Uber Eats launches fund to support black-owned businesses in the UK

Black-owned restaurants across the UK can apply to receive financial support from a new fund sponsored by Uber Eats.

The Black Business Fund, which was established alongside Enterprise Nation and Be Inclusive Hospitality, will give ten small black-owned businesses that have been severely impacted by the pandemic a portion of its £50,000 budget.

Enterprise Nation is a group of business advisers that strive to support small businesses, and Be Inclusive Hospitality is a not-for-profit organisation "with a mission to accelerate racial equality in the hospitality sector".

The Black Business Fund is a continuation of a partnership between Enterprise Nation and Uber Eats, which gave Uber drivers the opportunity to start their own businesses this November.

Although the food delivery platform previously teamed up with Black Eats London to tell the stories of black-owned businesses in a social media series, this is the first time that Uber Eats has launched a financial relief scheme that is specifically aimed at supporting black-owned small businesses in the UK.

Only 5% of small or medium sized business owners in the UK are from black or other ethnic minority backgrounds.

Jackson Mclarty of Black Eats London, the UK's first Black-owned restaurant directory, said: "Purchasing from Black-owned restaurants also helps in creating jobs, supporting local communities, and working toward closing the racial wealth gap."

Black-owned businesses with fewer than five locations are eligible to apply to the Black Business Fund by 12 January.

Those who are successful will receive special mentoring from Enterprise Nation and Be Inclusive, which can advise these businesses on how to make best use of their grant, whether that means hiring more staff or increasing outreach to the local area.

Shortlisted entrants will also have the chance to share a video that outlines their business journey while informing viewers about how the grant can prompt positive change in the community.

Matthew Price, general manager at Uber Eats UK, said: "Especially given the impact of the pandemic, we are incredibly proud to support small Black-owned businesses. Through this fund we want to help the next generation of chefs and entrepreneurs thrive."