In summary
August will be here in no time and FSB North East will be taking a short networking pause for the summer. BUT you still have plenty of opportunities to get a little pre-summer networking booked! Join us in Newcastle with HSBC on 10 July, Stockton Networking with NetWORK NotWORK on 17 July and of course our virtual networking event too. Check out our events calendar for more information and to book your place.
Read on to find out more.
Featured news and events
NetFEST NotFEST Event - 24 Sep
FSB members and event partners, NetWORK NotWORK CIC, have announced an exciting networking festival like no other! The first event of it's kind in the region, this exciting festival will be taking place on 24 September at the stunning Wynyard Hall. This free-to-attend event will offer a wide range of opportunities and services, from seminars to a brilliant expo showcasing local businesses, social networking, fun-filled activities, a music stage and so much more. Mark your calendars and book your place on the website where you'll also find more information on sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
North of Tyne Business Support Fund
NBSL, in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, have announced the launch of the new North of Tyne Business Support Fund (NoTBSF) thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This Grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.
The key elements of the offer are:
- Up to 50% funding for projects that cost between £3-8k (VAT costs cannot be funded).
- Eligible businesses - SMEs (businesses employing fewer than 250 staff) based in Newcastle, Northumberland or North Tyneside who are planning to grow.
- Eligible Projects - where external expertise is being used to deliver business improvement projects. Examples of activity include consultancy, design and development.
- The programme runs until February 2025 or until the funding has been fully allocated. All projects funded must be completed by February 2025.
Newcastle Networking, by FSB and HSBC
Give your business a boost with an engaging, informal and informative session, bringing local small business owners together to build networks and provide support.
Join FSB and HSBC as we provide a platform for business owners from across the North East England Region to come together in an informal and engaging environment.
It will be a relaxed event with an emphasis on making introductions, connecting with new contacts and meeting old friends. Whether you are a regular networker or new to these type of events, you will find a warm welcome and a nice easy atmosphere for making those valuable introductions.
In other news
FSB at Teesside Expo 2024
Teesside Expo is set to return to Wynyard Hall for its autumn business showcase and expo in September 2024 and we are delighted to be exhibiting again! Taking place twice a year, every year, the free-to-attend expo features expert seminars, brilliant networking opportunities, an extensive showcase of local businesses and business support providers, and more! Book your free place and find out more on their website. And if you're visiting, make sure you drop by stand TE17 to say hello to your local FSB team.
Newcastle University Research Facilities Showcase
Thursday 25 July 2024, 09.00 – 16.00
Boiler House, Newcastle University
Presented with NEPIC and Bionow.
Discover how your business can access Newcastle University's world-class laboratories and technical expertise. Hear first-hand from leading companies that they’ve worked with and discover more ways that you could collaborate with Newcastle University.
You can also meet their skilled research staff, and network with other regional companies and researchers over lunch, breakout sessions and refreshments.
Natwest Accelerator
The NatWest Accelerator is now open in three hubs in the North, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. It supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs and business owners to scale their businesses to the next level.
Through their six month fully funded Accelerator they wrap around support and
expertise, removing barriers to help businesses grow.
Still in the news
Tees Valley Business Support
Across the country, local or combined authorities are delivering business support programmes, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Earlier this year, the Tees Valley Combined Authority launched its programme of business support projects and funded support, covering a wide-range of interventions to help businesses across Darlington, Hartlepool and Teesside to start, grow and thrive.
Programmes include the following and more!
- An intensive accelerator support programme for entrepreneurs.
- A mentoring and coaching programme offering focused support from experts to drive business growth.
- An innovation programme connecting SMEs to large organisations through innovation challenges, supporting smaller firms to develop new products and access new markets.
- Net Zero initiatives to help firms on their journey to becoming more sustainable.
- Targeted support for entrepreneurs encountering multiple socio-economic barriers to self-employment and business growth funding.
- Digital adoption and growth support.
To find out more about the programmes, visit the Business Tees Valley website, or register your interest by e-mailing [email protected].
Your new North East Combined Authority
Communities across County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear elected our very first Mayor for the North East Combined Authority (NECA) earlier this year. Activity is well underway across the region and key stakeholders including FSB are being convened to co-design, develop and finalise various strategies that will determine the activities delivered by NECA as we move forward to build a fairer, greener, connected, international, successful North East.
Although statutory services delivered by local authorities will remain as they have always been with the seven councils across NECA delivering for their communities, the election of a Mayor and formation of a new NECA does create some slight changes, particularly in the way business support will be managed.
What does this mean for you? It means, if you’re looking for business support, the Growth Hub you’ve known and used are still operating but they are now part of the new organisation. The same is the case for adult education and skills support for the workforce, the regions transport networks, economic development and regeneration.
So, if you haven’t already, make sure you’re following their new website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter/X for the latest on what’s happening and what’s available. You can also get in touch with the Growth Hub teams for one-to-one support and advice.
More news and activity near you
- North Yorkshire
- South and East Yorkshire and the Humber
- West Yorkshire
- More from FSB Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for the North East is Reshma Begum. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @FSBNortheast
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.North.East.England