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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.

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.

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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.

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Government Start-up Loans

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

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Grow with Google

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

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Start-up insights

Schemes

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

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

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CVC DIF Accelerator Challenge

Scale your impact venture with expert mentorship and up to £50,000 in funding.

Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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