Edge is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the Tees Valley. Recognising the challenges faced by early-stage businesses and individuals with big ideas, Edge created the Tees Valley Start-up Challenge to provide critical financial support and a platform to support new innovative businesses to get started.
With a focus on inclusivity, the programme welcomes aspiring entrepreneurs, spinouts from universities and organisations, and those balancing full-time work with a side hustle they hope to grow.
By supporting these innovators, Edge seeks to drive economic growth, encourage creativity, and build a resilient start-up community in the region.
The Start-up Challenge is a dynamic programme designed to empower local entrepreneurs, spinouts, aspiring business owners and side hustlers to take their innovative ideas to the next level. Offering £1,000 grants, this initiative aims to spark growth, encourage creativity, and strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the Tees Valley region.
We are specifically looking to support start-ups businesses within the Innovation Challenge's priority themes of:
Whether you're looking to scale a side hustle or develop a new spinout, this challenge is your opportunity to bring your vision to life.
Apply for this challenge
To apply for this challenge please email the Edge team: hello@ed-ge.uk
Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 21st February 2025.
Please include a brief outline of your start-up, how it is innovative, how it links to the Innovation Challenge's priority theme(s) and what support you require.
Eligible businesses will be selected to pitch their idea for a chance to secure £1,000 to develop their start-up business by the end of March 2025!
To access this support, you must be a small or medium-sized business based in Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, or Stockton-On-Tees).
Support is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Tees Valley Innovation Challenge is delivered by Edge Innovation Ltd and Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, and the Tees Valley Business Board.
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