NNBN

What NNBN does

NNBN (NNBN Ltd) is a Northampton, UK-based membership organization founded in 2022 by Simon Cox, serving small and medium-sized businesses, charities, and other organizations across Northamptonshire. The company operates a paid membership model with a Basic tier at £20 per month and a Premium tier at £30 per month that adds health benefits through partners Heka and Hospital Saturday Fund. Members gain access to a directory listing, 4,000+ national brand discounts, and an aggregated audience of 22,500+ social media followers with email open rates reported at 60%.

The organization's core product surface includes the directory and member benefits, the annual NNBN Awards (which drew 250+ entries for its 2025 edition), the NN Start Up Day event, and the NN Business News digital magazine. NNBN has formalized partnerships with West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, lending institutional reach into the regional SMB support ecosystem. The platform is built on standard WordPress-based membership infrastructure rather than proprietary technology, and there is no indication of AI/ML capabilities embedded in the product.

Commercially, NNBN is bootstrapped with no disclosed funding rounds, no revenue figures, and a headcount of approximately 13 employees. Notable members or partners include Hilton, Royal & Derngate, Hanwood Park, and Wilson Browne, though these function primarily as brand anchors rather than revenue drivers. The business model is fundamentally a high-volume, low-ARPU subscription community play, with secondary monetization through awards sponsorships, event revenue, and potential magazine advertising. Geographic concentration in a single English county is both the source of community density and a structural ceiling on addressable market.

Name

NNBN

Legal name

NNBN Ltd

Website

https://nnbn.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NNBN is a Northampton, UK-based paid membership organization founded in 2022 that connects Northamptonshire small businesses, charities, and organizations through a directory, national brand discounts, the NNBN Awards, and events such as NN Start Up Day and NN Business News.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: NNBN generates revenue primarily through monthly membership subscriptions. It offers Basic membership at £20/month and Premium membership at £30/month. Both are billed monthly with the option to cancel at any time, and annual invoice payment is available for annual subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NNBN is a membership organisation providing business support, mentoring, advertising and promotion, networking and connections, benefits and perks, workshops, and the annual NNBN Awards for businesses, charities and organisations across Northamptonshire. Members subscribe via monthly Basic (£20/month) or Premium (£30/month) tiers, gaining access to events, the NNBN Digital magazine, the member directory, national brand discounts, and (Premium only) 24/7 GP and wellbeing benefits. The organisation is owned and run by Simon Cox, who provides one-to-one business support included in every membership.

Product overview

NNBN is a membership organisation offering a tiered membership model comprising Basic (£20/month) and Premium (£30/month) packages. The core offering includes business networking events, one-to-one mentoring, workshops, and access to the NNBN Awards. Premium members receive enhanced health benefits including 24/7 GP access and mental health support. All members gain access to national brand discounts and cashback via a reloadable card system, the quarterly NNBN Digital magazine distributed to 22,500+ recipients, and advertising opportunities in the publication. The organisation also runs annual events including the NNBN Business Awards, NN Start Up Day, and supports Small Business Saturday initiatives across Northamptonshire.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NNBN Basic Membership Entry-level monthly membership at £20/month providing business directory listing, monthly networking meetings (typically twice per month), one-to-one business support from Simon Cox, monthly newsletter and weekly news updates, social media promotion, digital magazine access, and member discounts on NNBN events. Designed for small businesses, charities and organisations in Northamptonshire seeking affordable networking and visibility.
• NNBN Premium Membership Enhanced monthly membership at £30/month including all Basic benefits plus access to 24/7 Online GP for the member and immediate family, mental health and emotional support (6 structured telephone sessions per issue, unlimited issues), money advice and free credit reports, debt help, mental health resilience books, virtual gym classes, virtual and physical physio, first aid training, discounted eye care, and a full-page advert and editorial/article in NNBN Digital magazine.
• NNBN Digital Magazine Quarterly digital publication featuring business news, member spotlights, and member advertising opportunities, distributed to over 22,500 local people and businesses in Northamptonshire. Free to read for everyone; members receive featured adverts and editorial placements.
• NNBN Awards Annual business awards ceremony recognising innovative, hardworking and enterprising businesses, charities, and organisations across Northamptonshire. Categories include Business of the Year, Start Up Business of the Year, Tourism Award, Charity of the Year, Micro Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Food & Drink Business of the Year, Health & Wellbeing Award, and more. Provides significant PR and marketing opportunities for finalists and winners.
• NN Start Up Day Annual celebration of entrepreneurship in Northamptonshire featuring startup stories, tips, and knowledge sharing from small business owners across the county. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners.
• One to One Business Support One-to-one business mentoring from NNBN director Simon Cox, offering personalised guidance, mentorship, and connections to local contacts, authorities, MPs, and business support services. Included in every NNBN membership at no additional cost.
• NNBN Networking Events and Workshops Monthly face-to-face and online networking meetings held around Northamptonshire, plus workshops covering topics such as video marketing, branding, ethical selling, trading with local councils, and entering business awards. Includes speed networking, water networking, hot desking days, and summer socials held at venues across the county and online.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average member saves over £800 a year on discounts and cashback
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Northamptonshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Northamptonshire Council is listed as a supporter of NNBN. The council supports the NNBN Awards through sponsorship of the West Northamptonshire Enterprise Award category and the Innovative Enterprise Award. The council also provides business support resources featured on NNBN's resources page.
• North Northamptonshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Northamptonshire Council is listed as a supporter of NNBN and is the sponsor of the North Northamptonshire Enterprise Award category. The council also provides business support programmes (NN Business Support) and resources listed on NNBN's resources page.
• Northamptonshire Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce is listed as a supporter of NNBN and is a regular sponsor of NNBN Awards categories. The Chamber has jointly organised speed networking events with NNBN. It is featured in the resources section as a key business support organisation.
• Business & IP Centre NorthamptonshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness & IP Centre Northamptonshire is listed as a supporter of NNBN and featured in the resources section as a free business support organisation inspiring entrepreneurs and helping businesses grow.
• John Griff (Event Host)minorOthersJohn Griff is the host of the NNBN Awards ceremony. He is a long-term broadcaster and columnist, with connections across Northamptonshire's media and business community. He provides MC services for the annual awards event.
• Wilson Browne SolicitorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWilson Browne Solicitors is a headline sponsor of the NNBN Awards and has sponsored specific award categories including the Spotlight Award.
• Square Feet Co WorkingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSquare Feet Co Working is a headline sponsor of the NNBN Awards and has also sponsored specific award categories.
• Poppy Eco HubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPoppy Eco Hub is a headline sponsor of the NNBN Awards.
• West Northamptonshire Council (Awards Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWest Northamptonshire Council is a headline sponsor of the NNBN Awards and sponsor of the West Northamptonshire Enterprise Award.
• Tresham College (Bedford College Group)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTresham College, part of The Bedford College Group, is the sponsor of the North Northamptonshire Enterprise Award.
• Chester House EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChester House Estate is the sponsor of the Northamptonshire Tourism Award and serves as a venue for NNBN networking events and summer socials.
• Web AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeb Alliance is the sponsor of The Green Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Hanwood ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHanwood Park is the sponsor of the Health & Wellbeing Award at the NNBN Awards.
• voco by IHG RockinghamminorGTM or Marketing Partnervoco By IHG Rockingham is the sponsor of the Food & Drink Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• A2B Exterior CleaningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA2B Exterior Cleaning is the sponsor of the Hair & Beauty Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• MPP DigitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMPP Digital is the sponsor of the Charity of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Business TimesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness Times is the sponsor of the Business Person of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Freelance Credit ControlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFreelance Credit Control is the sponsor of the Start Up Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• ENA HRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerENA HR is the sponsor of the Micro Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Umbrella HRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUmbrella HR is the sponsor of the Small Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Business DoctorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness Doctors is the sponsor of the Business of the Year Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Wyke FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWyke Financial is the sponsor of the Special Recognition Award at the NNBN Awards.
• Small Business Saturday UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNNBN works with Small Business Saturday UK, a grassroots, non-commercial campaign highlighting small business success and encouraging consumers to shop local. NNBN organises activities in Northamptonshire in support of the annual campaign.
• Digital NorthantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Northants is a collaboration between local digital businesses, the University of Northampton and local councils designed to support digital innovation in Northamptonshire. It is listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Discover NorthamptonshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscover Northamptonshire is a sustainable and engaging culture, tourism and heritage organisation. It is listed in NNBN's resources section and is the sponsor of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Network.
• Northamptonshire Tourism Business NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA growing network of tourism and hospitality businesses in Northamptonshire, listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Silverstone Technology ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilverstone Technology Cluster (STC) helps companies in and around Silverstone make money and grow. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Northampton ForwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthampton Forward is a public and private sector partnership established to co-ordinate and drive forward regeneration and economic growth within Northampton. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Brackmills Industrial EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrackmills Industrial Estate is the premier business and logistics park in the UK and a Business Improvement District (BID). Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Northampton Town Centre BIDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthampton Town Centre BID was renewed in March 2021 for a further five years. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Armed Forces Covenant NorthamptonshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Northamptonshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership provides support to members of the Armed Forces Community across the county. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Northants B Corp CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA growing community of B Corp Certified businesses and B Corp Specialists with a sole focus to grow the B Corp movement within Northamptonshire. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Enterprise NationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnterprise Nation exists to shortcut the route to trusted business support for small businesses. Listed in NNBN's resources section.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSB offers members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Listed in NNBN's resources section.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Nation: UK membership and community platform for small businesses and startups offering trusted support, events and partner discounts; overlaps with NNBN's startup support, workshops and discount benefits, with broader national reach.
• British Chambers of Commerce: Umbrella body for the UK's regional Chambers of Commerce, providing accreditation, policy voice and member services; comparable at the category level to NNBN's chamber-style networking and policy/advocacy positioning for local SMBs.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): UK's leading membership organisation for small businesses, offering advice, financial services, networking and a voice in government. Direct overlap with NNBN's SMB membership, networking and benefits model, but operates nationally rather than hyper-locally.

Direct peers

• BNI (Business Network International): Global referral-networking membership organisation running structured weekly chapter meetings for SMBs; directly comparable to NNBN's recurring face-to-face networking meetings and directory/member-referral motion.
• 4N Business Network: UK-based business networking membership with in-person meetings and member referrals across regional groups; directly comparable to NNBN's monthly networking meetings and SMB-focused membership model.
• Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce: Local Chamber serving Northamptonshire businesses with networking, representation and member benefits; already a strategic partner/sponsor of NNBN, and the most direct comparable operating in the same county with a similar SMB membership model.

Emerging players

• Network My Club: UK sports-sector business networking membership with monthly meetings and member benefits; relevant adjacent peer given its event-led, community-led GTM motion similar to NNBN's networking events and perks bundle.

Others

• Yell Business: UK directory and SMB services platform from Yell offering listings, leads and digital tools to local businesses; adjacent to NNBN's member directory and advertising offering, providing an alternative channel for SMB visibility.

Regional players

• MK Business Network: Local business networking and support community for Milton Keynes-area SMBs (the NNBN charity member C2C Social Action spans NN and MK); directly comparable regional SMB networking model but serving a neighbouring geography.
• Leicester & Leicestershire Business Network: Regional business networking group operating regular events and member support in the East Midlands adjacent to Northamptonshire; comparable as a regional SMB networking community but not directly competing in NNBN's county.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nnbnnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/NNBNLtd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nnbnltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/nnbnltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NNBN