Programme supports firms to scale ambitions

Ambitious South Tyneside businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of fully-funded support.

Scaleup North East offers one-to-one support from experienced business partners to help entrepreneurs and management teams accelerate growth.

Funded through South Tyneside Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, and delivered by RTC North, Scaleup North East focuses on building strategy, improving resilience and opening up opportunities for innovation, investment and new markets.

Businesses in South Tyneside can benefit from:

• Tailored one-to-one guidance from a partner with real-world experience
• Specialist workshops and events tackling growth challenges such as leadership, funding and innovation
• Connections to wider regional support, including other programmes funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Pretty Mama, a Hebburn-based maternity and breastfeeding brand, was one of 15 businesses in South Tyneside to benefit from the programme last year. 

Alex Malley, Pretty Mama co-founder, said: “The Scaleup North East programme was a huge help.

“It allowed us to meet and network with other businesses in the area who are at a similar stage in their journey, and hear how they managed to overcome similar challenges and hurdles.

“We also got the chance to hear from some great speakers, such as the marketing executive behind Gillette’s iconic ‘the best a man can get’ campaign, which got us really thinking outside the box.”

Councillor Margaret Meling, lead member for economic growth and transport at South Tyneside Council, added: “It is fantastic that South Tyneside Council has been able to secure funding once again to support businesses such as Pretty Mama to scale operations.

“I am delighted we are able to support more businesses with their future growth plans.”

Scaleup North East is open to ambitious businesses that:

• Are based in South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Gateshead
• Are scaling already or can demonstrate strong growth potential (including start-ups)
• Operate in any sector, with a particular focus on digital and technology, health and life sciences, low carbon and green growth, creative industries and advanced manufacturing

The agriculture, fishery and aquaculture, banking and insurance sectors are ineligible.

Graham Stafford, Scaleup North East programme manager, said: “RTC North is proud to support businesses like Pretty Mama through the Scaleup North East programme.

“It has a long and proud reputation for supporting scaling North East businesses grow to their maximum potential.”

South Tyneside businesses can find out more about Scaleup North East, and a range of other local business support schemes, at a drop-in event from 10am until noon on Friday, October 3 at One Trinity Green, in South Shields. 

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