Funding & support resources

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.

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

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

Funding for companies based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham

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.

Defence and security advantage through innovation

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

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.

Start-up grants for young people and their emerging businesses

Business development grants for young people and their businesses

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

Flexible Social Finance has been designed with the social sector, for the social sector.

Shaping the skills and knowledge of our creative industries

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

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