Business Support North East Framework
The contract will establish a flexible framework for specialist business support, enterprise and related services delivered under the Business North East programme. The buyer is the North East Combined Authority, a regional public-sector body working with the seven constituent local authorities to coordinate economic development and business support across the North East. Suppliers may be commissioned to provide services spanning enterprise and business start-up, business growth and productivity, high-growth and investment support, sector and supply-chain development, and business engagement, training and programme support. Expected interventions include mentoring, access to finance, workforce development, innovation, digital adoption, productivity improvement, business resilience, scale-up assistance and market entry support for entrepreneurs and businesses at different stages of development. The contract value, framework duration and specific delivery locations are not stated, although the programme is intended to operate region-wide through a regional hub and local-authority networks. The critical requirement is that bidders demonstrate suitable qualifications and relevant capability and experience in one or more of the framework’s service areas.
Buyer: North East Combined Authority. Source: Find a Tender. Updated 20 Oct 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £23m
- Bids close: 13 Nov 2026
- Location: Durham CC, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, Tyneside
- Procedure: Open procedure
- Contract period: 1 Jan 2027 to 31 Mar 2029
- Category: Business development consultancy services (79411100)
From the official notice
Business North East is a new region-wide approach to business support developed by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA) in partnership with the seven constituent local authorities. It will provide a simplified, coordinated and accessible business support system for entrepreneurs and businesses across the North East. The model will include a regional hub and use local authority networks to maintain strong relationships with businesses. The wider Business North East programme is expected to operate through five integrated areas of activity across the business lifecycle: Inspire - increase entrepreneurial awareness and aspiration, particularly amongst younger people and underrepresented groups. Explore - improve enterprise readiness and strengthen the quality of business propositions entering the support system. Start - increase business creation and improve business survival prospects through tailored support and business development assistance. Succeed - improve productivity, innovation, technology adoption and business resilience amongst established businesses. Grow - support ambitious businesses to scale, create jobs, access finance and enter new markets. The North East MSA intends to establish a framework to provide a flexible route through which a range of specialist business support, enterprise and related services may be commissioned in support of Business North East and wider regional economic priorities. It is anticipated that the framework will ...
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 13 Nov 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £23m.
Who can apply?
The buyer has marked it as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
Similar tenders
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
See all live tenders