Finance and Funding Toolkit

Sourcing finance and funding is a vital part of any business's growth journey, whether you’re a sole trader, SME or large business. This toolkit is designed to help you build the knowledge and confidence to apply for finance, identify where you can get finance and funding support in the region, and how you can raise other sources of income from grants, tax credits, loans and other products.

Finance and Funding Toolkit

Useful resources  

Explore useful information about finance and funding below:

Find a grant

Explore grants available in our region.

Find a loan

Explore loans available in our region. 

Find equity investment

Explore equity investment available in our region.

New digital tool to support businesses with VAT registration

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched a digital tool to help non-VAT registered businesses estimate what registering for VAT may mean for them, and their profits.

The VAT Registration Estimator, which is available for free on gov.uk, has been designed to show businesses when their turnover could require them to register for VAT, and what the impact might be on profits.

A VAT-registered business must charge VAT on eligible sales and can usually reclaim it on eligible purchases. The VAT Registration Estimator lets businesses estimate what VAT might be owed or reclaimed when they register. It also links to further information about the registration process. 

News and insights

Finance and funding schemes 

Find out more about the finance and funding schemes on offer across the region.

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

PraeSeed

PraeSeed is helping to build the North’s next break out businesses with help from the British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Finance & funding Business support Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Leadership

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 Business Development Grant

Business development grants for young people and their businesses
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance

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

OneToWin

Where ten exceptional start-ups will pitch live at London Tech Week 2026.
Finance & funding Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

Next Wave

Where early-stage UK startups compete for their share of £2M. Brought to you by Founders Forum Group and Haatch.
Finance & funding Grant Business support Start-up Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

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

Finance and funding events

Discover finance and funding events available throughout the region.