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Local Landscape

Business support in the North East Combined Authority area

As of 1 November 2026, 179 support programmes are open to businesses in the North East Combined Authority area; 49 of them are only for the North East Combined Authority area. Another 44 are only for part of the North East Combined Authority area. Updated 1 Nov 2026.

For all of the North East Combined Authority area 49 schemes

Support programmes open to businesses anywhere in the North East Combined Authority area, and only there.

Open all yearSupport programme

Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF)

Advanced Manufacturing Forum

A membership network that connects manufacturers and engineers, offering events, peer networking, specialist advice, marketing promotion and introductions to suppliers. Open to all North East of England manufacturing and engineering organisations.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Arrow – Innovation Support for North East Businesses

Arrow, Arrow Innovation

Access to expertise and facilities from four universities for innovation projects including research and development, proof of concept, and data science support.

Amount
Arrow short innovation projects are fully-funded
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearMembership or network

Bionow

Bionow

Membership and business support for companies in the biomedical and life sciences sector, including accelerator programmes, networking events and knowledge sharing.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Certification – Export Documents

North East Growth Hub, North East Chamber of Commerce

Export documentation service from the North East England Chamber of Commerce, including Certificates of Origin, Movement Certificates (EUR1), Letters of Credit, Carnets, and legalisation of documents. Aimed at businesses exporting from the UK.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearMembership or network

Constructing Excellence

Constructing Excellence in the North East, Constructing Excellence

A club membership for construction, housing and regeneration firms, giving access to a local network for knowledge sharing, CPD-certified and networking events, and tender alerts. Provided by Constructing Excellence in the North East.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Digital Boost

Digital Boost

Free small business support in which volunteer mentors give personalised 1:1 mentoring, plus virtual events and peer learning programmes. Aimed at small businesses that are already trading.

Amount
Free. "You won't pay a penny for the services."
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Digital Pathfinders

Sunderland Software City, Digital Pathfinders

Digital Pathfinders helps SMEs, charities and social enterprises across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland adopt digital technology.

Amount
Fully funded (no amount stated)
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearMembership or network

Dynamo North East

Dynamo North East

A membership organisation for the North East tech sector, bringing together tech businesses, educators, supporters and government, with access to events, expert insights and a collaborative community.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Engaging with education and early career entry pathways for accessing your future talent

North East Ambition, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

A North East Ambition programme that helps businesses and employers work with schools and colleges, and recruit young people through apprenticeships, T Level placements and Higher Technical Qualifications. Includes employer partners, work experience, school governance and business growth support.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearMembership or network

Engineering and Manufacturing Network

Engineering and Manufacturing Network

A network for engineering and manufacturing businesses in the North East, offering peer networking, sector advice, industry events and supply chain access. It represents around 300 businesses.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Enterprise & Innovation, University of Sunderland

University of Sunderland

Access to business advice, short courses, apprenticeships, start-up support, managed offices, research services and funding and collaboration opportunities from the University of Sunderland. Aimed at organisations working with the university.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Experts in Residence

Business & IP Centre North East

Free online meetings with local experts on business topics such as finance and funding, marketing, intellectual property and law. Each business can have one meeting per expert, lasting 30 minutes to an hour.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 7 out of 10

All 49 in the funding list

For one part of the North East Combined Authority area 44 schemes

Support programmes for a single council area in the North East Combined Authority area, under the part each one is for.

County Durham (4)

Gateshead (3)

Newcastle upon Tyne (17)

All 17 in the funding list

North Tyneside (4)

Northumberland (7)

South Tyneside (1)

Sunderland (8)

Across North East England or the whole North 22 schemes

For the whole region or the North, the North East Combined Authority area included. The soonest to close first.

All 179 in the funding list

National schemes 108 schemes

Open to businesses across England or the UK, including the North East Combined Authority area. The soonest to close first.

All 179 in the funding list

Business support elsewhere in the North