Open to businesses in Sunderland, including schemes for the wider region and the whole country.
Sunderland's page: people to ring, events nearby and what is only for Sunderland
University of Sunderland
Serviced office and meeting space in Sunderland City Centre for innovation-led businesses, start-ups and SMEs, run by the University of Sunderland's Centre for Enterprise and Innovation.
North East BIC
Flexible office, coworking, meeting room, lab and industrial workspace for SMEs from £49 per week.
Northumberland National Park Authority
Expert guidance and practical support for farmers and land-based businesses across Northumberland and the North East Region to assist growth, resilience, and diversification opportunities.
Sunderland Software City, Barclays Eagle Labs, North East Growth Hub
Startup support and accelerated growth for tech businesses, run by Sunderland Software City.
Community Foundation North East
Grants of up to £2,000 for individuals aged 18-30 in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland with businesses trading for less than two and a half years and turning over more than £500 per month.
Community Foundation North East
Grants of up to £500 for individuals aged 18-30 in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland starting a business with pre-revenue or less than £500 monthly turnover, trading less than two years.
North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, North East Growth Hub
Capital grants to help businesses in the North East automotive and EV supply chain invest in productivity, innovation and the transition to electrification. Backed by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
North East BIC
Support for future entrepreneurs and businesses in all sectors to grow and innovate, including free advice, workshops, events and innovation grants.
North East BIC
Business support and grants for social entrepreneurs in Sunderland to start, develop and grow social businesses.
Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and York Universities, Northern Accelerator, North East Growth Hub
Support for academics and business leaders to create spin-out businesses from university research, including training, funding, investment and business growth support.
University of Sunderland
A programme bringing together complementary activities to support innovation and business growth in Sunderland, including technology promotion, business capacity building, commercialisation support and creative sector engagement.
FW Capital
Loans of £50,000 or more to companies seeking to finance growth plans, with investment up to £1 million in more established businesses.
FW Capital
A £20 million fund offering development loans from £250,000 to £2 million to SME house builders, construction and property development companies for residential and non-speculative commercial development projects in the North East.
UMi
A £3.5 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme supporting business growth in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.
Big Issue Invest
Repayable finance of £30,000 to £400,000 for socially trading organisations with strong social impact goals struggling to secure affordable finance elsewhere.
FW Capital
A £35 million commercial property fund providing loans of £1 million to £7 million to construction companies and property developers for development projects in the North East.
Venture Sunderland, Northstar Ventures
Investment for ambitious, high-growth companies at all stages in technology, advanced manufacturing, creative and green industries based in or establishing in the Sunderland city region.
NBSL
Grant funding up to 40% of project costs between £3,000 and £6,000 for trading SMEs in Sunderland to access external expertise for business improvement projects.
Enterprising Sunderland
40% grant towards innovative projects valued between £5,000 and £25,000 for trading businesses based in Sunderland.
North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), NEPIC
NEPIC is a membership organisation for companies in the chemical-using industries in the North East of England, offering events, mentoring, promotion and industry championing. It is run by industry and aims to help member companies grow.
North East Chamber of Commerce
A membership launched in 2025 to help early-stage businesses build foundations, make connections and grow, with members-only events, networking and funding advice.
Newcastle University
A range of specialist services and facilities, including research, consultancy, clinical trials, studentships, equipment and Business Innovation Centres, to help businesses find solutions to real-world challenges.
Franchise Angels
Investment in proven businesses with strong branding to support rapid growth via franchising, with comprehensive support and exit strategy assistance.
NorthInvest
A business can apply to pitch to NorthInvest's angel investors for equity investment. Aimed at early-stage northern tech start-ups in healthtech, fintech, sustainability, AI and media.