Resources and Opportunities

Further support for founders

Whether you've just had your first idea or you're already trading, there's something here for you. The resources below are organised by where you are in your founder journey — so you can find the right support at the right time.

Discover: Explore working for yourself

Not sure if entrepreneurship is for you? This is exactly where to start. These resources will help you explore what working for yourself could look like — from testing your entrepreneurial mindset to finding inspiration from founders who started exactly where you are now. No business idea required.

• Looking for a placement in a start-up? Visit Theinterna. 
• Test your entrepreneurial potential with Get2test.
• Map your entrepreneurial competencies with Yoop.
• Get valuable advice and insights for freelancers from Creative Boom.
• Plan and develop a viable creative business with Creative Enterprise Toolkit.
• Reflect on what is most important when starting up with 20 questions workbook (PDF: 140KB).
• Watch START UP's videos on various topics to help you on your start-up journey.
• UKCISA – UK Council for International Student Affairs – for information about immigration routes which can be switched to from a Student visa in the UK including the Graduate visa and the Innovator Founder visa routes.
• Startup Autopsy - Learn What Killed Them, So You Can Survive - A curated archive of failed start-ups and the lessons left behind.

Book a 1:1 Appointment

Develop: Build skills & test your idea

You've got an idea — now it's time to find out if it has real potential. These tools and resources will help you research your market, build your business model, and grow the skills and knowledge you need to take your idea further. Pair these with a 1:1 adviser appointment to get tailored guidance.

• Use Value Proposition Canvas to define your product-market fit. Watch this video on how to use the canvas.
• Use Business Model Canvas to create a business plan. Watch this video on how to use the canvas.
• Use MINTEL, Passport and Statista for access to the latest information, trends and statistics as part of your secondary market research. These platforms are available to current students through the Newcastle University Library. Graduates can access MINTEL through BIPC North East in the City Library, in-person. Check with your local BIPC branch if you are no longer in Newcastle.
• A Start Up Consultant or Business Adviser can help you access information through COBRA for insights on specific business-related topics. Book a START UP appointment.
• All the tools you need to design your business with Design a Better Business. This document will give you everything you need in one. Campaign Persona Canvas.
• Use the Mom Test to understand what questions to ask in your primary market research. Take a look at our recommended reading list for details on this book and others available in the Philip Robinson Library.

Funding at this stage

Make It Happen Fund — if you're at the early stages of exploring a new opportunity and need some support with activity such as market research, focus groups, interviews or prototyping, the Make It Happen Fund could help. You can apply for up to £500.

Co-working and community

The START UP Space, Level 1, King's Gate building, offers hot-desking and open-plan meeting space. Perfect for catching up with the team and community.

Launch: Establish and launch your business

Ready to make it real? This section covers everything you need to formally establish your business — from understanding the legal side of self-employment to protecting your intellectual property, accessing grant funding, and trading overseas. Book a 1:1 with an adviser to talk through your next steps.

• Understand the legal side of being self-employed with resources from HMRC. Visit their YouTube playlist for guidance on submitting a self-assessment tax return.
• Get training and support on Intellectual Property with the Intellectual Property Office.
• Learn to trade overseas with resources from the Department for International Trade.

Funding at this stage

• If you have a well-defined and well researched business idea or early-stage start-up – START UP Grant Funding could be the fund for you.

Grow: Scale and grow your business

Funding at this stage

For investment-readiness and scale-up funding conversations, speak to a Start Up adviser about investor network access and regional funding routes.

General sources of support for North East businesses

The North East BIC is a not‑for‑profit enterprise hub that provides flexible workspace and expert business support to help entrepreneurs and organisations across the region start, grow, and innovate

• North East BIC

The North East Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most influential business membership network, supporting, connecting and representing 2,000+ organisations.

• North East Chamber of Commerce

The North East Growth Hub can help you find funding and finance and access business support in the North East. Their team of experts are equipped to support you and your business, regardless of your business size or stage.

• North East Growth Hub

Networks and Socials

Join a network or attend a social event to make new connections and drive your business forward.

• FIRST provide courses, workshops and events. They also run the Startup Awards North East.
• Generator is the North's leading development agency and community for creative professionals.
• Mussel Club is one of the largest networks within the North East business community.
• Sunderland Software City offers business support and events with a focus on digital and tech.
• North East Cultural Freelancers are a community for people working in the cultural sector in the North East, or connected to the North East. 
• Pattern is a great source for freelancers, subscribe to the mailing list to hear about their slow networking events
• NetKno and North East Growth Hub a good source of networking events

Co-working spaces

Co-working spaces where you can meet like-minded people and access specialist support.

• The START UP Space, Level 1, King's Gate building, offers hot-desking and open-plan meeting space. Perfect for catching up with the team and community.

• Newcastle Helix brings researchers, start-ups and international brands together. Perfect for a focus on data science, urban science, or life science.
• Floe and TusPark both offer hot-desking, meeting rooms and private office space. TusPark also has a ‘maker space’. Perfect for connecting and collaborating with other entrepreneurs.
• One Strawberry Lane has office space, meeting space, co-working spaces, and a cafe for collaborative working. Perfect if you don't want to walk far from campus.
• Northern Design Centre, part of Design Network North, offers state-of-the-art audio-visual systems. Perfect for creative and design-led businesses.

Annual Events

Annual start-up events and conferences held in Newcastle.

• Thinking Digital is a paid-for conference with a focus on digital and tech. It includes thought-provoking talks, workshops and networking.
• VentureFest is a free conference with a focus on innovation. It includes keynotes, panel discussions, workshops and networking.
• TechNExt Festival is an annual 5 day festival celebrating tech. It features lots of free events.