Funding & support resources

Local experts providing practical businesses advice

Innovate UK Business Growth is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth.

Whether you want to set up your own new business through franchising, or you want to grow an existing brand by franchising to others, the BFA is your trusted partner.

Invest North East England is the first point of contact for businesses looking to locate and invest in our region.

Whether you are a local, national or international employer, Sunderland University will work with you to promote your organisation and its opportunities to our tomorrow-making students and graduates.

Start-up Loans has partnered with The Open University to create a range of free courses for entrepreneurs.

The UK Export Academy (UKEA) from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is a free training programme for UK businesses of all sizes looking to grow their international sales.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme is designed to provide high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises across the country.

Creative Enterprise Scaling Up is a brand new 5-month business development programme, to support companies working in the screen sector.

SONIC Labs Technology Access Programme (TAP) is an 8-month structured programme developed by Digital Catapult in collaboration with Ofcom, running from June 2024 to January 2025.

Sunderland Innovate and Grow (SIG) brings together a range of complementary activities to catalyse and support innovation and business growth in the city.

The Esports Business Cluster (the first and only in the UK) aims to create and support businesses already actively working or seeking to work within the esports sector.

The Sunderland Skills and Inclusion Programme (SSIP) offers Sunderland businesses and employees the opportunity to access fully-funded courses spanning a range of subject specialisms and disciplines.

Access startup support and accelerate growth for your tech business

Driving opportunity and innovation for North East SMEs

Fully funded, short, online business start-up and self-employment courses