Regional enterprise organisation to offer £50k funding for sustainable startups

Local entrepreneurs with the hope of kickstarting their own sustainable businesses are being encouraged to claim a share of £50k funding from PNE Enterprise.

PNE Enterprise’s Sustainable Startup Award is offering grants of up to £1,000 to businesses that support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by tackling environmental issues, reducing inequalities or improving health and wellbeing.

Launched in February 2018, the scheme has already provided 10 North East entrepreneurs with the funds to develop their own sustainable businesses.

Charlotte Bailey and Sean Ali received the Sustainable Startup Award to purchase eco-friendly packaging for their health food business, Super U, which will help them save 850 units of plastic packaging from entering landfill this year.

Charlotte said: “With the Sustainable Startup Award, we have re-designed and ordered new packaging for our products that are eco-friendlier. From this, we hope to increase our online sales and sales avenues by approaching high-end retailers.

“Being more sustainable is extremely important to Sean and me. For businesses to succeed, I do believe they need to be more sustainable and show that they are actively doing something to help make the world a better place.”

The business has now joined Get Growing - a PNE Enterprise scheme designed to help recently established businesses to grow.

While enrolled on the programme, the businesses will receive one-to-one business support, valued at around £2,000 per business.

Lee Longstaff, project manager of the Sustainable Startup Award and Get Growing, added: “We’re proud to offer the only startup scheme in the North East dedicated to sustainable businesses.

“Since the Sustainable Startup Award’s launch earlier this year, we’ve had some fantastic, high-quality applications from young people who are demonstrating social responsibility throughout their business operations.

“Our goal is to keep the momentum going, to support more entrepreneurs to start-up while also supporting those who have received the Sustainable Startup Award to grow.”

PNE Enterprise, part of Newcastle-based enterprise organisation PNE Group, has supported over 10,000 North East businesses since its inception in 1980.

The agency provides a range of fully-funded and paid-for business support including a two-day start up course, one-to-one advice and mentoring sessions and Boost Your Business, a business growth programme.