A collective of North East business support organisations are celebrating after it was revealed they supported the launch of almost 700 new businesses in the region last year.

A 15-strong consortium including the North East BIC have been working in collaboration over the past 12 months to provide start-up business support to people across the North East Combined Authority (NECA) area.

Bringing together experts and organisations from across the sector, the support has helped almost 700 people realise their dream of setting up a business, leading to an estimated combined first-year turnover of £42 million and attracting nearly £7 million in personal investment.

Over half of the businesses established were women-led, significantly bucking the national average of 19.1%, with 15% founded by people who are disabled or have health issues affecting their ability to work.

Paul McEldon OBE, chief executive of the North East BIC, said: “This is a fantastic example of how partnership working can make business support more accessible and impactful for everyone.

“By bringing together organisations from Berwick to Barnard Castle, we’ve been able to provide in-person, expert support to people in communities across the region, and the results back it up.

“It has provided real opportunities for people across the region, allowing people to realise their dreams of becoming their own boss while creating jobs. It has had such a positive impact.”

The consortium of 15 enterprise support organisations is coordinated by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL), which is also chaired by Paul. With over 50 experienced business advisers working in unison, the consortium offers tailored, person-centred support to aspiring entrepreneurs.

This collaborative approach to delivering business support, underpinned by UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) investment, is seen by those involved as being key to creating a ‘North East economy which works for all’ and ‘advancing sustainable economic development.’

Sophie Milliken MBE, a BIC board member, and herself a multi award-winning businesswoman, said: “The expansion of women-led enterprises represents a critical lever for advancing inclusive and sustainable economic development.

“Women-owned businesses often exhibit distinct strategic priorities—such as social responsibility, community engagement, and inclusive employment practices—that align closely with what we need to do, to develop the economy of the North East.”

According to the UK Government’s most recent business population estimates, the North East has the smallest number of private sector businesses of any UK region, standing at 166,000. The consortium is confident however that if it continues building on its early success, it can help further buck the trend.

Paul added: “Over the past 12 months, we’ve demonstrated how working in partnership can help ensure the North East remains a place where everyone feels empowered to set up and grow a business, no matter what their background or social status.

“We’ve demonstrated that, if you have a desire and an idea to set up a new business, we can point you in the direction of someone locally, with the experience required to help guide you through the process and turn your dream into a reality.

“It’s been a fantastic project and hopefully we can continue building on this over the next 12 months as we continue to reach out to and support people in communities across the region.”

For more information about the BIC, visit https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/

To find out more about North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL), visit: https://neeal.co.uk/