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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.

Innovation Centre #2

Cyber North’s accelerator programme offers six full day incubator style courses for early stage or pre-startup stage businesses that would like to develop a product or service in the cyber security sector.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland
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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
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SWEF Enterprise & Business Start Up Fund

Supporting young people in County Durham and Tees Valley grow their start ups
Finance & funding Grant Start-up County Durham Finance
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Solve for Tomorrow

Solve for Tomorrow is a tech-for-good competition open to all young people aged 16-25 across the UK and Ireland.
Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance
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The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2025.

Could your business idea change the world? Here’s your chance to prove it.
Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Leadership
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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
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Climate Growth Programme

A four month growth programme for climate tech startups dedicated to bridging the gap between climate innovation and industry.
Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Becoming Net Zero Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland
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North East Digital Technologies Launchpad

Helping innovative digital businesses across the North East to collaborate, commercialise and attract finance.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Markets
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