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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.

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.

Financial checks that every business should carry out when costs are rising

NEL Fund Managers has been established in the North East for 33 years and makes investments from £10,000 to half a million pounds in local businesses that have plans for growth. CEO, Jonathan Luke, outlines some of the actions that businesses can take to help mitigate the impact of the current cost of living crisis.

For many businesses, the effects of Brexit, COVID, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have created a perfect storm, with rising costs of borrowing, supply chain issues and people and skills shortages.

It’s making it more difficult for many businesses to plan and continue with their growth plans. But there are things that businesses can do to put themselves in as strong a position as possible.

News and 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

Finance and funding schemes 

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

NATO DIANA Challenges

NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has launched five 2024 challenges to continue to attract the best and brightest innovators across the Alliance in support of its mission to build a peaceful and more resilient future.
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Markets

Innovation in Support of Operations

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new themed competition called Innovation in Support of Operations. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition seeks fast paced scalable proposals across four key challenge areas.
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Markets

Xero Beautiful Business Fund

A chance to win a better future for your small business.
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance

Early Connect

The Early Connect Employer Service is your one-stop-shop for expert apprenticeship guidance and advice.
Finance & funding Business support Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Leadership People and skills

Global Innovation Challenge 2024

Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge is open to young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs (18 - 30 years) with BIG ideas to take on the world's most urgent social and environmental issues.
Finance & funding Business support Start-up Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Finance

North of Tyne Business Support Fund

A fund designed to drive economic growth by helping businesses to access external expertise to implement business growth and improvement plans.
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside Northumberland Finance Operations

Energy Resilience Fund

The Energy Resilience Fund is an initiative assisting community businesses in retrofitting their buildings with energy-saving measures.
Finance & funding Grant Trading business Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Becoming Net Zero Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland

Social Enterprise Boost Durham

The Social Enterprise Boost Durham project can help you with free business support and funding to start you on your journey for change in your community.
Finance & funding Business support Start-up Trading business County Durham Finance People and skills