# Sourced North East

> Verified directory of grants, loans and funding open to businesses in North East England (Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, Tees Valley including Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees). Every listing links to its official source and carries a last-checked date. Unclear details are marked 'check with funder'. Suppliers directory (free basic and paid featured listings for North East B2B suppliers) and tenders feed coming soon.

Last updated: 2026-10-21

## Key pages
- [All grants](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/)
- [FAQ](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/faq/): 27 answers grouped by topic: finding grants, eligibility & applying, how we check, newsletter, sponsors & suppliers, tenders
- [How we verify](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/about/)
- [Sponsors](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/sponsors/)
- [Tenders guide](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/tenders/)
- [Newsletter "What's open this week": free, every Monday morning; new schemes, closing soon, featured grant, area roundups. Sponsor slots will open once we reach 100 subscribers.](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/newsletter/)
- [Suppliers directory (coming soon): free basic listings (live on day one if you list before launch), featured listings coming soon, supplier resources](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/suppliers/)
- [Sponsor media kit (PDF)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/sourced-north-east-media-kit.pdf)

## About
- Independent and free. Funded by clearly labelled sponsors, who never affect which schemes are listed or what is said about them. No commission from funders or applicants.
- Method: schemes are found on official sources (GOV.UK, North East and Tees Valley combined authorities, councils, North East Growth Hub, Innovate UK, British Business Bank, fund managers). Every amount, eligibility rule and deadline is taken from the official page, linked, and date-stamped. Open schemes re-checked weekly; unclear details marked 'check with funder'.
- Coverage: Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, Tees Valley, plus UK-wide schemes open to North East firms. Tees Valley borough pages: Darlington (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/darlington/), Hartlepool (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/hartlepool/), Middlesbrough (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/middlesbrough/), Redcar & Cleveland (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/redcar-and-cleveland/), Stockton-on-Tees (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/stockton-on-tees/); each also lists Tees Valley-wide schemes.
- Roadmap: weekly North East tenders feed, suppliers directory, grant-match alerts. Newsletter "What's open this week" is sent every Monday.

## Area and topic pages
- Each area and topic page starts with a short answer (how many schemes, how many open now, examples), then a "Closing soonest" list (where closing dates are published), then schemes grouped Open now / Opening soon / Check with the funder / Closed, plus a short FAQ. Built from the same verified data as the scheme pages.
- Areas: Newcastle (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/newcastle/), North Tyneside (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/north-tyneside/), Northumberland (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/northumberland/), Gateshead (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/gateshead/), South Tyneside (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/south-tyneside/), Sunderland (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/sunderland/), County Durham (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/county-durham/), Tees Valley (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/tees-valley/), Hartlepool (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/hartlepool/), Middlesbrough (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/middlesbrough/), Stockton-on-Tees (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/stockton-on-tees/), Redcar & Cleveland (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/redcar-and-cleveland/), Darlington (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/darlington/), UK-wide (open to North East firms) (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/area/uk-wide/)
- Topics: Growth & business advice (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/growth-advice/), Marketing & website (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/marketing-website/), Capital & equipment (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/capital-equipment/), Innovation & R&D (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/innovation-rd/), Loans & equity (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/loans-equity/), Start-ups (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/start-up/), Premises & shop fronts (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/premises/), Export (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/export/), Digital & manufacturing (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/digital-manufacturing/), Creative & cultural (https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/category/creative/)

## Tenders (guide, feed coming soon)
- North East councils advertise most contracts on the Open e-tendering portal run by NEPO (https://www.nepo.org/); registration is free. Higher-value contracts also appear on Find a Tender (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/) and Contracts Finder (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search).

## Sponsorship
- Placements (monthly, rolling, 30 days' notice to cancel): Directory Profile (£19/month), Section Sponsor (£39/month, one area or one category, exclusive), Headline Partner (£79/month, 1 only). Launch prices: the first 5 sponsors keep their price fixed for 12 months. Newsletter sponsorship is paused until we reach 100 subscribers. We are not VAT registered, so no VAT is added. Sourced North East is a trading name of Dove Design Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company no. 14814259. Registered office: 6 Atkinson Grove, Shotton Colliery, Durham DH6 2YA. Paid placements are labelled "Sponsored". Contact hello@sourcednortheast.co.uk.

## Schemes
- [North of Tyne Business Support Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-of-tyne-business-support-fund/): NBSL (North East CA, UKSPF); Up to 50% of eligible spend on projects costing £3,000–£8,000 (up to £4,000); status: closed (fully allocated per NBSL, last checked 2026-10-19); official source: https://growwithnbsl.org.uk/notbsf-overview/
- [Sunderland Business Support Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/sunderland-business-support-fund/): NBSL (North East Mayoral Strategic Authority); Up to 40% of eligible spend on projects costing £3,000–£6,000 excluding VAT (a maximum grant of £2,400); status: open; official source: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/sunderland-business-support-fund
- [BIPC Citylife Business Support](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/bipc-citylife-business-support/): Business & IP Centre North East; Up to 12 hours of expert support, fully funded; status: open in North Tyneside only (closed in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Northumberland, last checked 2026-10-21); official source: https://www.bipcnortheast.co.uk/citylife-business-support/
- [Business Growth Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/business-growth-fund-neca/): North East CA, delivered by UMi (UKSPF); £20,000–£300,000 discretionary grants (per Invest North East England); status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/get-involved/funding-opportunities
- [Grants and loans for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in County Durham](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/county-durham-retail-hospitality-leisure-grants/): Durham County Council; Targeted Business Improvement Grant, Property Reuse interest-free loan, Meanwhile Uses Grant. Amounts: check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/grants-and-loans-for-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-businesses-in-county-durham
- [SWEF Enterprise Fund: Start-up Grant](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/swef-enterprise-fund-start-up-grant/): Community Foundation North East; Up to £500; status: rolling; official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/
- [SWEF Enterprise Fund: Business Development Grant](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/swef-enterprise-fund-business-development-grant/): Community Foundation North East; Up to £2,000; status: rolling; official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/
- [SWEF Business Grant (County Durham & Tees Valley)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/swef-business-grant-point-north/): Point North; £500 start-up grant or £2,000 business grant; status: rolling; official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/swef-business-grant/
- [North East Accelerate Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-accelerate-fund/): North East Fund, managed by Mercia Ventures; Initial £50,000–£350,000, up to £1m in total; status: open; official source: https://www.northeastfund.org/funds/accelerate-fund/
- [North East Elevate Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-elevate-fund/): North East Fund, managed by FW Capital; Loans from £50,000, up to £1m for established businesses; status: open; official source: https://www.northeastfund.org/news/new-business-finance-funds-launched/
- [Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II: NEL Smaller Loans](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/npif-ii-nel-smaller-loans/): NEL Fund Managers (British Business Bank NPIF II); £25,000–£100,000 (per Review North); status: open; official source: https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/finance-and-funding
- [Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II: NEL Debt Finance](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/npif-ii-nel-debt-finance/): NEL Fund Managers (British Business Bank NPIF II); £100,000–£2m (per Review North); status: open; official source: https://www.reviewnorth.co.uk/p/the-major-investment-funds-backing-north-east-companies
- [Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II: Maven Equity Finance](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/npif-ii-maven-equity-finance/): Maven Capital Partners (British Business Bank NPIF II); Up to £5m (per Review North). Check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.reviewnorth.co.uk/p/the-major-investment-funds-backing-north-east-companies
- [Finance Durham](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/finance-durham/): Durham County Council, managed by Maven; Investment range: check with funder (from £150,000 per Review North); status: open; official source: https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/finance-and-funding
- [Northumberland Small Business Service (North East Rural Growth Programme)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/northumberland-small-business-service/): Advance Northumberland; Fully funded adviser support. Start-up grants up to £2,000 and test-the-market grants up to £500 (per tender specification). Check with funder; status: open; official source: https://northumberlandsmallbusiness.co.uk/
- [North East Rural Growth Programme](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-rural-growth-programme/): North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (lead delivery partner: Northumberland County Council); Fully funded specialist advice, training and peer-to-peer learning, backed by £8.5m from the Mayor. Check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/farmers-and-food-producers-offered-specialist-support-through-mayor-kim-s-rural-growth-fund
- [Culture and Creative Investment Programme](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/culture-creative-investment-programme/): North East CA with Creative UK; Combined finance and support package. Amounts: check with funder; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/get-involved/funding-opportunities
- [Made Smarter Adoption North East](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/made-smarter-adoption-north-east/): Made Smarter with North East Growth Hub and Tees Valley CA; Up to £3,500 for technical advice. Up to £20,000 (max 50% of cost) for software or equipment; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/business-growth-support/made-smarter-adoption-north-east/
- [Shop Front Improvement Scheme: North Shields](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-shields-shop-front-improvement-scheme/): North Tyneside Council; 100% grants up to £2,500; status: closed (applications currently paused per North Tyneside Council, last checked 2026-10-20); official source: https://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/business-support
- [Durham Business Growth (productivity support)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/durham-business-growth/): Business Durham / Durham County Council; One-to-one engagement, action plans and productivity interventions (no cash amount); status: open (fully funded; no closing date published, last checked 2026-10-20); official source: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/durham-business-growth
- [Durham Business Growth Grant](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/durham-business-growth-grant-umi/): UMi; Previously £10,000–£200,000 (per Invest North East England); status: closed; official source: https://durhamgrowthgrant.weareumi.co.uk/
- [Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-efficient-structured-controllable-ai/): Innovate UK; Share of up to £1.66m. Projects £50,000–£150,000, up to 70% of costs covered; status: open; official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/efficient-structured-and-controllable-ai-systems/
- [Frontier AI: SME Champions, Phase 1](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-frontier-ai-sme-champions-phase-1/): Innovate UK; Share of up to £3.1m. Total eligible project costs £150,000 to £250,000, up to 70% funded for micro or small firms and 60% for medium-sized firms; status: open (closes 11 November 2026, 11am; single SMEs, 1 to 3 month feasibility studies); official source: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2584/overview/4c7afb5d-4572-4ef2-9507-73ef2dec8ec8
- [BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst (operational, decision-critical, assurance and compliance strands)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-bridgeai-deployment-catalyst/): Innovate UK; Up to £5m per strand (Phase 1). Each project's grant request must be between £100,000 and £200,000; status: upcoming (opens 21 October 2026, not yet open for applications when checked 2026-10-21; closes 8 December 2026, 11am); official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/bridgeai-deployment-catalyst-ai-for-assurance-and-compliance/
- [Growth Cohorts: Next-gen low carbon concrete, Round 2](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-growth-cohorts-low-carbon-concrete/): Innovate UK; Up to £11.5m across a two-stage competition. Stage 1 grant funding request must be exactly £54,400: £50,000 of grant you can claim against eligible costs plus £4,400 of in-kind support from Innovate UK Business Connect; status: open (opened 21 October 2026, closes 2 December 2026, 11am); official source: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2602/overview/607351e2-798f-450b-b77d-3131912bcbef
- [Innovate UK Innovation Loans](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-innovation-loans/): Innovate UK; Check with funder; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/guidance-for-specific-funds/
- [Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/knowledge-transfer-partnerships/): Innovate UK; Share of up to £12.5m in the 2026 to 2027 Round 4 competition. Business contribution: check with funder; status: open (2026 to 2027 Round 4 closes 27 January 2027, 11am; led by the knowledge base partner); official source: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2605/overview/4b82d27a-2794-457c-8dc7-7ec4f6911c84
- [Start Up Loans](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/start-up-loans/): Start Up Loans Company (British Business Bank); £500–£25,000 per owner (up to £100,000 per business), fixed 7.5% a year, 1–5 year term, 12 months' free mentoring; status: open; official source: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/business-guidance/guidance-articles/finance/start-up-loan
- [Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/life-sciences-innovative-manufacturing-fund/): Office for Life Sciences; Up to £520m fund. Intervention rate up to 25%; status: open; official source: https://find-lb.find-a-grant-support.service.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/grants/life-sciences-innovative-manufacturing-fund-lsimf-1
- [Tees Valley Export Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/tees-valley-export-fund/): Tees Valley Combined Authority (UKSPF); £3,000–£10,000, 25% match funding; status: closed; official source: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/news/final-call-for-latest-round-of-transformational-export-funding-to-take-your-company-global/
- [Tees Valley Investment Zone Innovation Vouchers](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/tees-valley-investment-zone-innovation-vouchers/): Teesside University / Tees Valley CA; Exploration up to £50,000. Acceleration up to £300,000; status: closed; official source: https://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/docrepo/business/iz%20innovation%20vouchers%20application%20guidance.pdf
- [North East Early Stage Equity Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-early-stage-equity-fund/): North East Fund, managed by Mercia Regional Ventures; £35m fund. Deal sizes: check with funder; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025740-2026
- [The Mayor's Small Venues Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/mayors-small-venues-fund/): North East Mayoral Strategic Authority; Grants from £3,000 to £100,000 (£2.2m fund over three years); status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/projects/small-venues-fund
- [Northumberland Economic Infrastructure Programme (Commercial Property Incentive)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/northumberland-economic-infrastructure-programme/): Northumberland County Council / Business Northumberland (Northumberland Growth Fund); £3 million programme. Award sizes: check with funder; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk/northumberland-growth-fund/
- [Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/business-northumberland-investment-fund/): Northumberland County Council / Business Northumberland (Northumberland Growth Fund); £20 million fund. Investment up to £2m: equity, mezzanine finance, business loans and hybrid investments; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk/investment-fund/
- [Teesside Flexible Investment Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/teesside-flexible-investment-fund/): FW Capital (backed by Teesside Pension Fund); £100,000 to £3m: property development loans £250,000–£3m, contract bond loans £100,000–£2m, loans and equity for buying a business £250,000–£3m; status: open; official source: https://fwcapital.co.uk/teesside-flexible-investment-fund
- [Pride in Place Shopfront Improvement Grant (Hartlepool)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/hartlepool-pride-in-place-shopfront-grant/): Hartlepool Borough Council (Pride in Place Impact Fund); Up to £20,000, with at least 25% match funding; status: open; official source: https://www.investinhartlepool.co.uk/business-support-services/pride-in-place-shopfront-improvement-grant-scheme/
- [Business Investment and Growth Support (Stockton-on-Tees)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/stockton-business-investment-growth-support/): Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (TVCA Indigenous Growth Fund); Check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/financial-assistance-and-support-for-business
- [Town Centre Retail Grant Scheme (Stockton-on-Tees)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/stockton-town-centre-retail-grant/): Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; Was up to £5,000; status: closed; official source: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/financial-assistance-and-support-for-business
- [Stockton Town Centre Shop Frontage Scheme](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/stockton-town-centre-shop-frontage-scheme/): Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; Was up to £500; status: closed; official source: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/financial-assistance-and-support-for-business
- [Enterprise Development Programme 2026 (Redcar & Cleveland)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/redcar-cleveland-enterprise-development-programme/): Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council with Anglo American; Grant funding at the Accelerator stage. Amounts: check with funder; status: check-with-funder; official source: https://redcarcleveland.co.uk/business/the-enterprise-development-programme-2026/
- [Routes to Employment grant (Redcar & Cleveland)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/redcar-cleveland-routes-to-employment-grant/): Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council; A small grant. Amount: check with funder; status: open; official source: https://redcarcleveland.co.uk/business/redcar-cleveland-borough-council-grant-support/
- [UKSE business funding](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/ukse-business-finance/): UKSE; Check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.ukse.co.uk/
- [Adult Skills Fund: employer-led training (Tees Valley)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/tees-valley-adult-skills-fund/): Teesside University / Tees Valley Combined Authority; Up to 90% funded for eligible SMEs (up to 70% for larger organisations); status: open; official source: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/workforce/adult-skills-fund.cfm
- [Business Tees Valley: new business support service](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/business-tees-valley-new-support-service/): Tees Valley Combined Authority; Check with funder: details not yet published; status: upcoming; official source: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/business-growth-support/
- [Invest in Darlington business support](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/invest-in-darlington-business-support/): Darlington Borough Council; Free advice. Funding amounts: check with funder; status: open; official source: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business/business-support/
- [Full ADOPT Grant: Round 10 (on-farm trials)](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/full-adopt-grant-round-10/): Defra and Innovate UK (Farming Innovation Programme); Share of up to £5m. Each project's total eligible costs must be between £50,000 and £200,000; status: open (closes 2 December 2026, 11am; England farming, growing or forestry businesses); official source: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2596/overview/31f0a768-2a9a-405d-b0a4-83a8c5b395c0
- [Climate Tech FOAK Builder: programme entry expression of interest](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/innovate-uk-foak-builder-eoi/): Innovate UK; Support worth up to £315,000 (expert advisory, technical assistance, mentoring and upskilling) to develop a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) climate tech project. Successful companies could be invited to apply for a larger grant in Phase 2; status: open (closes 5 November 2026, 11am); official source: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2600/overview/0c422454-a8af-4c24-a74a-565426f42395
- [Flexible Social Finance](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/flexible-social-finance/): Big Issue Invest (North East Mayoral Strategic Authority area); £30,000–£400,000, repayable over 1 to 7 years. Interest rate negotiated, depending on affordability; status: open (socially trading organisations in the 7 North East MSA council areas); official source: https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/resource/flexible-social-finance
- [North East Property Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-property-fund/): FW Capital (backed by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority); Loans from £250,000 to £2m for residential and non-speculative commercial developments, up to 100% of build costs, repayment terms up to two years. £20m fund; status: open (County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear); official source: https://fwcapital.co.uk/about-us/funds-we-manage
- [North East Commercial Property Investment Fund](https://www.sourcednortheast.co.uk/grants/north-east-commercial-property-investment-fund/): FW Capital (backed by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority); Loans from £1m to £7m for speculative and non-speculative commercial developments, up to 100% of build costs, repayment terms up to five years. £35m fund; status: open (7 North East MSA council areas); official source: https://fwcapital.co.uk/about-us/funds-we-manage