levant were often seen as hobby-level endeavors or financial stopgaps; they were even looked down upon. Today, they're something more: a form of resilience, expression, and even quiet rebellion. Many Levantine women are turning personal skills into income streams that challenge both economic instability and societal expectations. From handmade goods to remote content creation and online teaching, these women are creating micro-businesses that fit into their lives on their terms. Why Now? The post-2020 economy, fueled by inflation, job scarcity, and the normalization of remote work, pushed many to explore new avenues. But for women in the Levant, it also unlocked opportunities that were previously inaccessible or frowned upon. Cultural barriers are shifting. The digital space feels safer and more flexible than traditional work environments. And many women are choosing to build online identities where their creativity and labor are finally recognized and valued. Not Just Income, But An Identity What makes this shift so powerful is that it's not just about money. These side hustles are deeply tied to identity and purpose. Women are reviving cultural crafts, telling personal stories, and building communities. The lines between work and self-expression are beautifully blurred. A woman selling handmade crochet bags in Latakia isn't just running a business, she's preserving a tradition, building a brand, and showing the world that value doesn't always come from a corporate title or a 9-to-5. The Challenges Are Real Of course, it's not all smooth. Many still face limited access to digital tools, unsupportive family structures, or unstable internet. Algorithms don't favor everyone equally. And let's not forget the emotional labor of doing all this while still fulfilling traditional roles. But even in the face of those obstacles, Levantine women are adapting. They're forming online support networks, learning new skills, and proving that resilience isn't just survival, it's creative reinvention. Looking Ahead The Levant has always been a region of beauty, conflict, complexity, and creativity. Women here are showing how side hustles can be a form of quiet power and reshaping local economies and personal futures alike. This is more than a trend; it's a movement. And it's only just beginning.
Entrepreneur
19-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Techfino Raises INR 65 Cr from Stellaris Venture Partners and Saison Capital
The fresh funds will be used to expand its secured lending business focused on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in tier II and tier III cities across India. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Bengaluru-based non-banking financial company (NBFC) Techfino has raised INR 65 crore in fresh funding from Stellaris Venture Partners and Saison Capital. The fresh funds will be used to expand its secured lending business focused on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in tier II and tier III cities across India. The startup plans to deploy the capital to grow its branch network, enhance its technology platform, and scale its Loan Against Property (LAP) offerings for underserved micro-businesses. With this strategic move, Techfino aims to deepen its presence in underpenetrated markets and address the significant credit gap in the MSME sector. Rajesh Panda, Co-founder of Techfino, said, "Out of the 640 million registered MSMEs in India, 390 million are not part of the formal credit economy. This segment, especially in rural and semi-urban markets, generates an estimated quarterly demand of INR 200,000 crore. With limited presence of banks and large NBFCs in this space, we are leveraging our underwriting expertise and tech-enabled collections infrastructure to bridge this gap." Founded in 2019 by banking veterans Rajesh Panda (ex-Standard Chartered), Jayaprakash Patra (ex-ICICI Bank and ING), and Ratikant Satapathy (ex-Bajaj Finance), Techfino offers secured loans (LAP) to MSMEs and also education loans through a B2B2C model in partnership with education service providers. The company currently operates across Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, and has maintained profitability since inception. Highlighting the role of technology, Co-founder Ratikant Satapathy said, "Our internally developed tech platform integrates multiple APIs to verify underwriting data, resulting in faster loan processing, better risk assessment, and improved operational efficiency." Ritesh Banglani, Partner, Stellaris Venture Partners, said, "Techfino has shown that it is possible to build a profitable lending business in a high-risk segment through strong underwriting and full tech enablement. We are excited to support them in their mission to empower millions of MSMEs." To date, Techfino has disbursed over 1 lakh loans and crossed INR 200 crore in Assets Under Management (AUM). With this funding, the company plans to double its branch network, scale loan disbursements, and build a significant footprint in secured MSME lending over the next 3–5 years.
