Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

For over 42 years, Wenta has been helping to transform the lives of entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.  As one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit enterprise agencies, Wenta’s mission is simple but powerful: inclusive support making it easier and greener to start and run a successful business.

We spoke with Jennifer Condon, Director of Services and Engagement at Wenta, to explore how their work delivers real client benefits, what sets their offer apart, and how ambitious plans around innovation, sustainability and new spaces such as The DomeWorks will shape the future of business support.

A people-first value proposition

At the heart of Wenta’s approach is a clear belief that business support should be accessible, inclusive and genuinely useful.

Wenta works predominantly with people considering starting a business, new start‑ups and more established small business owners - helping them to start up, survive, grow and innovate.  Much of their work focuses on pre‑start entrepreneurs and businesses in their first five years, supporting individuals who often don’t yet see themselves as ‘business owners’.  Many are sole traders or micro‑businesses balancing their enterprise with family life, employment or caring responsibilities.

“The hardest thing we see firstly for people is knowing what business support is available, and then finding the time to actually access it.” explains Jennifer. “We exist to remove those barriers and make business support easy to reach, at the point people need it most.  Our focus is on meeting people where they are - digitally, locally and at the moment they need help in a practical, and convenient way”

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Wenta reinvests income generated through its business centres directly back into the local communities, providing free and independent advice, skills training, specialist programmes and resources to help people start and run their business. This means there are no hidden catches, just high-quality support delivered by experienced advisors who understand the realities of running a small business.

“We’re very client-focused,” Jennifer says. “There’s sometimes a perception that free support must be low value, but our entire model is built on delivering real impact for real people and our impact shows that accessible, inclusive business support can genuinely change lives and help to support and build our local communities.”

Who Wenta supports and why it matters

Founded in 1983 as Watford Enterprise Agency, Wenta has grown into a national organisation with deep local roots. Today, it supports entrepreneurs and businesses across the UK, with particular strength in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Enfield and the surrounding regions.

Over the last year alone, Wenta supported the creation of 1,218 new businesses, generating an estimated £18.2 million in gross value added to the UK economy. That activity also helped to create 1,361 new jobs, strengthening local economies across the country.

Support is delivered both at scale and in depth. Nationally, Wenta provided 71,970 hours of free, inclusive business support alongside 62,648 hours of training. This included 48,610 skills training sessions and 7,190 on-demand learning sessions, enabling entrepreneurs to build knowledge at a pace that suits them.

Financial support has also played a critical role. In the last year, Wenta has helped to administer and distribute £133,194 in business grants, paid directly to small businesses, totalling £287,944 over the past three years – vital funding during a challenging economic period.

Through free business advice, workshops and digital learning resources, Wenta helps people move from idea to action, from start-up to sustainability.  Many of those supported are sole traders, early-stage founders or microbusinesses who might otherwise struggle to access professional guidance.

“These are people juggling businesses around family life, jobs or caring responsibilities,” Jennifer explains. “They don’t always see themselves as ‘business owners’ yet, but with the right support they can build something sustainable and rewarding for themselves, for their families.”

The benefits are tangible: increased confidence, improved skills, higher business survival rates and stronger local economies.

A joined-up journey for businesses

Wenta is proud to have a strategic partnership with the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, which reflects a shared commitment to better client experiences. By working together, both organisations ensure businesses are guided to the right support at the right stage of their journey.

“Whether someone comes through Wenta or the Chamber, the experience should feel seamless - it’s about creating a one-stop ecosystem of local support where businesses don’t fall through the gaps.” says Jennifer. “Together, Bedfordshire Chamber and Wenta bring nearly 200 years of combined experience in supporting business owners. This shared depth of knowledge and relationships gives us a unique understanding of what communities need to thrive.”

Looking ahead: innovation through digital and AI

Wenta’s future plans are shaped by how small business owners want to learn and engage today.  Building on lessons from the pandemic, Wenta is investing heavily in digital resources and on-demand learning, AI-informed digital tools and a new website experience that becomes Wenta’s expert advice and guidance, in your pocket.

“People want business support that fits around their busy lives” Jennifer notes. “They want to access training when it suits them, not just during the classic office hours.  Almost like the Deliveroo or Uber of business support.”

This digital strategy also embraces emerging technologies such as AI, ensuring Wenta remains visible and relevant as search behaviour and information discovery evolve.

From on-demand sessions to digital learning platforms, Wenta is responding to how entrepreneurs want to engage today, and how they will search for support tomorrow.

The DomeWorks: a flagship space for collaboration

Alongside digital innovation, Wenta is also investing in physical space through The DomeWorks in Watford. Recently granted planning permission, this major redevelopment of Wenta’s original site will become a flagship business centre over the next 12–18 months.

Designed as a highly visible, modern and sustainable building, The DomeWorks will offer flexible workspace, collaboration areas, creative studios and media facilities.

“We want to create places where people can turn up, connect, learn and grow,” says Jennifer. “The DomeWorks will be a flagship space that reflects how modern businesses actually work.”

Built using modular construction and designed with sustainability in mind, The DomeWorks represents Wenta’s long-term commitment to innovation and community.

Supporting greener businesses with Action Zero

Sustainability is an increasingly important focus for Wenta, particularly through its Action Zero programme. Designed specifically for micro and small businesses, Action Zero helps entrepreneurs understand and reduce their carbon footprint in practical, affordable ways.

Since its launch, 20,707 business owners have engaged with Action Zero, with 207 new small business owners signing up in the last year alone to learn more about sustainability.

“When government talks about net zero, it’s often aimed at larger SMEs,” Jennifer explains. “But the smallest businesses - sole traders and home-based enterprises - need support that’s relevant to them. Action Zero is about making sustainability achievable, not overwhelming.”

The programme combines education, one-to-one advice and practical tools, while increasingly highlighting the commercial benefits of sustainability, such as access to public sector contracts and new markets.

Support at every stage of the journey

From first ideas to future growth, Wenta’s message to businesses is you don’t have to do it alone.

While Wenta works nationally, its deep local roots and long-standing collaborations across Bedfordshire, ensure businesses benefit from joined-up support and clear pathways as they grow.

“Clients are at the heart of everything we do,” Jennifer concludes. “We’re here to help. Our role is to make business simpler, more inclusive and more sustainable, whatever stage you’re at.”

Whether you’re exploring a business idea, launching a start-up or looking to build skills and confidence, Wenta offers free advice, training and resources designed around real business needs.

Discover how Wenta can support you and your business by visiting wenta.co.uk and explore the full range of free advice, training and resources available.

To join the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com or call 01582 522448.