Gateshead 2025: Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups & Small Businesses

Gateshead supports business growth through government‑backed loans, regional grant funds, and robust Gateway services, offering advice, connections, and financial support.

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

Start‑Up Loans
Personal loans of up to £25,000 backed by the British Business Bank, with mentoring included.
👉 Start‑Up Loans
British Business Bank Finance
Offers a wide range of finance options, including debt and equity solutions.
👉 [British Business Bank]

🔹 Regional Grant Fund: North of Tyne Business Growth Fund

Business Growth Fund
A £3.5 million fund under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, managed by UMi and NTCA. Grants start at £20,000, covering up to 30% of eligible costs, and require a minimum capital investment of £67,000. Aimed at productivity-enhancing projects that create jobs within Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, or Sunderland.
👉 Business Growth Fund – Business Gateshead

🔹 Local Signposting & Support

Business Gateshead
Your trusted entry point for business advice, grant applications, and signposting to regional and national funding.
👉 Business Gateshead
📞 0191 433 3000
North East Growth Hub
A regional network offering funding guidance, sector support, and access to business services.
👉 [North East Growth Hub]

🔹 Sector-Specific & LEP Grants

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
North East LEP offers sector‑specific grant funding for eligible projects.
👉 [North East LEP]
Third-Sector & Community Grants
Community and nonprofit groups in Gateshead can access small grants via programmes like Safe Places or TSL branches in neighbouring Kirklees.
👉 TSL Kirklees sample grants (£2.5k–£10k) {CITATION_START}cite{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search8{CITATION_END}

💡 How to Access Funding

Clarify your needs – Start-up capital, growth investment, working capital, or community support.
Check eligibility – Review specific criteria (e.g., project size, funding match, location).
Engage advisors – Contact Business Gateshead or NE Growth Hub for support.
Prepare your application – Include a strong business case, investment needs, and job creation plans.
Attend events – Business Gateshead and UMi run webinars and clinics for grant guidance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What funding does Gateshead Council directly offer?
Gateshead doesn’t offer direct grants but signposts to regional and UKSPF‑funded opportunities like the Business Growth Fund.
Contact Business Gateshead on 0191 433 3000.
{CITATION_START}cite{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search1{CITATION_END}

🔹 What is the North of Tyne Business Growth Fund?
A £3.5 million grant pot supporting capital‑investment projects over £67,000 in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, or Sunderland, funding up to 30% of eligible costs.
{CITATION_START}cite{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search1{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search5{CITATION_END}

🔹 How can I apply for it?
Visit Business Gateshead’s website and follow the UMi partnership links. Grant applications are open until late 2024 or beyond, depending on funding availability.
{CITATION_START}cite{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search1{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search5{CITATION_END}

🔹 Are there smaller grants available?
Community-focused groups can access smaller grants (e.g., £2,500–£10,000) via third-sector partners like TSL Kirklees.
{CITATION_START}cite{CITATION_DELIMITER}turn0search8{CITATION_END}

🔹 Who can help me with funding applications?
Business Gateshead and the North East Growth Hub offer advice and workshops. Larger region-wide support comes via UMi for UKSPF grants.

🧭 Next Steps

Explore
- Business Gateshead
- [North East Growth Hub]
- [Business Growth Fund via UMi]
Contact
- Business Gateshead: 0191 433 3000
- UMi (Growth Fund): 0191 716 1007 / businessgrowthfund@weareumi.co.uk
Apply for
- Start‑Up Loans & Recovery Loans
- Business Growth Fund (£20k+)
- Sector-related grants via LEPs or UKSPF pools
Attend
- Grant clinics, funding workshops and networking sessions run regularly

Value AD

CAN BE

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

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.

Value AD

100% FREE BUSINESS TOOl