One of the most important hurdles facing an entrepreneur is sourcing investment to make their business ideas grow and flourish into something real. We look beyond the bank manager and consider ways that you can secure that much-needed cash injection for your business.

Commitment to boosting entrepreneurship in the UK is stronger than ever – in fact there are more venture capitalists here than in the rest of Europe – and there is a wide range of support and financial assistance available to North East firms.

Here is a small selection of the support available. To browse the complete range visit the One NorthEast website.  

Business Investors Group (BiG) - North East Business Angels 

Provides equity funding from £10,000 to £1 million plus for businesses of any size. It will team up with other financial partners to offer the best total, balanced-funding package. This funding is available throughout the North East of England.

CapitaliSE/North East Social Enterprise Partnership (NESEP) 

The fund provides loans between £15,000 and £100,000 for social enterprises unable to access loans from mainstream sources.

Coalfields Enterprise Fund 

Investment by the fund may be up to 50% of the total funding requirement ranging from £40,000 to £500,000. The Fund invests in former coalfield areas, so to be considered you need to be either located in an eligible coalfield ward or employ people who live in an eligible coalfield ward.

NESTA

Grants are available for individuals up to £65,000 and if there is private sector involvement investment through NESTA can increase to £150,000. Helpfully, NESTA will support research and development, tests to prove the concept (including prototype development), plus help to secure Intellectual Property Rights.

North East Equity Matching Fund 

The North East Equity Matching Fund (NEEMF) is a £2.5 million fund, created through the Small Business Service and managed by Entrust. NEEMF is an innovative and unique co-investment fund that aims to generate and increase Business Angel and private investment activity in the North East of England.

North East Investment Fund Three/Evolve 

Investments range between £15,000 and £250,000 and are available for small businesses looking to start-up, expand or undertake a management buy-outs or management buy-in.

North East Proof of Concept Fund (NEPOC) 

Size of investment ranges between £10,000 and £60,000 and can be part of a larger funding package. Available throughout almost the whole of the North East of England , this fund is for technology and science-based SMEs.

Northern Venture Managers

Investments range between £500,000 and £5,000,000 and are suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Prime 

Provides loans up to £5,000 to unemployed individuals over 50 who would like to start a business, or up to £10,000 to a business run by two or more eligible individuals. A business plan is required.

Prince's Trust 

Up to £4,000 for a sole trader and up to £5,000 for a partnership is available for unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 30 in North East England.

Project North East (PNE)

A loan of up to £5,000 can be provided to individuals in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

The Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme 

Helps new and existing businesses access debt finance where they lack the collateral demanded by a commercial lender. The programme allows businesses to develop new products, services and markets and also to introduce leading-edge technologies.

Relevant links

One North East website - funding information  

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