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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.

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.

Google Digital Garage

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

Start-up insights

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 Space Agency Fusion programme

The UK Space Agency Fusion programme accelerates early-stage space industry startups to raise funding from angels and stage-appropriate funds.
Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance

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

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

North East Shared Success Fund

Unlocking Potential for Creative Businesses in the North East
Finance & funding Loan Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside Northumberland Finance

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

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

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

Supply Chain Sunderland

The Supply Chain Sunderland project will strengthen Sunderland's local entrepreneurial ecosystem by improving business resilience and growth, boosting survival rates, driving innovation, and enhancing market readiness for new supply chain opportunities.
Business support Start-up Trading business Sunderland Markets