Local factsheets - Middlesbrough

The Business Solutions team is there to help ambitious businesses and budding entrepreneurs in Tees Valley to grow. They have expert local knowledge and insight to help you navigate the business support landscape. Business consultancy is at the core of what they do, working with you to understand your unique business needs and opportunities.

Using strong local links they can start conversations, make connections and introduce you to their local networks and partners to help get you where you want to be. Access tailored one-to-one support and join specialist programmes, workshops, events, and much more.

You can also get support to understand the finance and funding options which might be available to unlock your growth potential. Support is fully funded, which means there is no cost to your business.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business, including those not trading yet.

Website: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/business-growth-support/

Tel: 01325 792600

E-mail: business@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Council offers a range of support which includes advice on starting or growing a business, information on business rates, licensing, procurement, and commercial premises as well as a trading standards service.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/ 

Tel: 01642 245432 - General
Tel: 01642 728011 - Licensing
Tel: 01642 726006 - Business Rates
Tel: 01642 726001 - Environmental Health & Trading Standards
Tel: 01642 728272 – Compliance and Better Business for All (or e-mail: EHTS@middlesbrough.gov.uk)

The North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC) is a police led, not-for-profit organisation which was established in 2019 as part of a national network to support businesses across the region from online crime and fraud. The NEBRC is closely linked to the seven police forces in the region as well as Northumbria and Sheffield Hallam Universities.  

The aim of the Centre is to help businesses make informed choices on keeping cyber secure, providing free support to businesses working with the best cyber agencies and consultants from across the UK to help demystify the jargon, offering access to national intelligence data, free guidance, and affordable practical help to increase online protection.   

The NEBRC offers a completely free core membership to businesses of any size or sector, which includes a monthly e-newsletter with the latest advice and guidance of cyber security matters. They also support you on a journey for upwards of 12 months to improve your business’s cyber resilience. Alongside this, businesses can access a range of affordable cyber resilience services provided by some of the most talented student teams in the country, working alongside senior cyber security practitioners. 

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business. For sole traders, micro, small and medium businesses. 

Website: https://www.nebrcentre.co.uk/  

Email: enquiries@nebrcentre.co.uk  

Enquiry form: https://www.nebrcentre.co.uk/contact-us/

Through the Stockton centre and BIPC Local libraries across Tees Valley, people starting or growing a business can access advice and support services such as workshops, networking and events, a range of resources and research databases (COBRA, British Standards Online, GrantFinder, IBISWorld, Kompass, Local Data Online, Mintel, Experian Market IQ) as well as one-to-one appointments for business support or intellectual property advice. The regional hub in Stockton also offers businesses use of meeting spaces and an Innovation Station with specialist laser cutters and 3D printing.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.bipcteesvalley.co.uk/home

Contact form: https://digital.stockton.gov.uk/BIPC-contact

Generator provides free business coaching, workshops and events, music development seminars, programmes and opportunities, information for music businesses, and a networking group for people across the creative and cultural industries.

Eligibility:  Available to businesses and freelancers in the creative industries of music, film, photography, digital media, and design who have been trading for less than 24 months, including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://generator.org.uk/

E-mail: mail@generator.org.uk

Teesside University provides a single point of contact for Teesside University's business services including research and development, innovation, consultancy, knowledge exchange, start-up incubation, mentoring, graduate placement, training, leadership development, events and professional education support.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/

Contact form: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/contact.cfm 

E-mail: business@tees.ac.uk

Is your business looking for a place where it can access space to grow and develop?

Hope Street Xchange is a new centre for enterprise and innovation in Sunderland that can offer expertise to your business to help it flourish.

The University’s Enterprise & Innovation team is ready to help with business advice, temporary or permanent employees, workforce training or even access to world-class technical facilities and expertise. The centre provides floorspace; offices; workshops; superfast connectivity; access to research expertise; rapid prototyping facilities.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.hopestreetxchange.com/

Tel: 0191 337 1550

E-mail: hello@hopestreetxchange.com

Would your business benefit from a network dedicated to innovation?

Innovation SuperNetwork offers a programme of events which include investment readiness training, exhibitions, guest speakers, networking opportunities and practical breakout sessions aimed at helping businesses to access finance.

The current programme of events includes Entrepreneurs of the North (annual event), Venturefest, and Finance Camp. Current programmes include Innovation Challenge which aims to help businesses innovate and grow and Women in Innovation which offers peer to peer learning and workshops to support gender equality.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: http://supernetwork.org.uk/

Tel: 0191 5166988

E-mail: hello@supernetwork.org.uk

NCL Internships offers North East based businesses the opportunity to utilise the skills of a talented Newcastle University student with a graduate level internship. The duration is flexible and internships run throughout the year on a part time basis during term time or full time during university vacations.

Newcastle University Careers Service has funding available to subsidise the student bursary and businesses can also access free recruitment services, expertise and ongoing support from them.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/employers/internships/

E-mail: kate.chambers@ncl.ac.uk

Could you use support with the commercialisation of new products and services?

RTC North Ltd help organisations with all stages of the innovation and IP commercialisation process. Scaleup and growth businesses may be able to access specialist programmes such as Scaleup North East and Innovate2Succeed and market research, technology transfer, commercialisation and export support are accessible through the Innovate UK Edge service.  Charges may apply for some services, depending on the nature of the project and region. Please check with the provider for details.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: http://www.rtcnorth.co.uk/

Tel: 0345 2080740

E-mail: enquiries@rtcnorth.co.uk

Innovate UK Business Growth (was Innovate UK EDGE) is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It provides intensive, specialist-led support to ambitious innovation-led businesses to help them grow and scale.

Each high-potential, innovative business is supported by a dedicated innovation & growth specialist local to them. The specialist will consider a business in the round and, working closely with its leadership, identify the most productive ways to accelerate its growth. This could be by working on the core business plan and value proposition or through exploiting innovation, accessing funding and finance, and/or expanding into new markets.

In particular, the specialists can help companies to develop an innovation-driven business plan; understand how to protect and create value from their intellectual property; develop a strategy to fund and finance their innovation, growth and be investment ready; connect to new partners for commercial, technology and R&D collaborations; and discover opportunities in overseas markets learning how to capitalise on them.

Innovate UK Business Growth  also offer the Scaleup Programme for enhanced support, the Global Incubator Programme and the Global Business Innovation Programme.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading (innovative businesses, looking to grow and scale their business in the UK market and internationally) with up to 500 employees (250 in Northern Ireland). It is not suitable for pre-starts, or for those businesses who have no ambition to grow through innovation or internationalisation.

Website: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth/

Online Contact Form: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth-contact/ 

Tel: 0300 123 3066  (National Gateway)

Interested in bolstering your cybersecurity networks?

The North East Regional Cyber Crime Unit (NERCCU) offer free advice, guidance information and a range of services to help businesses ensure they have cybersecurity basics in place. Support includes cyber reviews and looking at risks, cyber alarm tools, staff training and awareness, plus a free vulnerability assessment using industry recognised software package.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://nerccu.police.uk/business/

E-mail: cybervolunteers@northumbria.pnn.police.uk

Tel: 101 - non-emergency police number

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is a partnership of five local authorities, driving economic growth and job creation in the area. If you have a high growth business, you can contact them for initiatives such as inward investment, large-scale funding/infrastructure projects and Enterprise Zone enquiries.

This is a statutory body and does not provide face-to-face support, however, you can access online information on business support, area statistics and local business news.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/

Tel: 01325 792600

E-mail: info@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk

Businesses in Tees Valley can access support in developing a Net Zero strategy, through dedicated and tailored advice.  Working with Net Zero Advisers and Technical Specialists, participants who are signed up will receive consultancy, webinars and masterclasses, alongside access to a range of resources including an online tool for carbon reduction planning and emissions reporting.  There is also the potential for grant funding of £2,000 to implement carbon reduction measures.

Further details about the programme are on the website.  To express interest, complete the initial online form and the team will be in touch.  Support is fully funded by  the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by Decerna.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/business-growth-support/net-zero/

Expression of Interest form: https://formbuilder.evolutive.co.uk/formsite/form/f1886251-f2d4-491c-8378-3f199df49def

The Made Smarter Adoption North East programme provides support for manufacturing businesses that are looking to grow by connecting them with digital tools, innovations and skills to drive growth.

The programme consists of a one-to-one digital health check identifying where digital technology could make improvements, workshops on implementing new technology, and funded one-to-one support from an industrial digital technologies (IDT) specialist. Businesses may also be supported with identifying possible grant funding of up to £20,000 for new technology and equipment, up to £3500 for expert technical advice, or innovation vouchers worth £500 subject to availability.  To express interest and explore which elements are available in your area, a form can be completed on the website for your nearest provider. 

Eligibility: Available for trading, Small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. 

North East: https://www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk/resource/made-smarter-adoption-north-east

Tees Valley: https://www.teesvalleybusiness.com/digitalisation/manufacturing-technology-made-smarter-adoption-north-east/ 

Space North East England offers opportunities and partnerships to unlock market opportunities within the North East of the UK. The cluster aims to help businesses to exploit the use of satellite data, technology and applications to gain a competitive advantage in a global market.

Space NE are keen to we are to hear from organisations already in the space sector but also from those which have the potential to work in the space and satellite sector but have not yet investigated the market opportunities for their business support will be provided to organisations via one to one support and events.

Website: https://www.spacenortheastengland.com/

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations across the North-East, can share their news on the actions they have taken to tackle the climate crisis.  The Going Green Together website offers the facility to 'share your action' through a handy online form, then the team will add your news to the website for others to see. 

You can also access a range of information resources and suggested actions for different aspects of the Net Zero journey such as waste management, travel, energy, buildings and food.  Organisations interested in being notified of future initiatives and funded programmes can subscribe to the newsletter.

Eligibility: Social enterprises and charities, voluntary and community organisations.

Website: https://www.goinggreentogether.org/

E-mail: hello@goinggreentogether.org

A Programme focussed on helping North East and Tees Valley based businesses find and win more opportunities to supply the public sector with goods and services.

The programme will offer events, workshops and "wider support".

Eligibility: Trading businesses looking to supply to the public sector.

Website: https://www.nepo.org/suppliers/participate

Could you benefit from help with research and development?

Northumbria University - Business Engagement provides a combination of services - R&D and consultancy and R&D funding through a variety of sources, access to specialist scientific and creative equipment for testing, analysis, product development and prototyping, tailored workforce development courses and programmes as well as business events and networking opportunities, access to students for work placements, internships and regular employment and specialist facilities for events.

Eligibility: Available to businesses trading up to 24 months.

Website: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/business-services/engage-with-us/

Online contact form: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/business-services/contact-us/

Tel: 0191 215 6300 - Business Development Team

The Business Clinic is an education scheme whereby a group of business students participate in a ‘consultancy firm’ to provide pro-bono/free consultancy advice for your business, supervised by experienced consultants.

Students get to the root of a problem, produce a detailed report and present their recommendations. Areas covered include marketing, human resources, logistics/supply chain, strategic management, digital, accounting and feasibility studies.

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading over 24 months.

Closing date: Projects run all year round with two intakes (November to May, April to September).

Website: www.northumbria.ac.uk/businessclinic

E-mail: businessclinic@northumbria.ac.uk

Are you in need of legal support?

Sunderland Student Law Clinic provides free legal advice service to small businesses in the North East (meetings are held in their offices in Sunderland). The customer will have an initial conversation with an advisor over the phone to see whether the clinic can help them then a face-to-face conversation before an answer will be provided in written form. The service is run by students who are supervised.

Please Note: Due to limited resources they are unable to deal with urgent matters. If your enquiry is urgent such as a court date coming up soon or deteriorating health it's recommended to seek legal assistance elsewhere. 

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading up to 24 months including businesses not yet trading. 

Website: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/lawclinic

Tel: 0191 515 2550

E-mail: law-clinic@sunderland.ac.uk

Northumbria Student Law Office provides a free legal advice service to individuals and businesses in the North East (meetings are held in their offices in Newcastle). An initial brief will need to be submitted to their business solicitor who will then make a decision on whether they are able to assist with a particular case.

The service is term time only and operated by students who are supervised by the solicitor.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Closing date: Closed to new cases between April and August/September.

Website: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/northumbria-law-school/study/student-law-office/

Tel: 0191 227 3909

Do you need legal advice? Lawyers for your business is a scheme offering a free half-hour consultation with a member of the Law Society.

The lawyer will not be able to deal with existing legal issues but can help with general legal enquiries about starting a business, employing people, contracts with customers and suppliers, taking on leased premises, business structures, health and safety and raising finance. When contacting a solicitor for a 30-minute free consultation you must advise you are calling regarding the Lawyers for your business scheme and use the named contact on the sheet sent to you from the service.

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading up to 12 months including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Tel: 020 7320 5650 - If you need help with using the find a solicitor section, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

E-mail: lfyb@lawsociety.org.uk - please include postcode or town/city in the e-mail.

For solicitors interested in joining the LFYB scheme
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/individual-accreditations/lawyers-for-your-business

Business Enterprise Fund is a non-profit social enterprise that provides loans to businesses where other lenders may not have been able to assist. They offer varied loan types from £500 to £250,000 dependent on the stage of your business whether you are starting up or looking to grow your business.  

Eligibility: Loans are available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading. 

Website: https://www.befund.org/

Tel: 0800 080 3145

E-mail: info@befund.org

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund 2 offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans and debt finance from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The loans they currently provide are listed below:

Smaller loans - Small business loans from £25,000 - £100,000

Debt finance - Business loans from £100,000 - £2,000,000

Equity finance - Early stage or late stage equity funding up to £5,000,000

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading (with growth potential).

Website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/nations-and-regions-investment-funds/northern-powerhouse-investment-fund-ii-npif-ii/

If you are looking for funding then Key Fund may be able to help.

Providing tailored grants and loans to support the development and growth of new and existing social enterprise activity in the North of England. Funding can be used to support revenue or capital costs, including bridging facilities, capital purchases, cashflow, refurbishment costs, running costs, set-up costs, and wages.

They also deliver bespoke workshops and one-to-one support.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading but you must be a registered/incorporated company providing positive social or environmental impact. The fund can not support sole traders or partnerships of individuals. Applicants must have already approached a commercial lender and been refused, prior to submitting a proposal.

Website: https://thekeyfund.co.uk/

Tel: 0330 202 0559

Email: info@thekeyfund.co.uk 

Middlesbrough Borough Council
Information and advice for those wishing to do business with the Council, together with details of forthcoming tender opportunities.
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/business/commissioning-and-procurement

Open
Built by NEPO in partnership with the twelve North East local authorities and wider public sector. Open will provide buyers and suppliers opportunities to procure public sector contracts.
https://www.open-uk.org/
Email: open.support@nepo.org

Tees Valley Business (Growth Hub)
Events and courses in the Tees Valley and wider North East area to help companies like yours to grow.
https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/events/

North East England Chamber of Commerce
Details of local events and networking opportunities.
https://www.neechamber.co.uk/our-members/events

FSB - Federation of Small Business
Business network and events organisation.
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar.html 

Tees Valley Business Club
Details of local events and networking opportunities.
www.teesvalleybusinessclub.co.uk

North East Automotive Alliance
Industry-led, membership-based cluster group for sole traders up to multinationals in the automotive sector.
http://www.northeastautomotivealliance.com/

Social Entrepreneurs Network
Open to all social entrepreneurs as well as people interested in learning more about social enterprise. Catch up with fellow social entrepreneurs and share progress, achievements, and encouragement.
http://www.socialenterpriseacumen.co.uk/social-entrepreneurs-network/

Generator Union
For events and networking opportunities for the creative business sector in the North East.
https://generator.org.uk/generator-union/

Teesside University
Networking and events run by Teeside University.
https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/business_events.cfm

RTC North Events
Details of local events and networking opportunities.
https://www.rtcnorth.co.uk/events/ 

BNI Durham and Teesside
List of BNI membership groups in the Durham and Teesside areas.
https://bni-dt.co.uk/en-GB/index 

Novi
Networking events for women only.
https://www.wearenovi.com/

Assist Women's Network
Teesside based network for women in business.
http://www.assistwomensnetwork.co.uk/
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/assist-womens-networking-1450788928

Entrepreneurs Forum
A not-for-profit membership organisation whose aim is to foster enterprise and entrepreneurship in the North East in order to encourage more successful start-ups, retain more high calibre graduates and attract more new businesses to the North East.
http://www.entrepreneursforum.net

North East Business and Intellectual Property Centre (Newcastle Library)
Events and business support for businesses interested in intellectual property.
https://www.bipcnortheast.co.uk/events/

NEPO
Offers free procurement workshops under the branding of the NEPO Business Club. Check the website for events.
www.nepo.org/suppliers/participate

Make UK
Events for the manufacturing and engineering sector.
https://www.makeuk.org/

Game Bridge (formerly Teesside Game Developer Network)
Free gaming developers network
https://www.facebook.com/gamebridge

North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC)
Membership organisation offering a range of advice, events (some public, others are members only) and support schemes for those in the chemical supply chain.
http://www.nepic.co.uk/

Middlesbrough Borough Council
Tees Valley Business Compass Growth HubProvides information about council owned and privately owned business premises.
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/business/find-premises/council-land-and-premises-rent
Tel: 01642 729118 For council owned premises contact Gillian Currie
Website: Private landlords: https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/business/find-premises/privately-owned-commercial-and-industrial-premises

Invest Tees Valley
Invest Tees Valley has a range of sites and premises available for businesses of all sectors and size. You can also access information on the enterprise zone areas in Tees Valley.
https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/invest/sites-premises/

Fusion Hive
A hub of innovation for technology companies. Three floors of space to accommodate the needs of technology businesses, supported by Teesside University and with access to its expertise and networks.
Website: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/facilities/facility_details.cfm?facilityID=2
Tel: 01642 384400
E-mail: info@fusionhive.co.uk

NETPark (North East Technology Park)
NETPark is one of the UK's premier science, engineering and technology parks for the commercialisation of cutting-edge R&D from major international organisations, universities and entrepreneurs. NETPark works closely with CPI (The Centre for Process Innovation) and Durham University, offering access to a focused, international community where talent flourishes, ideas are formed, and businesses have the support and resources to compete with the best in the world. NETPark is located in Sedgefield but offers laboratory, clean room and office space to customers across the North East.
Website: http://www.northeasttechnologypark.com/
Tel: 01740 625 250 Janet Todd - NETPark Manager
E-mail: enquiries@northeasttechnologypark.com