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Welcome to the Winter edition of TALK
FIRST Thoughts…
This edition is packed with ideas and opportunities, designed to fire up your leadership spark.
Why is mobilising others so key? It transforms solo efforts into a dynamo of collective action. At FIRST, we’re in the midst of scaling up, which can be tough on teams. What’s helped us come together? Unifying under one shared purpose to empower enterprise skills and entrepreneurship. We also LOVE this podcast episode of Masters of Scale and as the team roles and responsibilities are changing, we’ve had a go at a RACI Matrix.
Scroll down to view curated North East events and opportunities including vibrant networking, hands-on workshops, and peer learning that will equip you to lead teams, drive real change, and unleash your potential to challenge the status quo. Join us! ????
Building your professional network in Gateshead
2024 sees a new event in town! Join us on 28th Feb at the Northern Design Centre for our latest startup ecosystem event ‘Business ‘N’ Bait to find out about funding, business support and what it’s like to start and grow a business in the North East. We will be prioritising Gateshead residents but all are welcome.
Fully funded opportunity to launch your startup business!
We are delighted to announce our latest course dates for Level 2: Customer Ready. Fully funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority and Gateshead Council, this qualification will empower you to put your plans into action.
When: Natwest Group at the Lumen
Where: Thursdays between 10am-3pm.
More info: here
Signup link: here
Investor Ready Accelerator
Join the Investor Ready Accelerator at Startup Awards North East, a transformative 2-day programme for early stage founders. Offering expert sessions in pitching, funding, networking, marketing, sales, and ESG, it's highly rated (98% excellence) and beginner-friendly. Expanding in 2024-2025, it's the perfect next step support for aspiring North East entrepreneurs.
Get your tickets here.
Startup Awards North East - Supported by Business Enterprise Fund
For early stage founders with a business or idea that is less than 4 years old. Benefits of entering include:
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Free publicity and no ticket fees for entrants who make it to the final
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Peer to peer networking, workshops and events
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Access to real time business support, tailored for North East businesses
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A friendly, passionate contact at FIRST to help you take the next steps in your startup journey.
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A short video application designed by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
To check the terms and conditions, find out how to apply and request an application pack, visit here.
Blogs, News, and Events from the North East Business Ecosystem
BEF has received a £1m loan to support businesses and entrepreneurs in the North East.
The Business Enterprise Fund (BEF), which specialises in providing responsible, flexible finance to businesses who are making a positive impact in their communities and have difficulty accessing finance from mainstream providers, has received the loan from the Isenberg Family Charitable Foundation. The foundation forms part of Ceniarth, a private family office and foundation focused on funding market-based solutions benefiting underserved communities.
For more information, click here.
9th February - SME Equity Roundtable:
Join Square One Law and the North East Chamber of Commerce as we hear from Gill Hunter the Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce’s Equity Commission followed by a discussion with SMEs to gather feedback for the commission.
The evidence collated will support recommendations that the British Chambers will make to government as part of a final report.
Click here for tickets
Grant funding for growing businesses:
The Business Growth Fund is a £3.5m programme of investment funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that supports Business growth that supports business growth across the areas of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North Of Tyne Combined Authority, Sunderland City Council.
The primary aim of the fund is to create employment and stimulate business growth. It will foster innovative processes to drive productivity, resulting in increased profitability, wage growth and employment growth in businesses, strengthening our economy and creating better jobs.
For more information, click here.
CityLife Business Support:
Citylife Business Support is available to businesses within Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and Sunderland to support businesses to grow and adapt to the challenging conditions that many are currently facing. The support is aimed at helping businesses to adapt to these new challenges, increase business resilience, safeguard jobs and improve COVID-19 safety for customers and staff.
Business & IP Centre North East have developed Citylife Business Support, a package of free support that will focus on enabling businesses to grow and implement new models of delivery to help them adapt to the current economic climate and plan for their future.
For more information, click here.