North East Accelerate Fund
North East Fund, managed by Mercia Ventures · Equity / convertible loan
Initial £50,000–£350,000, up to £1m in total
Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham · Checked
OpenOpen Open Open
Flexible Social Finance
Flexible Social Finance is a loan from Big Issue Invest (North East Mayoral Strategic Authority area). Amount: £30,000–£400,000, repayable over 1 to 7 years. Interest rate negotiated, depending on affordability.
- Amount
- £30,000–£400,000, repayable over 1 to 7 years. Interest rate negotiated, depending on affordability.
- Who it's for
- Socially trading organisations (start-up or trading) with strong social impact goals, actively operating in County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside or Sunderland, that struggle to secure affordable finance elsewhere.
- Deadline / status
- Open: No closing date published. Enquire with Big Issue Invest (enquiries@bigissueinvest.com).
- Areas
- County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland
- Categories
- Loans & equity
- Notes
- Listed on the North East MSA funding opportunities page (updated 16 Oct 2026). North East Growth Hub page last updated 3 February 2026.
- Official source
- https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/resource/flexible-social-finance
- Last checked
Sourced North East is not the funder. Details can change, so confirm eligibility and deadlines on the official page before applying or spending money.
Get new North East grants every Monday
One short, free email each Monday: new schemes, changed amounts and deadlines closing that week. Every item links to its official source.
FAQ
How much can I get from Flexible Social Finance?
£30,000–£400,000, repayable over 1 to 7 years. Interest rate negotiated, depending on affordability.
Who is eligible for Flexible Social Finance?
Socially trading organisations (start-up or trading) with strong social impact goals, actively operating in County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside or Sunderland, that struggle to secure affordable finance elsewhere.
What is the deadline for Flexible Social Finance?
Open. No closing date published. Enquire with Big Issue Invest (enquiries@bigissueinvest.com). Last checked 20 Oct 2026; always confirm on the official page: https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/resource/flexible-social-finance
Similar schemes
North East Elevate Fund
North East Fund, managed by FW Capital · Loan / mixed loan-equity
Loans from £50,000, up to £1m for established businesses
Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham · Checked
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II: NEL Smaller Loans
NEL Fund Managers (British Business Bank NPIF II) · Loan
£25,000–£100,000 (per Review North)
Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, Tees Valley · Checked