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.
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.
Government Start-up Loans
Find out more about the British Business Bank's start-up loans.
Grow with Google
Free, online courses from Google to help you grow your business.
Schemes
Find out more about the start-up schemes on offer across the region.
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
Future Leaders Programme
The Future Leaders programme, in partnership with Gateshead College, is designed to support professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Leadership
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
Advanced Innovation Challenges- Pilot
Supporting high-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovation with transformative potential especially in areas where there is extensive research but lack of commercial uptake.
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
InclusionWorks - Inclusivity training for North East employers
Build a more inclusive workplace Fully funded support for North East employers
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
People and skills
Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26
Women founders or co-founders with UK registered businesses at the late stage start-up phase can apply for a grant of up to £75,000 and bespoke business support, to further their ambitious growth plans.
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Finance
The North East Fund
Funding for companies based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham
Finance & funding
Equity
Grant
Loan
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Finance
North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster (NE RDSC)
Driving opportunity and innovation for North East SMEs
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland