Funding & support resources

The new Start-up Support Programme is available to new retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across County Durham

Government support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints.

A fund designed to drive economic growth by helping businesses to access external expertise to implement business growth and improvement plans.

£50k sponsorship from NatWest to support ideas and early-stage businesses founded by women.

Women founders or co-founders with UK registered businesses at the late stage start-up phase can apply for a grant of up to £75,000 and bespoke business support, to further their ambitious growth plans.

Support for UK SMEs to boost their export potential

The Flexible Finance Fund by the Social Investment Business, The Ubele Initiative, and Create Equity offers a blend of grants and loans to Black and Racially Minoritised-led charities and social enterprises in England.

The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund supports businesses investing in life sciences manufacturing projects in the UK.

Franchise Angels is an investment initiative to assist the rapid growth of proven businesses via franchising.

A funding initiative aimed at supporting UK-based artists working with immersive technologies.

The SWEF Business Grant supports young people living in County Durham or Tees Valley with a business investment they can’t afford but will transform their business.

Shaping the skills and knowledge of our creative industries

QEST offers three grants to support makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK.

Supporting high-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovation with transformative potential especially in areas where there is extensive research but lack of commercial uptake.