Business Support Drop-In

The business support landscape is an ever changing one, and it can be difficult to know what support is available to you. This is your opportunity to meet with various business support organisations from across the region in one room, in the space of a few hours.

The event is open to all businesses. No need to book simply drop-in for a coffee and a chat!

Who is attending?

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC)

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) offers free business information and resource service to individuals, start-ups, trading businesses and social enterprises across the North East of England. The core services include:

• Advice on protecting your brands and business identity through one to one Intellectual Property surgeries
• Access to over 40 Experts in Residence specialising in a wide range of key business topics
• Access to market research and intelligence data
• Workshops and events to help businesses develop, connect and collaborate.

Wherever you are on your business journey, BIPC North East are here to help. Find out more by visiting www.bipcnortheast.co.uk

The BIPC service in South Tyneside is funded by South Tyneside Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 allocation.

Scale-Up North East

Scale-up North East works with businesses that can demonstrate both the hunger and potential to achieve high levels of growth, and is available to eligible businesses in South Tyneside.

Through a matrix model of bespoke solutions, Scale-up North East works hand in hand with eligible businesses to overcome the barriers to scaling and open doors to new opportunities, driving increased profitability and long-term growth.

For more information see: https://scaleupnortheast.co.uk/

This programme in South Tyneside is funded by South Tyneside Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 allocation.

TEDCO Business Support

TEDCO can offer free start-up support to would-be entrepreneurs in South Tyneside. Through Start Up South Tyneside, TEDCO’s team of business advisers can offer support around accessing loans and other finance, marketing, social media, legal and cash flow support, as well as signposting to other organisations that can help.

If you have business idea you want to pursue, TEDCO can guide you through the process, whether you are right at the start of that process or at are ready to launch. Tedco also offer a range of business start-up workshops and seminars.

The South Up Tyneside Programme is funded by South Tyneside Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 allocation.

Find out more by visiting www.tedco.org/

South Tyneside Pledge

Delivered by South Tyneside Council, the Pledge aims to encourage South Tyneside organisations to focus on local activities and practical steps such as local procurement and recruitment, that can help the borough thrive. Over 350 local organisations have signed up to the free initiative which sees a regular programme of networking events taking place across the borough. Come and find out more.  

For more information see: https://investsouthtyneside.com/south-tyneside-pledge/

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the UK Government’s department for economic growth, can make sure you have the right support available to start selling internationally and take advantage of the demand out there.

Get export-ready with support from the UK Export Academy and International Trade Advisers. Build your knowledge through expert-led events or fast-track growth via overseas trade missions that connect you with global buyers. Explore step-by-step exporting guides and country factsheets on business.gov.uk, and unlock government-backed funding through UK Export Finance – our award-winning export credit agency.

Start your export journey today. Contact DBTNorth@businessandtrade.gov.uk to find out more.

PNE Social Boost Programme

Starting a Social Enterprise business in South Tyneside? Looking to do something that benefits the people and communities of South Tyneside? Come and speak to PNE and find out more about workshops, one to one support and accessing a grant through the Social Enterprise Boost project.

Find out more by visiting www.pne.org/social-enterprise-boost

The North East Fund

The North East Fund is an organisation dedicated to delivering public investment into SMEs, having raised and invested the £160m JEREMIE Fund across 2010-2016, and the £120m North East Fund from 2018-2025. They are in the process of raising a brand new fund that will be open for applications in late 2025 with options available for early stage businesses seeking investment, and flexible growth finance for established companies.

Find out more by visiting www.northeastfund.org/

NEL Fund Managers

NEL Fund Managers is a specialist investor providing flexible and tailored funding solutions to ambitious North East businesses. With a strong focus on solutions-based investing, NEL goes beyond capital – offering strategic support, bespoke finance structures, and access to a trusted network of sector experts.

To date, NEL has supported over 1,100 business growth plans, helping companies unlock their potential with investment designed around their specific needs.

NEL currently manages two funds as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II):

• NEL Smaller Loans Fund – Offering investments from £25,000 to £100,000, ideal for early-stage or growing businesses seeking support for development projects.
• NEL Debt Finance Fund – Providing investments from £100,000 to £2 million, aimed at established businesses with strong growth ambitions. These investments can also complement wider funding rounds alongside other investors.

Whether you’re scaling up, entering new markets, or strengthening operations, NEL is here to help you bridge the finance gap and grow with confidence.

Find out more here: www.nel.co.uk

The North East Chamber of Commerce

Wherever you are on your journey – starting up, scaling, or leading the way – The North East Chamber of Commerce provides the connections, expertise and support to help you succeed.

From every start-up story and scale up journey, to the business leaders and the international explorers. We are connectors, champions, accelerators and the voice for regional success. From our networks and knowledge transfer to our member value and business services, we put you, your team and your business first, so we can be what you need at every stage in your journey.

We ARE North East business, so please come and talk to us as a member or someone looking to join.

Pop along to find out more or visit  https://www.necc.co.uk/

Digital Pathfinders

Digital Pathfinders is a fully-funded programme that helps businesses, charities and social enterprises to adopt new technology to drive their organisation’s productivity and performance to become more successful and resilient.

Digital Pathfinders can help you with a range of topics ranging from building apps and choosing software to streamlining processes, building websites, digital marketing, boosting SEO and procurement support.

For more information see: https://www.digitalpathfinders.uk/

Northstar Ventures Innovation Fund

Northstar Ventures are looking for ambitious and innovative teams with big ideas that will bring real societal improvements as well as venture scale commercial returns.

The Northstar Ventures Innovation Fund is for high-growth start up and scale up companies based in the North East. It is cross sector, but focusing on the climate tech and healthy ageing themes.

For more information see: https://www.northstarventures.co.uk/innovation-fund/

The Internet of Caring Things (IoCT)

The Internet of Caring Things (IoCT) is a programme by the National Innovation Centre for Ageing.

Free expert support is available to help businesses increase the commercial validity of their offering and unlock their true potential by tapping into the fastest-growing market segments worldwide.

If you are developing a new product or service experts who can help support you for free with one of the following:

• Rapid prototyping/3D design/3D printing
• UX (user experience design – for app builds)
• User testing – 10 members of the public will test your product
• Surveys – 50 responses
• Data science – making sense of your data (dashboarding)

For more information see: https://ioct.uknica.co.uk/

Made Smarter

Made Smarter Adoption North East helps manufacturers in the region increase profits, improve efficiency and grow by investing in digital technology, people and processes.It aims to drive growth amongst the region’s manufacturing businesses and advance the UK economy by improving the development and adoption of emerging technologies.

SMEs (under 250 employees) working in the manufacturing and advanced manufacturing sectors in the North East Combined Authority area can take part in the programme and benefit from:

• Grants of up to £20k to support the journey to become a smart factory (up to 50% of the overall cost).
• Grants of up to £3.5k to access expert technical advice to support digital roadmap development.
• Training to understand what technology is available, and how and where it can be implemented.
• Support to develop a bespoke digital roadmap.
• Workshops and networking opportunities with other manufacturers.

For more information see: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/north-east/

The Advanced Manufacturing Forum

The Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) is a membership network which connects manufacturers and engineers, providing support to drive sustainable growth, innovation, best practice and collaboration with our members.

A community of passionate industry experts, we work with our members, strategic partners, and associates to grow the North East manufacturing and engineering sector.

AMF membershipoffers a range of exclusive benefits, vital signposting, and access to industry experts to support you at every stage of your business journey and to encourage collaboration, growth, and knowledge sharing.

For more information see: https://advancedmanufacturingforum.co.uk/