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.
Growth Catalyst for Early-Stage Startups
Innovate UK’s Growth Catalyst for Early-Stage startups pilot supports innovators in 5 of the government’s frontier technologies.
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Finance
Jumpstart
A 6-week programme designed to help you create a marketing plan for your small business.
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Customers
North East Freelance Network
Connect, learn, and thrive. The membership connects you to freelancers who get it. No spam. No gimmicks. Just real growth.
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Amazon Sustainability Accelerator
Are you a sustainable start-up looking to maximise your impact?
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Becoming Net Zero
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Sunderland Software City Accelerate! Programme
Access startup support and accelerate growth for your tech business
Business support
Start-up
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Leadership
Markets
SWEF Business Grant
The SWEF Business Grant supports young people living in County Durham or Tees Valley with a business investment they can’t afford but will transform their business.
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
County Durham
Finance
The Immersive Arts Programme
A funding initiative aimed at supporting UK-based artists working with immersive technologies.
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Finance
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Finder
Search current funding opportunities from across UKRI, research councils and Innovate UK
Finance & funding
Grant
Loan
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Finance