Ecommpay Partners with Grow London Local to Boost SME Financial Inclusion

Payments platform Ecommpay has partnered with Grow London Local, the Mayor of London’s flagship support programme, to provide small businesses with critical financial insights and infrastructure. This collaboration aims to address financial vulnerability among London’s one million SMEs by improving access to digital payment tools and expert guidance through consultations and events.

What was announced

Ecommpay is becoming a hands-on resource for London’s small business community through its integration into the Grow London Local ecosystem. This partnership leverages the Grow London Local website, provider directory, and various in-person events and consultations to offer practical guidance on payment strategies. The initiative aligns with the UK Government’s Small Business Plan from August 2025, which prioritised digital skills, and The Mayor’s London Growth Plan (2025), which identifies payment access as a vital enabler for inclusive growth.

London currently hosts over one million SMEs, yet one in four faces financial vulnerability. To combat this, Ecommpay is offering its self-serve payments platform specifically designed for UK-registered small businesses selling online. The platform allows for rapid onboarding and provides access to the Ecommpay Hosted Payment Page with transparent transaction rates and no volume thresholds. Beyond traditional web checkouts, the partnership highlights tools such as payment links and e-invoicing. These features enable micro-businesses to accept card payments without a dedicated website or physical till, while a virtual payment terminal facilitates phone and mail order transactions. This suite of enterprise-grade tools is intended to remove the high costs and complexity typically associated with sophisticated payment infrastructure.

The companies involved

Ecommpay is a London-headquartered global payments platform that positions itself as an expert in small business payments. The company operates as an inclusive ecosystem, focusing on reducing the friction associated with international and local transactions. In the wider fintech market, Ecommpay has established a significant presence by offering a range of solutions that include merchant acquiring, card issuing, and alternative payment methods. Its focus on the UK SME sector is bolstered by its self-serve technology, which aims to democratise access to the same financial tools used by larger enterprises.

Grow London Local serves as the Mayor of London’s primary support vehicle for the city’s diverse business community. The organisation is dedicated to inclusive entrepreneurship, with a mandate to support businesses from underrepresented communities. Its strategic priorities include strengthening financial literacy and improving access to funding, a mission recently expanded by the launch of its Money Hub in April 2026. By acting as a central directory and support network, Grow London Local connects micro and small businesses with the resources necessary to navigate the complexities of the London economy.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has extensively tracked Ecommpay’s expansion and technological developments. Recently, the platform moved to enhance merchant flexibility by announcing that Ecommpay Integrates Klarna to Boost Merchant Checkout Conversion and Flexibility. The company has also focused on the role of data in the sector, as seen when Ecommpay Unlocks Data Goldmine for Merchants with AI-Driven Payment Analytics.

Beyond the UK, the provider has sought growth in emerging markets, notably when Ecommpay Expands into Vietnam with VietQR Integration for Global Merchants. Additionally, the firm’s internal culture was recognised when Ecommpay Secures Leading Employer for Training Title at 2026 Women in Tech Awards.

What this means

This partnership highlights a growing trend where fintechs are stepping into the void left by traditional banks, which often overlook micro-businesses due to low transaction volumes. By removing volume thresholds and offering virtual terminals, Ecommpay is directly challenging legacy providers who maintain high barriers to entry. For the wider industry, this move puts pressure on other payment service providers to simplify their onboarding and pricing structures if they wish to remain competitive in the SME space. It also raises questions about whether public-private partnerships can effectively bridge the financial literacy gap that continues to hinder small business growth across the UK.