Funding & support resources

Durham Start-Ups is part of the Enterprising Durham programme of support, ensuring start-ups, sole traders, social entrepreneurs, budding founders and freelancers in Durham get off to the best start with the right skills.

Advice and guidance for both employers and employees.

Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19+ who are either in work or recently unemployed.

eBay for Change is a free programme for social enterprises with products to sell.

Sunderland Innovate and Grow (SIG) brings together a range of complementary activities to catalyse and support innovation and business growth in the city.

The Esports Business Cluster (the first and only in the UK) aims to create and support businesses already actively working or seeking to work within the esports sector.

SONIC Labs Technology Access Programme (TAP) is an 8-month structured programme developed by Digital Catapult in collaboration with Ofcom, running from June 2024 to January 2025.

Rising Stars is Tech Nation’s pitch competition for early-stage tech startups.

Growth Track is a support service for high-growth businesses looking to increase market share, develop a new product or service, or enhance customer experience.

As a South Tyneside resident you have access to hundreds of free resources, plus support, to help you explore and start your own business.

Digitalising our Town Centres (DTC) support is available to town centre traders from across Gateshead, aiming to increase and improve digital skills within businesses.

These collaborative data projects are up to 12 weeks in duration and give you access to a fully-funded, wide range of expertise across a team of data scientists and data engineers.

If you’re just starting to think about growing your business, or perhaps you have drafted a growth plan that you’d like to talk through with an expert, then this programme was developed with you in mind.

A brand new programme for business owners and their team who are ready to develop their leadership skills and grow their business.

Supporting the growth and creation of businesses in Ashington.

Delivered in partnership with Creative UK and Innovate UK this programme is designed to support creative businesses with high-growth potential.