Funding & support resources

Funded by North East Screen Industries Partnership, North East Screen is a regional screen agency for filmmakers, producers and creative professionals looking to start and grow their careers in the industry.

The Creative Enterprise Business Builder is a grant initiative designed to support companies who work in moving image for storytelling, spanning film television, games, animation and immersive industries.

Enterprising Sunderland is a project designed to unlock the potential of future entrepreneurs within our communities and to support businesses from all sectors to grow and innovate.

Search current funding opportunities from across UKRI, research councils and Innovate UK

CITB offer support to industry through their grants and funds.

Wear Together provides social entrepreneurs in Sunderland with access to business support and grants assisting them with start, development, and growth of social businesses.

Northern Accelerator is an exciting collaboration between the North East’s universities, creating real-world impact from world-leading research, commercialising innovation and boosting the region’s economy.

North East Enterprise Agency is a unique collaboration of multi-award winning enterprise agencies supporting businesses across the North East of England.

Made Smarter Adoption North East helps manufacturers in the region increase profits, improve efficiency and grow by investing in smart technology.

The Early Connect Employer Service is your one-stop-shop for expert apprenticeship guidance and advice.

The Key Fund invests in incorporated Community and Social Enterprises that have traditionally been excluded and turned down by mainstream lenders; particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

As part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II NEL are offering Smaller Loans from £25,000 to £100,000

As part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Maven are offering Equity finance up to £5 million for ambitious businesses located across the North East of England.

UK registered micro and small businesses can apply for a share of up to £500,000 to develop adoptable and investable innovations within communication networks. This funding is from the Telecoms Technology Missions Fund programme.

The Energy Resilience Fund is an initiative assisting community businesses in retrofitting their buildings with energy-saving measures.

Cranfield University Green Seed Fund gives entrepreneurs and start-ups access to capital, alongside advice and education from the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship to help scale their businesses.