When people talk about business support, they often focus on workshops, webinars or advice sessions. But the real story is always what happens afterwards. It is what changes for the founder who finally feels clearer, the small business that starts reaching new customers, the team that becomes more confident using digital tools, and the community that grows stronger because local businesses are better equipped to thrive.
That is the story of the LONDON E-Business Support Programme.
Delivered by UP, formerly StartUp Croydon, across Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Richmond and Kingston, the programme offered a fully funded package of support including one to one expert advice, guidance and recorded webinars, all designed to help small business owners make better use of digital technology, strengthen their online presence, attract more customers, increase sales and improve operations.
By the time this chapter came to a close, the impact was clear. 203 businesses were supported. 200 jobs were safeguarded. 6 jobs were created. 16 new markets were reached. 17 new products or services were launched.
Those numbers matter. But behind every one of them is a person, a decision, a challenge, and a business trying to move forward.
A programme built around real business needs
For many founders, digital growth can feel overwhelming. There is no shortage of platforms, tools or advice. The harder part is knowing what matters most, what to do first, and how to turn digital activity into meaningful business progress.
That is where this programme made such a difference.
Businesses were not given generic theory. They were supported through tailored one to one sessions, digital audits, action plans and recorded webinars covering areas such as SEO, online marketing, social media, ecommerce, customer service, cyber security and digital efficiency. The process was structured but practical. It started with an audit of how the business was currently using digital tools, moved into a bespoke action plan, and then continued through focused support sessions to help founders apply what they had learned.
For some participants, that meant building a stronger online presence. For others, it meant improving search visibility, simplifying client onboarding, testing better digital platforms, saving time through smarter systems, or finding a clearer path to sales. The strength of the programme was not only in what it offered, but in how it met people where they were and helped them move forward with more confidence.
Geoff Ranson’s role in making it happen at UP
Programmes like this do not run on good intentions alone. They run because someone keeps everything moving, keeps standards high, pays attention to the details, and makes sure people feel supported throughout the process.
At UP, Geoff Ranson played a central role in that work.
Geoff is described by the organisation as the Project Manager overseeing the rollout and facilitation of programmes for the benefit of the community. He is also recognised for his keen eye for detail, depth of knowledge, and the way he helps things run smoothly while supporting service users directly. That kind of contribution is not always the loudest part of a programme, but it is often one of the most important.
What stood out throughout this programme was that Geoff’s role was never just operational. It was human. Good business support is not simply about delivering activity. It is about creating the conditions for progress. It is about helping people feel that they are being guided, heard and backed properly. Geoff helped create that experience, and that matters.
A team effort that reached far beyond one programme
It is also important to say clearly that this was never the work of one person alone.
The success of the LONDON E-Business Support Programme reflects the work of the wider UP team, the advisers who shared their expertise, the speakers who contributed practical knowledge, and the participants who showed up ready to learn, adapt and grow. The programme itself was built around expert advice, ongoing support and accessible learning, but what gave it life was the people behind it.
That wider sense of momentum could be felt in the way the programme connected people, ideas and opportunities. UP’s December 2024 festive showcase brought together 12 business exhibitors alongside workshops and panel discussions, giving another visible reminder that the impact of support is not only measured in strategy or systems, but in confidence, community and visibility too. This was never just about digital tools in isolation. It was about helping local businesses become more resilient, more visible and better prepared for growth.
The stories behind the results
The real proof of impact is always found in the businesses themselves.
For Ariellah Duncan-Berry, founder of Aydee’s Ice Cream, the programme arrived at the right moment. Building a plant-based, gluten-free ice cream brand came with the same pressures many small businesses face, from growing brand awareness to encouraging customer loyalty. Through the programme, she worked closely with an adviser to identify clear next steps, including the introduction of a subscription model and better strategies to strengthen brand recognition. Ariellah described the support as giving her a clear roadmap and the tools needed for sustainable growth.
For Ghitta Basson of Rewind Your Mind, the challenge looked different but felt just as familiar. The business had already spent years delivering meaningful mental health support, particularly within the construction industry, but still faced digital roadblocks when it came to reaching the right audience online and creating a more consistent client acquisition process. Through the programme, Ghitta gained support on digital structuring, cost effective platform choices, onboarding and sales strategy. She described the experience simply: “Everything just makes sense now.”
These stories matter because they show what support looks like in real life. It is not abstract. It is not distant. It is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a founder seeing a way forward more clearly than before. If you would like to explore more stories from businesses supported through the programme, you can read more success stories here.
More than support, a lasting legacy
The true value of a programme like this cannot be measured only in outputs, although the outputs are significant.
Its real value lies in what it leaves behind.
Better systems. Stronger digital confidence. More visible businesses. New ways of reaching customers. More resilient founders. A clearer sense of what growth can look like, and how to pursue it.
That is the legacy of the LONDON E-Business Support Programme.
It helped businesses adapt. It helped founders think more clearly. It helped people move from uncertainty to action. And for UP, formerly StartUp Croydon, it stands as a strong example of what meaningful business support looks like when it is delivered with expertise, consistency and care.
What comes next
Although this programme has paused, the support behind it has not disappeared. UP has continued to evolve, with the organisation announcing in January 2026 that it is now operating under the broader name UP, while StartUp Croydon remains a recognised part of its story and identity.
That matters, because the belief behind this work remains the same. The right support, at the right time, can change what becomes possible for a founder.
Today, that next step is One to One Business Mentoring at UP.
This mentoring is designed for founders who want space to think clearly, make stronger decisions and move forward with confidence. The programme describes it as a supportive, practical relationship with an experienced mentor, focused on real challenges, real priorities and practical next steps. Applications begin with a short pre application, are reviewed individually, and places are limited based on fit and mentor availability. The mentoring itself is free. If an application is accepted and a suitable mentoring match is available, a one off £27 excl. VAT admin and programme set up fee applies before mentoring begins.
So while one chapter has closed, the wider mission continues.
The businesses supported through the LONDON E-Business Support Programme are part of that story. The team behind it is part of that story. Geoff Ranson’s leadership is part of that story. And for founders wondering what their next step could look like, UP is still here, still building, still backing people with the kind of support that helps turn potential into progress.
If you are ready for clearer thinking, stronger decisions and steady progress, this could be the right time to explore what comes next with UP.