Looking Back on Durham Startups

Durham Startups is a collective of startup delivery organisations that have a wealth of knowledge to help you start a business.

We’ve taken time to reflect on what’s happened since launching the programme in January 2024, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Enterprising Durham.

Here’s some of the facts from our programme evaluation:

By Leon Howe

All posts by Leon

In total, we worked with 859 budding entrepreneurs across County Durham. This includes raising awareness of enterprise across the County in schools, colleges, Durham University and in community locations.

We assisted 299 potential entrepreneurs to become “Enterprise Ready” – helping people like you explore their business ideas, providing focused support including access to specialists.

In total, we helped 178 businesses startup in County Durham in sectors ranging from retail and hospitality, beauty and health, professional services, creatives, technology and more.

These figures demonstrate by contacting Durham Startups, they have accessed their own startup solutions adviser, and some have gone further to get support from a broad range of specialist support including digital marketing, networking, raising finance, retail, green economy, tender readiness, and cultural and creative experts.

100% of previous clients surveyed stated their initial experience of accessing support was excellent or good and 95% stated their needs were identified well and were referred to the right support. The most accessed specialist support was networking.

By connecting with Durham Startups, this allows you to access the relevant support you need to build your own knowledge and skills, making you enterprise ready.

68% of Durham Startup clients surveyed said they had been helped to build their skills and capabilities and over 75% believing support had helped to build client skills and capability.

It doesn’t matter what stage you are at, ideas stage, just thinking about it or about to start, we can provide you with the guidance and support you need to build a sustainable business in County Durham. It shows from our survey that you too can access some great support and build your own skills and capabilities with help from us.

Durham Startups Celebration March 2025

On 20th March 2025, Durham Startups held a Celebration event at the Ramside Hall. Over 100 startups and support organisations attended, bringing together a real community of like-minded people to share their Durham Startups experiences. You can get a flavour of the day here:

What’s next…

If you’re thinking of starting your business we’re here to help. Through Durham Startups we will provide the support and expertise you need… and it won’t cost you a penny. The programme has been funded for another year until March 2026 and that means you can get in touch and access your very own solutions advisor who will guide you through the steps to start your own business.

Furthermore, we’ve launched Durham Startups portal which has a wealth of information so you can work on your startup idea in your own time. We’ve created a startup journey just for you: 6 stages with tasks and an action plan to provide you with all you need to know. Find out more at www.durhamstartups.co.uk 

We’ll be announcing further activities and plans in coming months so sign-up to the portal, it’s free.

Join our startup community in Durham and unleash your potential. Get in touch and we can provide you with help and support just like Andrew, APL Repairs:

Durham Startups (part of Enterprising Durham Framework) is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund until March 2026.