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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.

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 the North East's digital cluster to connect, collaborate and grow.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership Markets
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Green Seed Fund

Cranfield University Green Seed Fund gives entrepreneurs and start-ups access to capital, alongside advice and education from the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship to help scale their businesses.
Finance & funding Grant Loan Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Becoming Net Zero Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland
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Booster Fund

The Community Shares Booster Fund is a funding scheme to support community share offers.
Finance & funding Grant Loan Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance
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Destination North East England

Destination North East England has a collective ambition to double the size of our region's economy in ten years time.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Markets
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Enterprising North

Support designed to help individuals looking to start their own business or in the early stage of trading.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Gateshead North Tyneside Northumberland People and skills
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Expo Sunderland

Expo Sunderland will explore the future of homes, living and cities in a series of events launching at scale in 2025 with pilot attractions and taster events taking place in 2024.
Business support Start-up Trading business Sunderland Leadership Products and services
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See all schemes