Funding and business support in Sunderland

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

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Local to Sunderland continued

Check statusSupport programme

Cycle to work - guidance for employers

Guidance for employers on cycle to work schemes.

Area: North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

Open all yearInvestment

Franchise Angels

Investment in proven businesses with strong branding to support rapid growth via franchising, with comprehensive support and exit strategy assistance.

Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 6 out of 10

Check statusSupport programme

Careers in tech

Sunderland Software City

Programmes that help people explore opportunities to start or advance a tech career.

Area: North East Combined AuthorityLocal Landscape rating 4 out of 10

Open all yearTool or resource

Open

A complete technology solution for an e-Procurement value chain.

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

For all of North East England, or the whole North 35 schemes

Closing soonGrant

The Mayor's Opportunity Fund

Community Foundation North East, Point North, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

A new rolling programme of grants of up to £7,500 for charities and grassroots organisations supporting residents experiencing financial hardship in the North East. Funds food provision, community transport, digital inclusion, repair and reuse, and community spaces.

Amount: Up to £7,500
Deadline: Closes 9 November 2026 (7 days)
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 7 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 yearMembership or network

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 yearInvestment

Raise investment with NorthInvest (pitch to angel investors)

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.

Amount: £50,000 to £2,000,000
Deadline: Open all year
Area: The North of EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

Open all yearMembership or network

Medilink North of England membership

Medilink

Membership of a life science business network in the North of England, giving access to industry knowledge, expertise, business support and member introductions. Open to life science businesses based in the North of England.

Amount: £195 to £955
Deadline: Open all year
Area: The North of 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 yearGrant

Made Smarter Adoption Programme

Made Smarter, North East Growth Hub

Support for small and medium-sized manufacturers in the North East and Tees Valley to adopt digital technology, with a digital roadmap, workshops, grants for expert technical advice and for new software or equipment, and fully-funded Digital Interns.

Amount: Grants to help purchase new software and/or equipment (up to 50% of the overall cost); grants for expert technical advice (amount not stated)
Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

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

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

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

Open all yearInvestment

NPIF II - Maven Equity Finance

Maven Capital Partners

Equity finance of up to £5 million for ambitious, growth-focused start-ups and established SMEs in the North East of England. Run by Maven as fund manager for the British Business Bank's Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

Amount: Up to £5,000,000
Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

Open all yearInvestment

North East Accelerate Fund

Mercia Ventures

Equity investment of £50,000 to £1 million in innovative, early stage companies from start-up to scale-up stages.

Amount: £50,000 to £1,000,000
Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10

Open all yearLoan

NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans

NEL Fund Managers, British Business Bank

Loans of £25,000 to £100,000 from NEL Fund Managers for new or growing businesses in the North East and Tees Valley, for growth such as expansion, new staff, equipment, working capital or premises.

Amount: £25,000 to £100,000
Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10

Open all yearLoan

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II: Debt Finance

NEL Fund Managers, British Business Bank

A debt finance fund to help smaller business owners deliver their business ambitions and grow. Aimed at smaller companies that can demonstrate growth potential.

Amount: £100,000 to £2,000,000
Deadline: Open all year
Area: North East EnglandLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10