The GBCC Black Business Collective Bulletin 

Welcome to your sixth edition!

In this quarterly bulletin, you will find opportunities, events and content all aimed at, and curated for, the black business community.

Our partners

Committee update

The BCON and GBCC Black Business committees are extremely saddened to learn of the all too early homegoing of High Chief Sam Duru.

Sam was a staunch advocate of the West Midlands Black Business Community. He played an important role in the launch of the GBCC Black Business Collective in his capacity as Executive Director of the Black Business Network CIC. His invaluable contribution, words of support and wisdom will forever be remembered and our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this very difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

Partner article

How to manage work-related stress

Following Stress Awareness Month earlier this year, the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Working Minds campaign called on employers to support employees' mental health by focusing on the campaign's five Rs.

In this article, Trowers & Hamlins highlights the five Rs and explores what employers have to consider in order to make tackling stress in the workplace routine.

 In our recent news

Investment Readiness Accelerator launched to champion Black-owned businesses in the region

Chamber set to sponsor upcoming Black Talent Awards

WM Innovation and Growth Conference 

Powering progress across Manufacturing | Technology | Life Sciences | Services

🗓️ Friday 10^th October

9:00am – 3:00pm

📍 Millennium Point, Birmingham

Complimentary tickets

Welcome to the future of innovation in the West Midlands!

The West Midlands Innovation and Growth Conference is the premier event bringing together visionaries, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders from across manufacturing, technology, life sciences and services.

This is your opportunity to connect, collaborate and create the future of business in one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse regions.

Join us as we ignite innovation, drive growth and shape the region’s future.

Why attend?

• Cut costs and reduce waste with tech-driven manufacturing ✅
• Drive collaboration between sectors to unlock life-changing innovation ✅
• Access world-class support, strategic advice and investment insights ✅
• Create the connections that power business growth and regional prosperity ✅

Who should attend?

• Manufacturers looking to innovate processes, adopt Industry 4.0 tech and build sustainable operations.
• Tech entrepreneurs and scale-ups ready to tap into investment and connect with clients.
• Life sciences leaders driving advances in healthcare, biotech and digital health.
• Service providers from finance, design, marketing, consultancy and beyond aiming to enable innovation across sectors.

What to expect

• Thought-leading talks & panels in a state-of-the-art iMax auditorium
• Inspirational keynotes from leading minds in industry and innovation
• Exhibitor zone showcasing groundbreaking products and services
• Dedicated networking spaces to meet future collaborators, clients and partners
• Refreshments and informal meetups in the Platform area

Be part of the region’s growth story. Whether you’re a startup, SME, academic or corporate innovator - there’s something here for you!

UK Black Business Show 2025

The UK Black Business Show has been created to inspire and connect black business owners and professionals.

Through exhibits, deep-dive workshops, interactive panels, and seminars delivered by industry pioneers, this event will enable personal, professional and corporate development.

Birmingham Black Business Conference

Saturday 25^th October 2025

10:00am - 8:00pm

Legacy Centre of Excellence

Get ready for an unforgettable day of empowerment, growth and connection!

Join us for the Birmingham Black Business Conference 2025 - the ultimate gathering for Black entrepreneurs, visionaries and changemakers.

Headline speaker - 19 Keys

Global thought leader, wealth educator and business strategist - here to drop game-changing insights to elevate your business and mindset.

What to expect

Dynamic panel discussions

Powerful networking opportunities

Strategies to scale, sustain and succeed in business

Exclusive ticket packages

General admission

Access to all sessions & networking areas

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn and level up your business journey.

Spaces are limited, so secure your ticket today!

Complimentary Black Business Week tickets

You can also use the code 'BBMAGFREE' for complimentary tickets at Black Business Week events.

The code is valid exclusively for Black Women Business Talks and Black Men Business Talks.

Business Support Training Programme

Funded by @westmids_ca and @govuk

Are you launching a startup or growing your current business and unsure where to find the right support? After hosting successful business events at Legacy, we're excited to bring you another opportunity to learn, connect, and grow! Whether you're running a small business or scaling a large startup, our completely FREE 1-on-1 mentoring session is designed just for you!

Free monthly grant funding newsletter

'Show Me The Money'

If you’re seeking funding, finance, or business support, subscribe to Drew Currie’s free monthly grant funding newsletter, 'Show Me The Money'. Get information on grants, programmes and funding delivered to your inbox every month!

Black & Diverse Safeguarding Conference 2025

The UK’s first and only national conference dedicated to black and diverse safeguarding professionals

The event was founded by Le’Siran Edwards - award-winning social work leader and coach recognised nationally for restoring equity in social work.

The facts we can’t ignore

• 40%+ of black social workers face bullying, harassment or discrimination.
• Only 1 in 10 ever reach senior leadership.
• Black social workers are 48% less likely to be promoted than white colleagues (Social Work England, WRES 2023/24).

These inequalities decide who protects our communities and who leads the future of safeguarding. They are not just statistics - they are lived experiences. Careers blocked. Voices silenced. Potential lost.

Why BDSC 2025 matters

BDSC 2025 is where change begins. Safeguarding practitioners, leaders, and changemakers from across the UK - spanning policing, social work, NHS and race equality networks - will unite to confront inequity, share solutions and shape a new vision for safeguarding.

You can expect

• 30+ expert speakers tackling equity, wellness and practice.
• Black-owned businesses and organisations in our exhibition arena.
• Nala’s Baby - ranked 10^th in The Sunday Times 100: Britain’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies 2025 - gifting skincare to children in foster care to ensure their health needs are met.

Join the movement that’s being called the most important safeguarding conference in the UK!

Limited tickets and exhibitor stands remain.

Funding opportunities

West Midlands SME Grant Programme

This programme seeks to increase productivity by improving business confidence, stimulating business activity, attracting investment, safeguarding existing and creating new jobs within local communities.

The grant funding can be used for the specific activities and offers £2,500 to £100k (the average grant would be circa £20k-30k). The intervention rate will be up to 50% of the total grant.

Birmingham & Solihull Export Support Programme

The Birmingham and Solihull Export Support Programme (BASESP) offers grants of up to £6,000 (100% funded) to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Birmingham and Solihull.

Eligible activities include (not limited to): Support for market research, intellectual property consultancy, translation services, participation in trade shows and social media and search engine optimisation (SEO).

Global Business Innovation Programme

Innovate UK is inviting ambitious innovative companies to participate in its Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP). Each GBIP aims to help UK businesses grow and scale on a global stage through building R&D and innovation collaborations and partnerships and accelerating access to the market.

To apply, you must be a UK-based company with fewer than 250 employees. The application must be made by the CEO, founder or senior decision maker and they must complete all activities. 

Sandwell Business Grants

Sandwell Council (with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) is taking applications from eligible start-up businesses to receive grants of up to £3,000. To qualify, you need to be registered on the Sandwell Enterprise Programme and use the funding for specific activities

Exporting Starts Here Programme

This fully funded programme – backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is designed to give SMEs across Birmingham and Solihull the tools, knowledge and confidence to thrive globally.

The programme offers personalised 1:1 support from expert export advisors, practical training and workshops on documentation / customs requirements, VAT, export strategies, market research, product regulation and compliance.

Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition

Applications now open!

Thursday 6^th November 2025

5:00pm – 8:00pm

Mills & Reeve

FREE to attend

The Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition aims to promote high-potential, women-led businesses in the region and create a platform for women entrepreneurs to build their investor networks, hone their pitching skills and develop their knowledge of how to attract investment.

It will see up to five businesses pitch live to a panel of leading investors. At the end of the evening, just one business will be selected as the judges “one to watch” and winner of the competition.

Applications are open to all West Midlands based, female founded/led businesses and will close on 17^th September 2025.

Use the button below to find out more, to apply or to attend the event.