Scheme to get on track for success

Entrepreneurs are set to boost their businesses by taking part in a six-month accelerator programme designed to help new County Durham companies flourish in the region and beyond.

Durham City Incubator (DCI), was set up in 2018 as a joint venture between Durham University, New College Durham and Business Durham, to support ambitious businesses based in the county who have been trading for under 12 months achieve their goals, as well as to support local entrepreneurs launch start-ups with high growth potential.

Following the success of its inaugural programme, DCI is now working with eight exciting new businesses covering a wide range of sectors including e-commerce, health and safety, education and training, tourist accommodation and technology.

Each business will benefit from a £2,500 grant as well as six months of intensive support to ensure they are ready for the next stage of growth, with training and advice ranging from financing and marketing to legal issues and business strategy and much more.

The six-month programme is delivered through boot camps, one-to-one support, mentoring sessions, workshops, seminars, and networking events.

In addition, each of the businesses on the programme has the option to access a £7,500 loan due to Durham City Incubator’s partnership with Northstar Ventures. Funding has come from the North East Innovation Fund supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and managed by Northstar Ventures.