Partners - North East Entrepreneurship Week

Our Partners

North East Entrepreneurship Week is made possible by partners and supporters who believe ambitious businesses are vital to the future of the region.

Their generous support allows us to create the events, mentoring sessions, school activities, and to build a stronger platform for entrepreneurship across the North East.

A big thank you to:

Headline Partner

Blu Sky is an award-winning chartered accountants supporting ambitious, scaling companies across the UK. More than compliance providers, Blu Sky acts as a strategic partner and outsourced finance function – helping startups, scaleups, and investment-ready businesses grow with confidence. From day-to-day finance operations to board-level reporting, Blu Sky brings clarity, control, and insight to every stage of growth. Services include core accounting, R&D tax credits, strategic planning, and exit planning. Whether preparing for investment, improving cashflow, or navigating change, Blu Sky helps business owners make informed decisions – because when a business grows, it’s not just the numbers that change.

North East Entrepreneurship Week Supporters

An independent not-for-profit community, built and run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, for almost 25 years, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum has brought together business owners from across the North East. People who understand the responsibility that comes with growing a company, employing people, making difficult decisions, and creating something that lasts. Everything they do starts with one simple belief: Entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs

A private sector, not-for-profit organisation focused on making the UK the best place in the world to scale a business.

Helping companies access public and private capital markets, raise finance for growth, and connect with investors.

Regional Partners

With lots of different ways for their business customers to do their business banking, they have you covered, but NatWest Group also runs NatWest Accelerator. A free and thriving community for entrepreneurs, the Accelerator provides access to co-working space and a range of support to help you grow your business. Underpinned by the NatWest Accelerator app, it will empower you to grow your business whenever you need it, virtually or at one of their 12 physical hubs across the UK. So, whether you’re looking to increase sales, find funding, or sharpen your leadership skills, they have the practical tools, coaching and connections for you.

Supporting businesses to create jobs and ensuring people have the skills to access work and provide the right conditions for economic growth, this North East Mayoral Strategic Authority will ensure support and investment in a wide range of economic drivers: from advanced manufacturing to the cultural sector, from skills training to good transport. Working with businesses, universities, and the research and innovation catapults to unlock higher levels of R&D and innovation funding, it will ensure the region transitions to a digitally enabled economy that supports people in employment, and that economic growth reaches all parts of the region. With targeted support for rural and coastal areas, it’s important that we continue to sell the North East, and the Mayoral Strategic Authority will progress a North East brand that builds on our remarkable creative, cultural, sports, and visitor economy assets, in alignment with our investment in these areas.

Business Tees Valley connects businesses and entrepreneurs across the region with the support, funding, expertise and opportunities they need to start, grow and thrive. Right now, they are building a new business support service for local businesses, one that’s simpler, more personalised and designed around the real needs of businesses. It’s not just an update; it’s a fundamental shift in how support works in the Tees Valley region.

Access to Finance Partner

The UK’s economic development bank, helping smaller businesses access the finance they need to start, scale and stay in the UK. Through over 200 delivery partners, the British Business Bank increase the supply and diversity of funding, support innovation, and unlock growth. Their five-year strategy focuses on backing high-potential businesses, mobilising private capital, and unlocking opportunities in people and places. Through a place-based approach, they work with regional partners to strengthen local investment ecosystems, ensuring ambitious businesses across the North East can access the finance needed to grow, innovate and create jobs in region.

Ones to Watch Index

At its core, Castrius Capital Partners is a venture accelerator supporting the launch, growth and scale-up of innovative private organisations who are headquartered in the North East. Offering a combination of capital, hands-on expertise and access to proven sector specialists they are aiming to work in true partnership with firms who want to maximise their potential. Castrius will also be the operator of the Northern Growth Ladder – a private capital platform that integrates a closed network of equity funds with ambitious businesses within an enhanced growth ecosystem. The Northern Growth Ladder will bring together selected Investment, Business and Strategic Partners to create a formal framework that acts as a catalyst to enable regional businesses to become new market leaders. Ultimately, their objective is to bring £10bn of funding capacity to the North East across the next 10 years leading to a significant increase in enterprise value for participating businesses and real prosperity for their stakeholders.

Next Generation Partner

RTC North is a Certified B Corporation and employee‑owned organisation, reflecting its long‑standing commitment to using business as a force for good. This people‑first model ensures the organisation is governed in line with its purpose, values, and regional mission, with ownership held on behalf of its employees and a strong focus on long‑term impact. Working with a wide range of partners including local authorities, universities, and the private sector, RTC offers expert advice in areas such as business growth, digital transformation, commercialisation, skills development, and internationalisation. RTC is committed to fostering enterprise, driving innovation, and empowering businesses to achieve sustainable and inclusive success across the North of England.

Entrepreneurial Award Sponsors

Gold Supporters

Building on over 100 years of business education at Newcastle University, the Business School was established in 2002. Today, they continue to drive innovation and leadership in the global business landscape, we a focus on creating a better, more responsible, inclusive, and just future for all. A world-leading, triple accredited business school, they are part of Newcastle University, a research-intensive Russell Group University with a proud history of world-class academic excellence. On a mission to advance knowledge, share insights and transform policy and practice for the benefit of all, they offer a network that provides rich perspectives and diverse talents to drive innovation and success. And although their roots are in the North East, they have connections and partnerships across the globe, and work with local and global businesses to address industry challenges, using knowledge and innovation.

FW Capital provides a range of funding options to support businesses across the North East and Teesside. Through the North East Elevate Fund and dedicated property funds, they help businesses in the North East MSA grow, innovate or invest in new residential and commercial developments, with finance available to support expansion, job creation and regional economic growth. In Teesside, the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund offers loans and equity investments to support business acquisitions, property development and contract-related bond finance. Backed by local investment and regional expertise, the fund helps businesses unlock growth opportunities and contribute to the long-term success of the Teesside economy.

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There's still room at the table

If your organisation wants to play a bigger role in North East Entrepreneurship Week, let’s explore what that could look like.