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Start-up Toolkit

If you have a great business idea and you’re ready to start your own company, this toolkit will provide all information, help and support you need to get started.

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Need a hand to get started?

Don’t know where to start? Check out these resources that are designed for people with a great idea that need a bit of support to make it reality.

Free start-up guides

These guides from the British Business Bank are full of practical tips and examples- from advice on conducting market research, to analysing your strengths and weaknesses, to finding more customers online.

Download the guides

Forbes Advisor start-up resources

The Forbes Advisor Start-up resources walk you through ten crucial steps of the start-up process, from defining your initial idea to registering, launching and growing your business.

Find out more

Government Start-up Loans

Find out more about the British Business Bank's start-up loans.

Find out more

Google Digital Garage

Free, online courses from Google to help you grow your business. 

Take a look

Start-up insights

Be inspired by more start-up stories

Talk to one of our team who will help you connect to the support you need to grow and develop your business.

if your local authority isn't listed above, you can view details of how to get in touch with your local Growth Hub

Schemes

Find out more about the start-up schemes on offer across the region.

Enterprising North

Support designed to help individuals looking to start their own business or in the early stage of trading.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Gateshead North Tyneside Northumberland People and skills
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Upscale

Accelerating the growth of the UK’s most promising companies by equipping them with the knowledge, connections, and tools needed to scale successfully.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Markets
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Creo

The UK’s first springboard programme for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership People and skills
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Expo Sunderland

Expo Sunderland will explore the future of homes, living and cities in a series of events launching at scale in 2025 with pilot attractions and taster events taking place in 2024.
Business support Start-up Trading business Sunderland Leadership Products and services
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Supply Chain Sunderland

The Supply Chain Sunderland project will strengthen Sunderland's local entrepreneurial ecosystem by improving business resilience and growth, boosting survival rates, driving innovation, and enhancing market readiness for new supply chain opportunities.
Business support Start-up Trading business Sunderland Markets
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Global Innovation Challenge 2024

Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge is open to young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs (18 - 30 years) with BIG ideas to take on the world's most urgent social and environmental issues.
Finance & funding Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Finance
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Social Enterprise Boost Durham

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.
Finance & funding Business support Start-up Trading business County Durham Finance People and skills
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Flexible Social Finance

Flexible Social Finance has been designed with the social sector, for the social sector.
Finance & funding Loan Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside Northumberland Finance
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