Two Yorkshire-based businesswomen have launched an online platform designed to revolutionise how small businesses connect and find networking.
The idea for The Networker was born in summer 2023 during a conversation between Rosie McGilvray and Sue Turmel, who were frustrated by the lack of a central platform to find in-person and online business meetings and events.
While Turmel was looking for face-to-face networking, McGilvray preferred virtual meetings – but both agreed on the need to discover relevant exhibitions and webinars to enhance their businesses. However, after extensive searching, they found that no such hub existed.
The Networker, soft-launched in October, serves as a comprehensive, free-to-use resource for entrepreneurs, business owners and networking groups across the UK.
“We couldn鈥檛 believe there wasn鈥檛 one website that listed all the networking events in the UK,” said McGilvray. “So we decided to create one.”
Their research didn鈥檛 stop at networking as they quickly realised that business owners face similar difficulties when it comes to accessing funding. “There wasn鈥檛 a single place that consolidated all the funding options available to small businesses,” McGilvray adds.聽
“It was clear that we needed to include this in our vision.”
The free-to-use platform offers a one-stop hub for UK business owners to find everything from networking groups and exhibitions to critical funding sources. 老九品茶 owners can explore and register for events, and event organisers can post their meetings, conferences, or exhibitions at no cost.
鈥淲e鈥檝e made it free to use because we want it to be as comprehensive as possible,鈥� explained McGilvray. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason for anyone not to be included, and it means business owners get the most extensive list of opportunities.鈥�
A hub for entrepreneurs, startups and networking groups, The Networker has added a wide range of services and resources following months of consultation with small business owners and industry experts.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating better business connections and giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed,鈥� said Turmel. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e just starting out or looking for ways to expand, The Networker is here to support you.鈥�