Small Business, Big Dreams

Want to take your business to the next level, but don’t know where to start?

Struggling with funding or recruitment hurdles that stop you short?

Perhaps your product or service could be a complete sellout – if only you could get it in front of the right customer.

Introducing Hertfordshire Growth Hub

For the past 10 years, the Growth Hub has been a pillar of support for small businesses across the county – setting them on a growth trajectory, providing a sounding board for ideas, and offering that all-important helping hand when decision overwhelm sets in.

One-to-one, expert and impartial advice might sound like it should cost the earth but the Growth Hub’s service is free at the point of access, offering you a dedicated Growth Account Manager to help your business take on the world.

Since its launch in 2015, Hertfordshire Growth Hub has played a key role in helping drive small business growth across the county. Whether you’re a fresh-faced founder or a seasoned SME tackling your next stage of expansion, the Growth Hub will meet you where you are—and take you where you want to go.

Delivered on behalf of Hertfordshire Futures—part of the Growth and Environment directorate of Hertfordshire County Council—the service offers oneto-one advice, workshops, investmentreadiness support, and the challenge and encouragement that keeps businesses moving.

“Hertfordshire Growth Hub has been there whenever we needed them... it makes such a difference when you talk to someone who isn’t trying to sell you something and simply has your best interests at heart.”

Pavlina Chauhan, Founder, AKN Engineering

It’s delivered by a consortium of highly experienced local partners led by Exemplas, together with the University of Hertfordshire, Visit Herts, and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

A Decade of Impact

In the 10 years since it was founded, Hertfordshire Growth Hub has:

• Supported 14,000+ businesses

• Helped create and safeguard over 2,800 jobs

• Delivered 150+ workshops and webinars

• Worked with 150+ support partners

• Generated £64.2 million in economic value through its Get Growing and Building Back Better programmes

But this isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about staying with businesses for the long haul. Take the Stickleback Fish Company, which first reached out to the Growth Hub in 2017. An initial in-depth assessment led to it diversifying its markets, however like many others, the business faced dire straits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the Growth Hub, it was able to access a £100k grant, enabling it to modernise its operations, open a new factory, recruit 40 new staff, and achieve 20% yearon-year growth.

“Access to business advice and grants like this allows small businesses like mine to take risks, invest in their future and become more sustainable.”

Rob Finlay, Owner, Written Records Ltd

Support, When and Where You Need It

The Growth Hub’s agility during the pandemic speaks volumes. It swiftly deployed over £290k in grants, launched a wellbeing and resilience programme, and helped customer-facing businesses to keep going.

Initiatives like the Create Growth Programme, ‘Herts, Camera, Action!’, and Building Back Better have helped businesses tap into Hertfordshire’s booming film and TV sector, explore sustainable practices, and access finance for innovation.

Why You Should Get Involved

The Growth Hub isn’t just a support service—it’s a strategic sounding board and gateway to partnerships, funding, and growth opportunities. It offers:

• Dedicated Growth Account Managers

• Investment-readiness support

• Targeted events and workshops

• Signposting to grants and funding

• Direct connections to trusted partners

• Sector-specific expertise

“You don’t know what you don’t know—and they’ll give you access to a whole world of support, grants and organisations you probably didn’t even realise existed.”

Cheryl Luzet, CEO, Wagada Digital