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Business networking and events

Business networking and events

Business networking can provide you with the opportunity to share expertise and knowledge, find suppliers, collaborate, market your business and build new skills. This can happen through joining networking groups or by attending events. 

Business support events and webinars

An introduction to Access to Work

Did you know financial support is available for employers to make adjustments to create a suitable environment for disabled employees to work in successfully and productively?

Often described as a well-kept secret, Access to Work is a government grant scheme that helps disabled people to gain employment or remain in the current employment. But how can you, as an employer, access the scheme to recruit and retain – and value – staff?

Join our free 1 hour webinar at 11am on 22 January and Fleur Patten from Papworth Trust will explain what the scheme funds, how to access those funds, and how it can benefit you as a caring employer and as a successful business.

Book your free place

How to do business with the Council

Want to know how to win local authority contracts? They outsource a number of services, be that building services, catering, printing or IT, but how do they decide which supplier to contract, and how can local businesses, especially smaller ones, win bids for these contracts?

South Cambridgeshire District Council is committed to supporting local businesses. We want to encourage more local businesses to bid for, and win, public sector business. Facilitated by our Procurement Officer on 27 February from 11am to midday, this is an opportunity to understand the process of tendering for local government contracts.

Sign up for this practical, interactive online session and learn:

  • How to find open tenders
  • How to sell to local government
  • Using the right language
  • What is social value and why is it important?
  • Is this the right business strategy for you?
  • What are the changes to the Public Procurement Act and what do they mean for your business?

Sign up for your free place

The following organisations organise a range of in-person and virtual events for the local business community.

Alternative networking events can be found on the Meetup website.

We include a list of interesting local events and webinars in our Business Support newsletter. You can subscribe to our newsletter via our online form.

There are a number of business networking groups located in the villages around South Cambridgeshire offering local support. Below is a list of some we know of. If you are aware of any other local groups please email the team with details.

  • Monthly business networking breakfasts are held at different venues in Girton. If you would like to attend, or host a networking event, please email Martin Dickson from Arlington Manor Care Home.
  • The Histon and Impington Business Network is a relaxed and informal group for all types of businesses in and around Histon and Impington.
  • Melbourn Business Association is a vibrant networking group that meet regularly at Bury Lane Farm Shop and other local venues.

  • A regular business brunch club has been set up at The Chubby Frog in Caxton, described as “a get together for local entrepreneurs and business owners to connect, collaborate and cultivate a little community”.  For more information and future dates check their events page.

  • Black Business Network is the home of black business owners and start-up entrepreneurs, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge.
  • Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce holds free informal networking events and training opportunities at a range of venues across the county. 
  • Cambridge Network is a cross-sector membership organisation that brings people together - from business and academia - to meet each other and share ideas, encouraging collaboration for greater success.
  • Cambridge 100 is one of Cambridge's longest-established business clubs, where entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals come together over quarterly dinners and listen to renowned business leaders.
  • Cambridge Cleantech is a network organisation supporting the growth of sustainable, ‘clean technology’ companies in the United Kingdom.
  • Cambridge Wireless is a leading international network for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless and mobile, Internet, semiconductor and software technologies.
  • Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce has a number of sector specific groups including construction, HR and IT.
  • One Nucleus is a life sciences and healthcare membership organisation based in Cambridge. Their support for businesses includes running at least 15 network meetings each year.
  • The Athena Network is a networking, training and development business club for women executives and entrepreneurs.
  • Cambridge AWiSE is a regional network for women in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), in both industry and academia.

  • EnterpriseWOMEN is a specialised entrepreneurial learning programme designed to cater to early-stage women researchers and entrepreneurs who aspire to establish – or have - new businesses, especially in science and tech.

  • Mums in Business Network Cambridge connects like-minded businesswomen at monthly child friendly meetings at the Holiday Inn Express in Cambourne. For more information, including upcoming dates and guest speakers, join their Facebook group.
  • Small Business Vibes is a networking group for women entrepreneurs offering both in-person and virtual opportunities to meet. Local events are listed on their website.
  • Women In Business Network meetings are a great way of meeting like-minded business women.

 

  • Black Business Network is the home of black business owners and start-up entrepreneurs, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge.
  • FSB’s Business Without Barriers hub features inspiring interviews with successful disabled entrepreneurs and personal accounts from employers who are helping to break down barriers to employment.
  • Hatch Enterprise supports underrepresented business founders, such as: women, disabled entrepreneurs and/or founders from an ethnic minority. They help to create, launch and grow sustainable and impactful businesses through tailored programmes.
  • Let’s Grow Business Together is a LGBT+ business hub. They offer free resources, interviews, advice, and networking events for LGBT+ small business owners and employers, who look to make their workplace more inclusive.

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