At NBSL we meet with lots of businesses and we're frequently asked what funding options are available to businesses in the North East. So we decided to pull together a Rough Guide to funding support in the North East – we hope you find it useful. We've also included some tips on how to keep up to date with the latest funding news.
This Rough Guide does come with a few health warnings:
- This is NBSL's understanding of the offers available at the moment – for full information please investigate further with the relevant fund managers.
- Support offers do change frequently – something that is available this month may not be next month.
- We've only included offers that are available widely to trading businesses across the North East.
- We've only included grant funding for expert support not capital or loan funding options.
Current North East Business Funding:
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 40% Funding for business development projects – web development, process improvement, marketing strategy etc Maximum funding of £1,400 exclusive of VAT (e.g. £3500 project value) |
SMEs* based in North East with growth plans Mainly B2B but some B2Cs can be supported |
Fund details - www.nbsl.org.uk/how-we-can-help/growing-your-business 15 minute Online Application - www.nbsl.org.uk/nebsf-application Phone – 01670 813322 |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Free programme:
|
Rural Based SMEs* in Northumberland, Gateshead and County Durham. |
Phone: 01670 813322 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
30-40% Funding for business development projects – web development, process improvement, marketing strategy etc Project values from £3,750 - £10,000 |
SMEs* based in North East planning to grow - B2B only |
0191 426 6408 |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Expert help and guidance to develop and implement your innovation plans. Access to industry experts and suppliers Project Funding – up to 40% of project costs |
SMEs* based in North East planning to grow. |
0191 516 6021 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Access to an experienced business coach to help achieve business growth plans. Leadership and Management fund – 50% funding up to £2000 per person any investment made in training the management team. Free access to a rolling programme of workshops or masterclasses Programme value of £3500 Costs - 0-4 employees - £600 / 5-49 employees - £1500 / 50-250 employees - £3000 |
SMEs* in North East with projected growth rates of 20% per annum over the next 3 years |
RTC North: 0191 5164400 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Winning Pitch: 0844 463 2995 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Free Manufacturing review & advice Up to 50% funding (£300-£3000 ) towards your business improvement project e.g.
|
SME* Manufacturers based in England |
0845 658 9600 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Offer | Main eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Provide expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies who want to grow their business overseas Potential access to grants for Trade Shows and Export Missions |
SMEs* currently, or planning to, export products or services abroad |
0845 05 05 054 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-trade-and-investment-services-for-exporters |
* An SME is a small or medium sized enterprise which is defined as a trading business with fewer than 250 full time equivalent staff with a turnover of less than €50 million and a Balance Sheet value of less than €43 million.
Keep up to date
The North East Access to Finance Guide - www.nea2fguide.co.uk/ - is an excellent resource detailing a vast rage of funding and business support offers right across the North East. The site includes a very easy to use online search facility.
Rather than hunting for relevant information there are ways to make sure you hear about new funds as they are announced:
E-Newsletters
- NBSL – (monthly) – go to www.nbsl.org.uk/business-bullets to sign up
- North East Access to Finance – a weekly newsletter from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – contact Tim if you want to sign up
Twitter – Who to follow
- @NBSL_Info - NBSL
- @nea2f - North East Access to Finance
We hope this helps but if you ever do have a query about funding support in the North East call us on 01670 813322 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
