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Local Landscape

Business support in the North East

As of 1 November 2026, 130 support programmes are open to businesses in the North East; 19 of them are only for the North East. Another 100 are only for part of the North East. Updated 1 Nov 2026.

For all of the North East 19 schemes

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

Open all yearSupport programme

5G Immersive Lab

Digital Catapult

Access to a 5G Immersive Lab with co-working space, workshops and expert-led demonstrations to help businesses develop expertise in 5G and immersive technology.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

ASCENT

Entrepreneurs' Forum

Mentoring and peer learning for ambitious business founders in the North East with turnover between £100k and £250k, combining 1-to-1 mentoring with access to experienced entrepreneurs.

Amount
£295 to £445
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

FIRST North East

A learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations.

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

Food and Drink North East

Food and Drink North East

Food and Drink North East's community for the region's food, drink and hospitality sector. Paid membership is launching soon; for now anyone can sign up free as a Community subscriber for a monthly newsletter of sector news, business support opportunities and events, and selected FADNE webinars, workshops and showcases.

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

Free one-to-one business advice

North East BIC

Free one-to-one business advice from expert advisers for people starting a business, according to the North East BIC homepage. Also offers signposting and advice for eligible businesses across the region.

Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Going Green Together

Going Green Together, Vonne

Free support for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the North East to become more environmentally sustainable, led by VONNE: an online Sustainability Pathway, one-to-one support, webinars, peer support and subsidised accreditation.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

Grow Your Business Overseas

Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

Free support from the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) North East team to help businesses trade and grow overseas, including tailored market information, market visits and advice from International Trade Advisers.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearTool or resource

Locate North East England

Invest North East England

A free search facility for commercial land and property in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham, focused on key sites of 10,000 to 50,000 square feet. Provided with a free package of support from Invest North East England.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Open all yearMembership or network

Make UK

Make UK

Membership organisation for British manufacturers that gives members networking events, insight, advice and access to government. Several membership options are listed, including Make UK Membership, Make UK Defence Membership, UK Steel Membership and Corporate Membership.

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

North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC)

North East BIC

Free one-to-one business advice from the North East BIC's expert advisers for people starting a business.

Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearSupport programme

SME Information Hub - Durham University

Durham University

Information and guidance from Durham University's Career Service on recruiting and engaging with students and graduates.

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

The Entrepreneurs' Forum

Entrepreneurs' Forum

A membership network where owner-managers of North East businesses meet at events and through peer-to-peer mentoring to share experience and grow faster.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

All 19 in the funding list

Shared with neighbouring areas 1 scheme

Support programmes for the North East and other areas named with it.

Open all yearSupport programme

Cyber Resilience Centre for the North East

Cyber Resilience Centre for the North East

Police-led centre that helps small and medium-sized businesses, charities and public sector organisations in North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber improve their cyber security, with fully funded training and Cyber PATH services for subscribers.

Amount
Free membership; fully funded Security Awareness Training and Cyber PATH services for subscribers
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East England, Yorkshire and the HumberLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10

For one part of the North East 100 schemes

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

North East Combined Authority (93)

All 93 in the funding list

Tees Valley (7)

Across the North 2 schemes

For the whole North of England, the North East included. The soonest to close first.

National schemes 108 schemes

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

All 130 in the funding list

Business support elsewhere in the North