Are you looking for support?
If you are looking to set up a hi-tech business particularly in the digital, process or advanced engineering sectors you may benefit from talking to specialist organisations who can also put you in touch with other businesses and ancillary services in their cluster.
Catapult
A not-for-profit, independent physical centre which connect businesses with the UK’s research and academic communities. Catapult provide access to expert technical capabilities, equipment, and other resources required to take innovative ideas from concept to reality, supporting businesses and researchers to collaboratively solve key problems and develop new products and services on a commercial scale.
Further information available here.
Centre for Process Innovation
CPI is an independent technology innovation centre which translates ideas and research into successfully commercialised products and processes.
It provides open access facilities and expertise to help companies develop, prove, prototype, and scale up their innovations.
Further information available here.
Department for International Trade (DIT)
DIT provide advice, guidance and in some cases financial support to exporters looking to move into new markets or to firms looking to export for the first time.
Further information available here.
Specific to the North East, DIT have launched the ‘Expanding Tees Valley Presence in International Markets’ fund, created to help eligible SMEs in the Tees Valley to sell their products and services to overseas markets. This FREE and innovative service can provide both practical and financial support. So, if you’re new to exporting, this fund will help get you started or, if you’re already exporting, to trade in new countries.
Businesses will be given tailored support to help them develop an achievable Export Growth Action Plan. In addition, access to specialist support, such as Virtual Export Managers and Export Sector Specialists, plus (for eligible SMEs) grant funding to assist with the costs of export promotion, will help maximise your chances of success.
Digital City
Led by Teesside University, Digital City provides tailored support to digital businesses looking to innovate and grow and to non digital businesses who are looking to adopt digital technology.
- Programmes to allow early-stage tech companies accelerate their growth within the sector
- Innovation support to keep digital businesses evolving and thriving in the digital market
- Scale up programmes to equip leaders with all the tools needed to quickly scale up your business
Further information available here.
Materials Processing Institute
The Materials Processing Institute is a Research and Innovation Centre based in Redcar and Cleveland serving organisations which work with materials, materials processing or energy. MPI can help business by providing:
- Access to Financial and Investment Support
- In-depth support and training for start-ups and existing businesses
Further information available here.
North East Automotive Alliance
The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) is an industry-led cluster group, established to support the economic sustainable growth and competitiveness of the automotive sector in the North East of England.
Further information available here.
North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC)
Working to grow the chemical-processing sector and associated supply chain in the North East of England.
Further information available here.
RTC North
RTC North is one of Europe’s leading technology transfer companies specialising in the commercialisation of new products and services. RTC North support businesses with strategy, innovation, operational improvement internationalisation and people development to help clients achieve sustainable growth.
Further information available here.
Teesside University
Located at its Darlington Campus, The Forge is Teesside University’s specialist business hub.
The courses are designed for employers seeking to develop their staff and update their sector-specific knowledge and skills. They are all delivered by expert practitioners, and informed by industry-led research.
The university faculty’s are also to assist projects via the Innovate Tees Valley scheme.
Further information available here.
The Welding Institute (TWI)
TWI is the professional membership institution for welding and engineering joinery. Their Technology and Training Centre for the North East is a world leader in underwater inspection, plastics joining, weld inspection and non-destructive testing applications.
Further information available here.
TTE Technical (UK) (TTE)
TTE is a management and technical training organisation offering a range of accredited courses and apprenticeships in Engineering, Process, Health & Safety, Management and NVQ Diploma’s.
Further information available here.
