Funding & support resources

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.

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.

The Social Enterprise Boost Durham project can help you with free business support and funding to start you on your journey for change in your community.

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

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

Debt and equity finance for businesses based in or looking to relocate to County Durham.

Through the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, funded by the North East Combined Authority, Creative UK are investing £1.5m in loans in the North of Tyne’s cultural and creative industries.

Through the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, funded by the North East Combined Authority, Creative UK are investing £625k of equity finance in the North of Tyne’s cultural and creative industries.

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 NEL are offering Debt Finance from £100,000 to £2m

Eligible businesses in Northumberland can apply for a grant between £10,000 - £300,000.

Support for businesses looking to expand or establish new operations in the North East Combined Authority areas.

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

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.

This grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.