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North East Funding Support with North East Growth Hub, NBSL and Digital Drive Durham for 2021 Projects

Monday 16 November 2020

7 minute read

By Sarah Burns

If you’re preparing to kickstart your business with renewed energy in 2021, you might benefit from one of these funding pots for North East businesses. 

We’re proud to work with North East Growth Hub, NBSL and Digital Drive Durham to support our customers with additional financial support to fund projects including marketing, strategy and even new or relaunched websites.

If you’re looking to implement one of the above activities -or similar - in late 2020 or early 2021 now is the time to investigate your eligibility for one or both funds. 

We can work with you and put you in touch with our contacts at both organisations, or you can contact them directly to discuss potential project support.

Meet North East Growth Hub

Launching November 17th at 10am, with applications open until midnight on Wednesday 18th November is the SME restart and recovery grants, delivered by North East Growth Hub.

The SME Restart and Recovery 100% Grant offer is reopening for County Durham businesses today (November 17th) for consultancy, design and development projects.

Funds can be used to access external expertise or consultancy support that will help the business to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and can include marketing, operations, HR, finance, health and safety and strategic planning.

The grant rate is 100%, but businesses will have to make the initial payment for the support or purchase and claim the grant back. The VAT element of any support or purchase is not eligible for grant support.

Apply from 10am on November 17, 2020 here.

Meet NBSL

Funding via the NEBSF is currently available across the following authorities: 

  • Northumberland County Council
  • Durham County Council
  • Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside Councils.

The funding available differs slightly from area to area, but as an example, there is currently funding available in Durham County Council for up to 40% funding for business improvement projects costing between £2,500 and £8,000 (maximum grant of £3,200). You can use the grant for almost any type of business support that will help your business to grow.

 

Meet Digital Drive Durham

Funding via Digital Drive Durham is currently open for applicants, and could provide you business with funding support of up to 40% of towards the cost of:  ​

  • Digital consultancy projects
  • Equipment that will help to improve your business through the use of digital technology
  • Website, app or software build
  • Broadband infrastructure and installation

As you’d expect, eligibility criteria and minimum project values (£2,500) apply.

 

What next? 

We can directly support you with making applications and put you in contact with our points of contact at either organisation, or we can have a no-obligation Zoom or phone call with you to discuss the projects that would best suit your business based on business, sales and marketing goals.

Alternatively, please use these sources of information for your own use and kickstart your business’ 2021 plan now!

Find out more via Digital Drive Durham, or NBSL, or speak to Thrive’s Johnny Woods about your potential upcoming project and the support we can provide for you. 

If you're looking to embark on a website build project, whether it's completely from scratch or a site refresh, our ebook will give you the knowledge to make your project as stress-free as possible.

The Website Design Handbook for Businesses

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