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Scaling-up Toolkit

Sourcing finance and funding is a vital part of any businesses’ growth journey; whether you’re a sole trader, SME or multinational company. This toolkit is designed to help you build the knowledge and confidence to apply for finance, identify where you can get finance and funding support in the region, and how you can raise other sources of income from grants, tax credits, loans etc.

Resources 

Useful downloads, guides, and other resources to help you with your scaling up.

Business plan

Need some guindance on writing your business plan? Download our free template below to get started.

Marketing plan

Introducing the scorecard approach to marketing.A quick and simple way of aligning marketing activity with your scaleup business goals. 

Staff development

This employee development plan is meant to help managers and employees communicate and track goals collaboratively.

30-60-90 day plan

t’s tough to focus on the future of your business when you’re wrapped up in the day-to-day running of it but by using our 30-60-90 plan, you can start turning your dreams into a reality. 


Business support schemes 

Find out more about the business support schemes that can help with business scaling on offer across the region.

ASCENT

Support for small businesses, serious about growth.
Business support Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

Kick Off in Business

Fully funded, short, online business start-up and self-employment courses
Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

PraeSeed

PraeSeed is helping to build the North’s next break out businesses with help from the British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Finance & funding Business support Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Leadership

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)

Defence and security advantage through innovation
Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Markets

Launch Academy Accelerator Programme

An award-winning offshore wind technology accelerator programme
Business support Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

Cyber Essentials

Protect your business against the most common cyber threats with Cyber Essentials.
Business support Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

The King's Trust Enterprise Programme

Join the 91,000+ young people we’ve helped to start a business.
Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

Port of Tyne Venture Connect

New for 2026, Venture Connect is opening the door to innovative businesses across the UK and internationally for the first time.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Becoming Net Zero Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland People and skills Operations
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