Funding & support resources

Lawyers For Your Business puts you in touch with a solicitor who can talk you through the legal issues you face and what you need to do next in a free 30-minute consultation.

Mentoring and support reimagined - for all small business

The heart of the engineering and manufacturing industries in the North East

Department for Business & Trade (DBT) is the UK Government Department that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas organisations seeking to locate in the UK.

Food and Drink North East (FADNE) is a community interest company (CIC) made up of local business owners and experts who understand the challenges the food, drink and hospitality sectors face and are working together to address them.

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority’s North East Ambition programme supports businesses and employers to work collaboratively with schools and colleges.

Sponsored by the Department for Business & Trade, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) defends UK economic interests against unfair international trade practices,

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

eBay for Change is a free programme for social enterprises with products to sell.

Able Futures is a strategic partnership created to deliver the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

New for 2026, Venture Connect is opening the door to innovative businesses across the UK and internationally for the first time.

Join the 91,000+ young people we’ve helped to start a business.

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

A programme of support to help you start your business in County Durham.

The Business Academy’s live events and on-demand videos connect you with expert support and help you master new skills for your business.

Innovate UK KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.