Frequently asked questions
What grants are available for small businesses in the North East in 2026?
Current examples include the North of Tyne Business Support Fund (up to 50% of £3,000–£8,000 projects), the Sunderland Business Support Fund (up to 40% of £3,000–£6,000 projects), and Made Smarter Adoption North East for manufacturers (up to £20,000 towards software or equipment). Every scheme on Sourced North East links to its official source and shows the date we last checked it.
Can I get a grant for a new website in the North East?
Yes, in some areas. The North of Tyne Business Support Fund (Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland) and the Sunderland Business Support Fund both list website design and development as eligible projects. Check the eligibility on each official page before you commit spend.
Is there funding for equipment or machinery?
Options include the North East Elevate Fund (loans from £50,000), the Business Growth Fund for investments in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland, and Made Smarter for manufacturers. Availability changes, so check with the funder.
What funding is there for start-ups in the North East?
Start Up Loans offer £500–£25,000 per owner at a fixed 7.5% a year. Young founders aged 18–30 can apply to the SWEF grants (up to £500 or £2,000) through Community Foundation North East or Point North.
How does Sourced North East verify schemes?
Every listing is taken from an official or delivery-partner source page and linked to it, with a last-checked date. Where a detail is unclear we write "check with funder" rather than guess. We re-check open schemes every week.
Does Sourced North East charge businesses to use the grants finder?
No. Searching and reading listings is free. The site is funded by clearly labelled sponsors, who never change grant content.