A new free programme has been launched to support aspiring female entrepreneurs in Harrow.
The Harrow Female Startup Accelerator Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the London Borough of Harrow, offers a six-week intensive course designed to equip local women with the skills and confidence to start their own businesses. The programme, delivered in partnership with Metro Bank, provides coaching, mentoring, and tailored support.
Participants will develop entrepreneurial skills, create business plans, and prepare pitch decks, with the potential to pitch for investment by the end of the course. The programme includes four workshops, one-to-one sessions, two peer-to-peer sessions, and networking opportunities.
While the majority of sessions will be online, face-to-face options are available on request. The first cohort has already started and is fully subscribed, but applications are open for the second round, which begins in October.
The deadline to apply is Friday, 19 October. The programme is led by two experienced female entrepreneurs and business mentors, Naima Omasta-Milsom and Lisa Maynheer, who have over 60 years of experience combined.
Naima Omasta-Milsom, co-founder and managing director of LBP, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with London Borough of Harrow and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver this exciting accelerator for ambitious local women.
“With our September cohort already full, we need 15 more women, who either have a business idea or wish to explore self-employment options, to be part of the second cohort. As long as women are living in Harrow and are not yet trading, we encourage candidates to register on our website today.
“The programme is entirely free yet offers high-quality business expertise. As a result, we hope a diversity of women will sign up and have a great start to their entrepreneurial journey.”
The London Business Partnership is also offering the Harrow Business Support (Growth) Programme for SMEs this autumn, with free online and in-person events covering topics such as branding, email marketing, and creating business models.
