Yes. The community, content, events, and tools are all free. AI for Growth is a national initiative backed by government and industry — the whole point is to help UK businesses adopt AI, not to sell you something.

I don't know anything about AI. Is this for me?

Absolutely. Most people in the community started exactly where you are. Everything is designed for business owners, not tech experts. If you can use email, you can use the tools and content here.

How much time does this take?

As much or as little as you want. Some people check in for ten minutes a week. Others attend events and work through guides. There's no curriculum and no deadlines. Dip in when it suits you.

What sectors do you cover?

We're building content and community spaces for retail, manufacturing, professional services, construction, and admin and support services — with more sectors to come. But the community forums are open to all sectors, and a lot of AI use cases work across different types of business.

Will AI replace my staff?

We're not going to pretend the question doesn't exist. In most of the businesses we've worked with, AI handles repetitive tasks and frees people up to do more valuable work. Some roles will change. But the businesses getting ahead are the ones investing in their people alongside the technology — not instead of them.

What You Get

Talk to people like you

Our community brings together SME owners and operators from across the UK. Ask questions, share what's working, and learn from people who've already tried it. No consultants pitching you. No jargon. Just honest conversations between people running businesses.

Learn at your own pace

Watch short videos, read practical guides, and follow step-by-step walkthroughs — all designed for people who run businesses, not people who build technology. Every piece of content is based on what's actually worked for real UK businesses.

Join free events

Online webinars and in-person meetups where you can hear from businesses that have done it, ask your questions live, and meet other SME owners in your area or sector. No sales pitches. Just useful sessions you can act on.

Get tools that actually help

From our AI security checklist to sector-specific playbooks, we're building practical tools that help you adopt AI safely and confidently. Everything is free, tested with real businesses, and designed to be useful from day one.

You're not starting from scratch.

AI adoption can feel overwhelming when you're doing it alone. That's why thousands of UK businesses are coming together to figure it out. Some are just getting started. Some have been at it for months. All of them are willing to share what they've learned.

Getting started takes two minutes:

01 Join the Community

Sign up for free. You'll get access to discussion forums, content, and events straight away. No commitment, no credit card.

02 Find your starting point

Browse by sector or topic. Whether you're in retail, professional services, construction, or something else entirely, there's content and conversation for you.

03 Take one step

Watch a video. Try a tool. Ask a question. You don't need a plan — just pick one thing and see what happens. Most people are surprised how quickly they see a difference.

Led by people who understand small business

Nick Harding

Nick is CEO of Fifty One Degrees, an AI consultancy that helps small businesses get AI working in practice. His team has implemented AI for businesses across retail, professional services, and manufacturing — so he knows what actually works at SME scale, not just what sounds good in a pitch deck.

Kai Feller

Kai is CEO of Cyberstaff and former CEO of Bark.com, one of the UK's most successful marketplace platforms. He's built technology businesses from the ground up and understands the real challenges SMEs face when adopting new tools — the budget constraints, the time pressure, and the scepticism about whether it's worth the effort.

Nick Harding

Co-Chair, SME Pillar

Kai Feller

Co-Chair, SME Pillar

Common Questions

Part of a national initiative

AI for Growth brings together frontier AI companies, government, and industry to accelerate AI adoption across the UK. The SME Community is one part of a much bigger effort — and it means you're getting access to resources, expertise, and tools that no single organisation could offer alone.

Ready to see what AI can do for your business?

Join a community of UK business owners who are working it out together. It's free, it's practical, and you can start today. 

→ Join the community — it's free 

Takes less than two minutes. No credit card. No commitment.