Original article published by UK Startup Week
We’re delighted to announce that the North East BIC, the Sunderland-based enterprise agency that has been helping people start and grow their business in the region since 1994, has come onboard as a Premium Sponsor for our Sunderland Startup Week.
Taking place between 2-6 June 2025, Sunderland Startup Week is a 5-day (and night), multi-venue, citywide festival that aims to inspire and educate more people to start and grow their business in Sunderland and the wider North East of England.
With each day covering a different stage in the business startup and scaleup journey, the BIC team will be on hand to give presentations, host panel discussions and offer expert help, advice and guidance to delegates throughout the week.
Paul McEldon OBE, Chief Executive at the North East BIC said: “We are thrilled to sponsor the Sunderland Startup Week festival – a fantastic event that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation in our city. Supporting local entrepreneurs and helping them grow is a core mission at the BIC and this event provides the perfect platform to showcase and nurture Sunderland’s thriving business community.”
Providing free, expert business support, training and flexible workspaces, the BIC welcomes businesses of all sizes from concept to startup, to scaleup and beyond. Tailored workspaces and co-working hubs are home to more than 300 businesses in Sunderland, Darlington & Washington, where the BIC community works together to make North East business stronger.
Working in partnership with local authorities and other business support providers, the BIC has also been fortunate to secure contracts to deliver numerous new business support programmes across the North East of England – from startup support to innovation grants and social enterprise support.
Most recently, the ‘Enterprising Sunderland’ and ‘Wear Together’ programmes (funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and overseen by Sunderland City Council) have been set up to help residents in Sunderland set up their own businesses and to inspire local businesses to innovate and grow.
Paul Lancaster, Founder & Event Producer of Sunderland Startup Week said: “As someone who has worked closely with the BIC team, I know they are the perfect partner for the event as they not only have the knowledge and experience needed to provide expert help, advice and funding where appropriate, they also really ‘get’ what the event is all about and are truly passionate about making Sunderland (and the wider North East) a great place to start and grow a successful business.”
