Funding & support resources

UK's leading advanced digital technology innovation centre, driving early adoption, making UK businesses more competitive and productive.

The North East’s largest and most influential business membership network.

Business development experts for the energy sector. NOF work on behalf of their members and their network of partners to put companies of all sizes in touch with the best and most innovative supply chain businesses in the UK.

Join Small Business Britain and Starling for a transformative six-week online series designed to equip women with the skills, mindset, and momentum to grow their businesses.

Local experts providing practical businesses advice

Drive your innovation forward. Work with CPI to defer capital and workforce investments until your product or process is proven at scale.

Digital Pathfinders helps SMEs, charities and social enterprises across the North East become more successful and resilient by adopting digital technology.

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

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

Help to Grow: Management Essentials is a free, online course that explains the essential business concepts required for growth.

Open to businesses and social enterprises based in Gateshead, Pathways to Innovation looks to help enterprises overcome the barriers preventing them from accessing innovation and growth, both individually and as a region.

EASI (Engineering and Analysis Supply Initiative) is the latest programme launched through ORE Catapult’s successful partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority under the TIGGOR 2 programme.

Gateshead BIG is a brand new programme, delivered exclusively by Smarta, for established companies based in Gateshead that have ambitions to scale-up their operations.

Access expertise and knowledge for your business from four of the region’s world-class universities, through Arrow.

Gateshead's rural businesses can now access free, specialist business support through the North East Rural Growth Programme - a new three‑year initiative running from April 2026 to March 2029.

Alongside the Durham Business Growth programme, eligible businesses in rural County Durham can access additional support through the North East Rural Growth Programme, funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.