Get Business Ready In Gateshead With Enterprising North

Across Gateshead, Enterprising North is bringing business support closer to where people are by embedding it within local communities.

Through relaxed, informal drop-in sessions, our Engagement Coordinator, Sam Clark, meets residents to talk through their ideas and guide them towards the most appropriate next steps - including referral into the Enterprising North programme for personalised support.

Drop in on any of the dates below…

Chopwell

Where: The Bank, NE17 7HU

When: 20.03.26  Time: 9am - 3pm

Chopwell

Where: Northumberland College Kirkley Hall, NE20 0AQ

When: 26.02.26  

Winlaton

Where: Northumberland College Ashington, NE63 9RG

When: 05.02.26  

Winlaton Mill

Where: The Land of Oak and Iron Centre, NE21 6RU

When: 11.03.26  Time: 9am - 4pm

To learn more, get in touch with Sam: sam.clark@youarefirst.co.uk 

Startup Awards North East 2026 Applications

From the 12th March, applications for Startup Awards North East 2026 will officially open - a celebration of entrepreneurship, ambition and the bold ideas shaping our region.

Whether you’re just starting to explore a business idea or already growing an established venture, there is a category for you:

SkillUP: For aspiring entrepreneurs who have not yet registered a business but have a strong idea and are ready to build their skills, confidence and knowledge to take the first step.

StartUP: For early-stage founders (registered businesses or sole traders) trading for under four years, with a turnover below £15,000, who are developing their foundations and looking for the right support to grow.

ScaleUP: For established businesses trading between one and four years, with a turnover above £15,000, who are ready to expand through new products, premises or employees.

Each category features two awards:
🏆 The Growth Award: recognising progress, ambition and commercial development.
🌍 The Impact Award: celebrating businesses creating meaningful social, community or economic impact.

That means a total of six awards will be presented on the evening - shining a spotlight on the entrepreneurs driving change across the North East.

Fuel Roadshow - Connecting Founders with Opportunity

If you’re part of the North East’s start-up ecosystem, the Fuel Roadshow is an event worth considering.

The roadshow brings together founders, investors and business support organisations for a day centred on growth, funding and practical opportunities. It’s a chance to expand your network, gain insights and connect with people who can help move your business forward.

The event is delivered by Umi, who also offer a wide range of support services for businesses across the region.

You can learn more and register here

Accessing Finance to Grow Your Business

The North East Growth Hub is hosting a free online webinar on the 10th March 2026 (1:00–2:00pm) aimed at helping early-stage businesses and startups understand the finance options available to them. The session will feature specialists from the British Business Bank and other finance experts, covering how different funding and investment options work and which might suit your business. It’s a great chance for founders to get clarity on accessing finance - something many early businesses need support with as they scale.

Register here

Upcoming Events

Click on any event to learn more and get tickets!

• Tyneside Networking,4th March, Whitley Bay

• FIRST Level Two Business Course, 4th March, Gateshead and online

• Chamber Inspiring Women in Business: International Women's Day, 5th March, Newcastle

• In The Frame, 5th March, Hartlepool

• Fizz in the City, 6th March, Newcastle

• City Ladies Networking Meeting, 10th March, Newcastle

• The Marketing Meetup, 10th March, Newcastle

• Local Business Networking, 11th March, Stokesley

• Helix Huddle, 11th March, Newcastle

• The Daisy Education Maths Summit, 11th March, Boldon

• Business Networking, 12th March, Gateshead

• Startup Awards North East Launch Party, 12th March, Newcastle

• South Tyneside Pledge Coffee Morning, 12th March, South Tyneside

• Charity Freelancers Connect & Co-work, 12th March, Newcastle

• Lunch at Lumley Networking Event, 13th March, Durham

• The Forge Demo Day 2026, 17th March, Tees Valley

• The FUEL Finance & Funding Roadshow, 17th March, Newcastle

• Business with Impact Dinner, 18th March, Gateshead

• Fizz & Fabrications, 18th March, Darlington

• ADHD Impact Social Club. Casual networking for ADHDers, 19th March, Newcastle

• JCSC Careers Fair, 25th March, Amble

• North East Immersive Technology Showcase, 25th March, Gateshead

• 121 Business Links Networking, 26th March, Stanley

• Business Networking Event, 26th March, Prudhoe

• North East Network Pop Along Networking Event, 31st March, Newcastle

• Get Sh*t Done Day – Business Reset & End-of-Day Networking, 2nd April, Middlesbrough

• FIRST Level One Business Course, 13th April, Online

FIRST in February

Strengthening Connections and Expanding Delivery

February has been another productive and purposeful month at FIRST, with a continued focus on building relationships and delivering meaningful opportunities across the region. We have been actively networking with partners and stakeholders, strengthening connections that help create clear progression routes for the learners we support.

This month also saw the delivery of bespoke courses with Action Foundation and Barnardo’s, working closely with participants to develop enterprise skills, courage and clarity around their next steps. Alongside this, the team attended a number of careers fairs, engaging directly with individuals exploring their options and raising awareness of the support available through FIRST.

We were also proud to deliver both our Level One and Level Two Business courses, supporting learners to build practical knowledge, strengthen their entrepreneurial understanding and move forward with greater confidence.

As we move into the next quarter, we remain committed to creating inclusive learning spaces and ensuring more individuals across the North East can access opportunities that support their ambitions.

To find out more about FIRST, head to our website.

FIRST X Barnardo’s JOBS Project

“It's important to have good networks with organisations that share the same goal of success. Of wanting these young people to thrive and to give them hope.”

Barnardo’s is a long-established VCSE partner of FIRST. Since January 2025, we have delivered an enterprise skills learning qualification as part of the charity’s 8-week career planning course, The JOBS Project Gateshead, for 18 to 29 year olds facing different vulnerabilities, such as mental health challenges, SEN or backgrounds that create additional barriers to pursuing meaningful employment.  

Karen Hardy leads the programme which was established in Gateshead in 2022, working with four cohorts each year.  

“What is rewarding, is being able to make a difference. In this world, you cross paths with a lot of people living without hope who don’t know how to access support. Being able to genuinely make an impact is my biggest motivation.

Read the rest of the article here.

Give us your opinion and be in with a chance to win a £50 voucher

We want to hear about your experiences of enterprise in the North East. Your feedback will help us understand the real challenges and opportunities facing new founders across the region and shape the support available in the future.

It only takes a few minutes.
Complete our short survey using the link below and you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 voucher.

👉 Click here to take the survey

*The winner will be selected at random at the end of March.