2025
100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Sunderland offers a thriving environment for startups, supported by Sunderland City Council, the North East LEP, and regional initiatives. This guide outlines where to find grants, loans, and expert support in 2025.
Loan value: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed at ~6% APR
Includes: 12 months’ mentoring
Eligibility: UK residents launching or operating a business for under 3 years
Apply via: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Although the formal Recovery Loan Scheme expired, similar finance is available via the British Business Bank and the North East Combined Authority
Sunderland businesses can access low-cost loans via these schemes
Grant value: Covers up to 40% of eligible project costs (typically for projects between £3,000–£6,000) (startupgrant.co.uk, Sunderland City Council, North East Growth Hub, growwithnbsl.org.uk)
Purpose: Aimed at business growth and improvement initiatives
Apply via: North East Growth Hub or the Sunderland City Council partnership
Supports new and expanding community/co-operative enterprises under the Sunderland City Council CLLD programme (North East Growth Hub, Sunderland City Council)
Delivered locally (e.g. in Pallion, Silksworth) with adviser support through NE BIC
Free coaching, expert 1-2-1 advice, workshops and small grants for social enterprises (North East BIC)
Delivered by North East BIC, funded via UKSPF (2025) (North East BIC)
Contact: 0191 516 6138
UKSPF-funded grants covering 50% of eligible costs (up to £241,400 total) to upgrade business energy efficiency (Sunderland City Council)
Includes advice and non-financial support
Delivered by: Sunderland City Council’s Business Investment Team
Capital grants to support business growth and job creation, funded via UKSPF (~£2.01 million allocated locally) (Sunderland City Council, MySunderland)
Delivered by UMi Commercial Ltd on behalf of Sunderland City Council
Support & grant programme for pre-start, startup, innovation, and growth — includes mentoring, workshops, and more (Sunderland City Council)
Delivered by NE BIC with multiple partners (e.g. Prince's Trust)
Offers wider finance programmes including Creative Growth Loans and Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (debt from £25k–£2m, equity up to £5m) (North East BIC, North East Growth Hub)
Angel investors and venture capital available for high-growth businesses—platforms like Angel Investment Network can help make connections
Clarify your need — e.g. startup launch, equipment upgrade, energy retrofit
Research schemes — via Sunderland City Council, North East Growth Hub, and GOV.UK
Check eligibility carefully — including location, business type, and grant purpose
Build a robust plan with financials, quotes, and project impact
Engage support — book meetings with Sunderland advisors or NE BIC experts
Apply online, attend workshops, and ensure timely submission
Sunderland City Council – Business Investment Team
Email: business@sunderland.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 520 5555 (startupgrant.co.uk, North East BIC, MySunderland)
North East Growth Hub
Phone: 0191 561 5468
Email: info@northeastgrowthhub.co.uk (North East Growth Hub)
North East BIC (Wear Together and Enterprising Sunderland)
Phone: 0191 516 6138 or 0191 516 6000
Email: info@ne‑bic.co.uk (North East BIC)
UMi Commercial Ltd (Business Growth Fund)
Start‑Up Loans
▫️ What is the Sunderland Business Support Fund?
A grant covering up to 40% of eligible costs (£3k–£6k projects), aimed at supporting local enterprises to grow and improve (Sunderland City Council, startupgrant.co.uk, growwithnbsl.org.uk).
▫️ Who is eligible for Wear Together support?
Social enterprises and cooperatives based in Sunderland — from ideation to scaling (North East BIC).
▫️ How can I get energy efficiency funding?
Apply for BREEZ funding, covering 50% of upgrade costs, delivered via Sunderland’s Business Investment Team (Sunderland City Council).
▫️ What does Enterprising Sunderland offer?
Mentoring, workshops, and innovation support for startups and existing businesses across Sunderland (Sunderland City Council).
▫️ Can I access large-scale loans or equity?
Yes — via NE Growth Hub schemes, including the North Powerhouse Investment Fund II (loans up to £2m, equity up to £5m) (North East Growth Hub).
▫️ Are Start‑Up Loans still available?
Yes—nationwide via the British Business Bank, offering £500–£25,000 loans with mentoring.
▫️ How long will I wait for a decision?
Grant programmes typically decide within weeks; larger regional schemes may take up to 12 weeks due to the review process.
▫️ Can I combine grants and loans?
Yes—using grant funds for capital costs and financing growth or working capital with loans is allowed when criteria permit.
▫️ Where can I get help preparing applications?
Contact the Sunderland Business Investment Team, NE BIC advisors, or Growth Hub experts for one-to-one support.
Value Ad helps new businesses save 50% to 80% on essential services like marketing and
development. These savings act as an alternative investment, fueling growth.
Service providers gain valuable initial customers, helping them grow and attract investment.
It's a win-win for everyone!
This App/website is not affiliated with any government agency. We collect and organize information from publicly available government websites and provide direct links to these official sources.
For accurate details and to apply for grants or loans, please visit the relevant government websites linked within the App/website.
What is Value Ad?
Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.
How is it a Win-Win Deal?
For New Businesses:
Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.
Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.
For Service Providers:
Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.
Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.
Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.
Alternative Investment for New Businesses:
For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.
Benefits for Service Providers:
Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:
Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.
Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.
Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.
In Summary:
Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.
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