Partner Article

Entrepreneurs’ Forum Announces New Corporate Partnership with Sage

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has announced Sage as its newest Corporate Partner, strengthening a long-standing relationship with one of the North East’s most successful global businesses.

The three-year partnership will see Sage work closely with the Forum, supporting their entrepreneurial membership, events, creating connections, and initiatives designed to help founders and business leaders navigate growth, technology and leadership challenges.

Founded in the North East, Sage has grown into a global technology business, but remains deeply connected to the region. Its renewed partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum reflects a shared commitment to supporting ambitious businesses across the North East and re-energising Sage’s regional presence.

Corporate Partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum offers businesses sector-exclusive access to its entrepreneurial community, alongside high-profile exposure. The Forum is funded through a mix of membership fees, commercial sponsorship, and local government support, with corporate partners playing a key role in sustaining its year-round programme.

The partnership also comes at a time when Forum members are navigating rapid technological change, with recent findings from their quarterly ‘Pulse Survey’ showing that:

• 97% of members are using AI in some capacity
• 73% plan to invest in AI tools in 2026 (with 25% planning on significant investment)
• 81% are seeing performance improvements from AI adoption 
   

Elaine Stroud, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Sage back as a Corporate Partner. Sage is a North East success story with deep roots in our entrepreneurial community, and this partnership feels both natural and timely.

“Our members are telling us loud and clear that AI is already part of how they do business, but they’re also asking for clarity, confidence and practical guidance on how to turn opportunity into real gains. Sage’s expertise, experience and regional commitment make them a brilliant partner as we help businesses make sense of what comes next.”

Melissa Beckett, Marketing Lead at Sage added, “The North East is where Sage began, and it remains incredibly important to us. As we’ve grown globally, it’s vital that we continue to invest in and support the region’s business community.

“Partnering with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum allows us to reconnect with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, sharing practical insight on technology, AI and productivity, and learning from the incredible innovation already happening across the region.”

Through the partnership, Sage will play an active role in Forum events and discussions, helping members move beyond AI hype and focus on meaningful, measurable impact in their businesses.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .