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.
Business Academy
If you’re starting out, Business Academy’s live events and on-demand videos connect you with expert support and help you master new skills for 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.
Sovereign AI
Fund for early stage AI start ups. More information coming soon.
Finance & funding
Start-up
Business Academy
The Business Academy’s live events and on-demand videos connect you with expert support and help you master new skills for your business.
Business support
Start-up
Trading business
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
County Durham
Becoming Net Zero
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Customers
Finance
Leadership
Markets
People and skills
Products and services
Operations
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
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
The SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-up Grant
Start-up grants for young people and their emerging businesses
Finance & funding
Grant
Start-up
Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Northumberland
Finance
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
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