"The north-east is open for business"

Published on 21 November 2022

The University of Sunderland joined a breakfast event in London last week which showcased the next decade’s £30 billion of investable opportunities in the north-east.

The event, on Thursday 17 November, was hosted by Northstar Ventures, in partnership with Northern Accelerator, a collaboration between the north-east’s universities

Working alongside NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) and key players, this event provided the opportunity for the region to profile its strengths collectively, in a bid to secure private sector investment. 

Held at Aviva’s London Head Office, regional stakeholders, leading industry figures, and universities gathered to showcase why the north-east presents a pivotal opportunity for the green and knowledge-based economy to thrive in the UK, underpinning key themes of regeneration, infrastructure, and innovation.

A 150-strong audience of investors, multinational firms, banks, political leaders, and decision-makers heard from a high-profile regional panel who spoke about the size and scale of the opportunity. Speakers included representatives from leading public and private sector organisations including the North of Tyne Combined Authority, Durham County Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Centre for Cities, NGI, the Universities of Sunderland, Newcastle and York, GB Bank, Atom Bank, Advanced Electric Machines, NorthEast Capital, Lloyds Banking Group and Equinor who highlighted the region’s assets and strengths as a northern research powerhouse, a testbed for innovation and emerging tech hub.

The event was delivered working alongside the University of Sunderland, Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Teesside University and the University of York, that combined have a research power that exceeds that of global flagships such as Oxford University and are at the centre of the north-east’s emerging knowledge economy, driving the next generation of entrepreneurs and talent.

Northstar Ventures, together with Northern Accelerator, is aiming to attract leading industry talent, enable ground-breaking research and innovation, support the spin-out of new companies and finance them through venture capital investment. 

Dominic Endicott, Director of Northstar Ventures, said: “The knowledge and tech economies are a British success, creating over £500 billion in value in the past decade. The next wave will be about bringing this Revolution to the Regions.

"The north-east, anchored by its strong universities, towns, and cities, with leadership in areas such as NetZero, FinTech and Healthy Ageing, and with £30 billion of investable projects, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for British and Global investors.”

Sarah Green, Chief Executive of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, added: “With so much opportunity in the region it’s our job to promote our offer to the world. 

"This event was a real collaborative and regional effort to attract crucial private sector investment that will support the social and economic ambitions of the north-east of England.  

"Our region’s strengths in life sciences, tech, creative and low carbon support the positioning of the UK as a competitive location for investment and evidence that the north-east is a place where global companies can scale and where investors can align their ESG, levelling up and NetZero priorities.

"This event was a clear signal to city investors that the north-east is open for business and truly unique place to live, work and invest.”