Scheme details
Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland
Categories: Business support
Business stage: Start-up, Trading business
Contact email: innovation.hub@portoftyne.co.uk
Page last updated: 07 January 2026
Programme Overview
Venture Connect is designed to support businesses in North East England as well as to attract businesses into the region stimulating inward investment and strengthening our place as a hub for smart, sustainable maritime innovation.
The programme, which launched in 2024 at the National 2050 Innovation Hub has supported 23 businesses over the last two years, helping ambitious companies develop, test and scale solutions that can transform the future of ports, shipping, logistics and clean energy.
The refreshed accelerator is widening to include:
- Safety technology
- Training and skills innovation
- Cyber security and resilience
- AI, digital and automation technologies
- Quantum and advanced technologies
- Maritime and logistics innovation.
Venture Connect gives founders deep insight into maritime market opportunities, customer demand, routes to investment and sustainable business model development. Participants also benefit from investor access, mentoring, sector deep-dives and a two-day residential investor preparation bootcamp.
Apply Now
If you think Venture Connect is something your organisation would like to get involved with, click here to apply now.
Applications will be collected and assessed. Dates for the programme will be announced in due course.
Alternatively, if you have any further questions or think your services would be useful to support the content in this programme, do not hesitate to get in touch. Please email innovation.hub@portoftyne.co.uk and the team will get back to you promptly.