Starting Your Business

If you think self-employment is for you and are looking to start your own business the North East BIC is here to help.

Every year hundreds of people come to talk to our advisers about starting their own businesses. Some people do it because they think it is time for a change, others have spotted a gap in the market. And of course there are those that think they can make lots of money.

"The BIC offers all the advice and guidance you need. Ron was great with writing a business plan and doing my accounts. He guided me through and made it a logical process."

In Harmony

Music Tuition

We can help you find answers to the all important questions like… ‘is now the right time for me?’, ‘is there a market for my product?’ and ‘will I be better off working for myself?’ We appreciate that starting your own business is a big step, life changing in fact and we want you to be sure it is the right decision for you.

Free one to one business advice

Our wide range of start up services include FREE one to one advice from expert Business Advisers on:

Business Planning
Market Research
Funding and start up loans
Setting up in business and legal requirements
Registering as self-employed
Tax, VAT and keeping records
New Enterprise Allowance

Business Support Programmes

Start Up Workshops

Come along to our free start up workshops to learn the basics of running your business.

Networking Opportunities

Grow your network and meet like-minded local business people and entrepreneurs.

Local Business Events

We have an active calendar of interesting events which are beneficial to all businesses.

Sunderland West Area

For all residents in the West of Sunderland who want to be their own boss.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a European exchange programme which offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to spend 1-4 months in a European business. Entrepreneurs in the early stages of planning or starting a business, or who have been trading for less than three years can participate in the programme.

Get in Touch

If you are thinking about becoming your own boss, and would like confidential and independent business advice…

…or give us a call on 0191 516 6111

We are a Delivery Partner within the Enterprise Support in the North East 2 project. This is a business start up project being delivered across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham to assist potential entrepreneurs to become enterprise ready and ultimately self-employed. This is part funded by European Regional Development Fund.