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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.

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

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.

SWEF Enterprise & Business Fund

Supporting young people in County Durham and Tees Valley grow their businesses
Finance & funding Grant Trading business County Durham Finance

SWEF Enterprise & Business Start Up Fund

Supporting young people in County Durham and Tees Valley grow their start ups
Finance & funding Grant Start-up County Durham Finance

The Immersive Arts Programme

A funding initiative aimed at supporting UK-based artists working with immersive technologies.
Finance & funding Grant Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Finance

Franchise Angels

Franchise Angels is an investment initiative to assist the rapid growth of proven businesses via franchising.
Finance & funding Grant Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland County Durham Gateshead South Tyneside North Tyneside Northumberland Finance

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

Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF)

The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund supports businesses investing in life sciences manufacturing projects in the UK.
Finance & funding Grant 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

Finance and funding events

Discover finance and funding events available throughout the region.

UMi Makes it Easy... to Get Funding – Webinar Series

Navigating the world of grants, finance and investment can be complex and overwhelming. With many ways to finance your business from grant funding to equity ...
  • Online
  • Free
  • Finance & funding

Expo Sunderland Innovation Skills Accelerator

Sunderland businesses and voluntary sector organisations are invited to join this free Expo Sunderland event, in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork, ...
  • Sunderland City Hall
  • Free
  • Finance & funding, Start-up

Access to Investment Event – NorthStar & Innovation SuperNetwork

An exclusive collaborative event hosted by Northstar Ventures & Innovation SuperNetwork, in collaboration with the Expo Sunderland Innovation Challenge. Thi...
  • North East BIC
  • Free
  • Finance & funding