FAQs

Can I found out if businesses have found the programme useful ? viewclose

To help judge the usefulness and impact of the Finance & Business programme we are using the Woodholmes Group to carry out an 18 month evaluation. This is tracking progress of 100 companies we are working with, producing 15 in depth case studies and completing 20 interviews with a variety of stakeholders. Some of the early results can be seen as short case studies.



Who is eligible, do I have to be a North East company? viewclose

Any small business, regardless of sector (with a few exceptions) in the North East of England as defined by the ONE NorthEast regional boundary is eligible to be involved in the programme.

If you live outside the North East, whilst you are welcome to explore this website you will not be eligible to register for courses and although you can use the Fund Finder, the results will be very limited as the majority of schemes listed currently are region-specific.



Why do I have to register? viewclose

Registration gives you access to the full website and ensures that you have a secure area in which to store things such as results from Fund Finder or Training Courses you have booked.  It also saves you time as you’ll only need to enter your details once.  The next time you log-in to the site, if you want to register for a course your contact information will already be recorded.  Your account is password protected and all the information you provide will be treated in the utmost confidence. 

Registration also ensures that we can inform you of new products, services and opportunities.



Who is funding the programme? viewclose

The Finance & business programme is being delivered by Finance Tree Ltd on behalf of ONE NorthEast, the regional development agency, to offer support to SMEs across all sectors from retail through manufacturing to the arts.

What are the costs? viewclose

The on-line resources and 1 day courses are all provided free of charge. The main aim of the project, being delivered with the support of ONE NorthEast, is to increase the quality and quantity of small businesses (SMEs) able to access finance for growth so we are working to attract as many companies and interest them in the potential to attract finance for growth. There is a charge for the more advanced courses but these are subsidised and still represent value for money.

Is there a catch? viewclose

No, except we are asking companies to invest some time to consider how they could expand and growth and to think carefully about what sort of finance they really need, how much, where to get it and then go for it!

Do I have to do one of the introductory course to access the more advanced courses or mentors? viewclose

The Finance & business programme is designed as a route towards investment for SMEs to start or grow their business. We are happy that not everyone will want to follow that path through to the end. The website, on-line services and one day courses are designed to help people consider what finance can do within a business and what sort of investment is available in the North East

For businesses that then want to go further we offer more advanced courses and mentor projects. These deliver more information but also help businesses examine and shape what finance they are looking for and allow us to look at them. The numbers on these projects are limited so we have to look and select the best businesses that stand the best chance of success. Indeed apart from leading them through the courses we will also examine them and match them to mentors selecting once again at this point the most determined and talented individuals and businesses.



If I go on a course what guarantees are there I will be successful? viewclose

Short answer is none. However the one-day courses are packed with ideas and information and should give you something even if you or we decide this process is not for you.

Why charge for the longer courses and Accelerator Mentor projects? viewclose

There will be a charge for the longer courses and Accelerator Mentor service as these are costly to deliver and provide high value, potentially leading companies to an investor. Given that this is in a way pump priming we think it right to charge for such services. In the case of the Accelerator Mentor  projects we will pay for the mentors, only requiring any cash back if the company who will benefit from the mentor raises finance as a result.

How can I get access to a Accelerator Mentor? viewclose

You can follow the route through a one-day course and express an interest in going further and we will see if we agree that you have what it takes. This is not a judgement on your potential to succeed but just whether, given our limited resources, you fit the project. We will then sit down with you and see if the mentor project will suit your fund raising aims.

Alternatively, if you already have investors interested in your business we will consider you directly for a mentor project.



Who are the on-line E-mentors? viewclose

The on-line E-mentors are experts in finance and investment that have been approached by the Finance & business programme to provide responses to your business financial or investment questions.  They are covered by confidentiality agreements and will only provide responses via the programme. 

The only exception to this, is in the event that a question requires a more detailed response that could be considered to constitute specific advice, then Finance & business will seek permission from both parties (e-mentor & questioner) to pass on their contact details so that the discussion can continue outside the Finance & business programme.