North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is the regional body for the North East, working with business partners to drive growth. It offers business support and advice through the Growth Hub, inward investment help and funding information.
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 (8 days)
Area
North East EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Funds ambitious cultural events across the North East, for cultural organisations, event producers, festivals, creative practitioners and community organisations. Shortlisted projects are invited to develop a full business case.
Amount
£10,000 to £500,000
Deadline
Closes 26 November 2026 (25 days)
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Free one-to-one coaching and strategy consulting for established SMEs and some startups in Gateshead wanting to scale up, focusing on growth strategy, innovation, efficiency, investment readiness and leadership.
Deadline
Closes 31 December 2026
Area
GatesheadRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A bespoke one-to-one session with an expert business advisor, followed by bespoke sessions or workshops on a chosen area of focus, for high-growth trading businesses wanting to grow. Delivered by TEDCO Business Support Limited.
Area
Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, NorthumberlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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.
Amount
up to 40% funding for projects that cost between £3,000 and £6,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
SunderlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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 AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A fully-funded service that delivers a range of business support to businesses, ambitious innovators and creative thinkers across Northumberland, with a focus on helping them unlock barriers to growth. Businesses register and are matched with a dedicated Business Adviser.
Amount
Described as fully-funded, with no amount stated.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
NorthumberlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Specialist advice and one-to-one support for Northumberland food and drink businesses to grow, reach new markets and build resilience, delivered with Food and Drink North East.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
NorthumberlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
GGateshead Council, North East Enterprise Agency Ltd (NEEAL)
Digital skills support for town centre businesses in Gateshead: a digital audit of the business's website, social media and search, then up to 10 hours of one-to-one help from an adviser to make and work through a Digital Action Plan.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
GatesheadRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Northumberland Council, Advance Northumberland, Northumberland Small Business Service
Free business support for Northumberland businesses that are currently trading, matching each business with a dedicated Business Adviser to develop a tailored growth and resilience plan.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
NorthumberlandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
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 AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Expert technical support and market analysis for micro, small and medium enterprises in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland with technology, products or services for the offshore wind sector.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, NorthumberlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A support programme for creative and cultural businesses to locate, start-up and grow, providing affordable workspace, business support, skills development and networking opportunities.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, NorthumberlandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A three-year support programme offering one-to-one business advice, workshops and networking to food, drink and hospitality businesses in the North East to help them start, grow and become more resilient.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free, fully funded training to help employers create a more inclusive workplace, covering topics such as diversity, disability confidence, mental health awareness and equality compliance.
Amount
Fully funded
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Targeted support for rural businesses and eligible individuals across rural Northumberland, County Durham and Gateshead to start, grow and become more resilient, including enterprise, growth, food and drink and farm business support.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Northumberland, County Durham, GatesheadRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
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.
Amount
£250,000 to £3,000,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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.
Amount
£250,000 to £2,000,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Equity investment in companies spinning out from Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities to commercialise research and innovation.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East EnglandRating 6/10Local Landscape rating 6 out of 10
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.
Amount
£1,000,000 to £7,000,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
An employer accreditation and support initiative recognising organisations that lead with fairness, opportunity and respect through fair pay, secure work, inclusive practices and opportunities to grow.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
North East Growth Hub, Business & IP Centre North East
Free on-site research resources, free one-to-one intellectual property surgeries and free business workshops and advice to help start-ups and existing businesses research, protect and commercialise ideas.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, NorthumberlandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
The Law Society, North East Growth Hub, Lawyers for Your Business
Puts small and medium business owners in touch with a solicitor for a free 30-minute consultation on legal issues they face and the next steps to take.
Amount
Free 30-minute consultation
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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 EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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 AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
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.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North East Combined AuthorityRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A grant covering up to 50% of eligible business spend for external expertise to implement business growth and improvement plans, for trading SMEs in the North of Tyne area.
Amount
Up to £4,000
Deadline
Funds currently fully allocated
Area
Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, NorthumberlandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
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