Dragons’ Den investor and tech entrepreneur, Piers Linney is one of the inspiring keynote speakers joining the region’s innovation conference, VentureFest North East next month. Taking place entirely online for the first time, VentureFest will focus on bringing businesses practical advice and opportunities for support against the backdrop of COVID-19, with a focus on using […]


Innovation boss Simon Green hands over CEO role to Estelle Blanks as SuperNetwork eyes next phase of development
Sunderland-based innovation support agency, Innovation SuperNetwork, has announced a change in management structure with current CEO, Simon Green appointed as Chair, and Executive Director, Estelle Blanks, taking up the role of CEO from April. Speaking about the change, Simon said: “When I set about building the Innovation SuperNetwork in 2015, my ambition was always to […]

Invitations to Quote: we’re looking for an online platform and content creators to support VentureFest
VentureFest is the North East’s innovation conference. A longstanding date in the business calendar as a physical event, VentureFest attracts almost 800 delegates. In 2020, the event will be brought to delegates entirely online! As Coronavirus continues to impact our daily lives, we have taken the decision to bring the event to delegates digitally. Now, […]

Invitation to tender: Ref: CI5 Summative Assessment and Project Evaluation Services
In line with latest ERDF guidance published in July 2020, the Innovation SuperNetwork and North East BIC are now seeking tender proposals from highly experienced and qualified suppliers for the provision of the Summative Assessment for the Innovation SuperNetwork programme. Summative assessments are intended to provide insights into the project performance to enhance their implementation, […]

SuperNetwork launches Accelerating Investment and Innovation Summit
Summit looks at how the North can forge a path to tackle the funding gap in innovation A new investment summit with the aim of bringing national policy makers together with equity investors, fund managers, big business, and Innovative SMEs will take place this autumn. The Accelerating Investment and Innovation Summit, organised by the Innovation […]

Energy Innovation Challenge Update
The North East Energy Catalyst received a fantastic response to round one of its Energy Innovation Challenge programme, a new initiative designed to support regional SMEs to bring forward solutions to global energy challenges. The first of three challenges rounds which will be launched up to March 2021 centred on scalable solutions for ‘decentralised and decarbonised energy’. […]

Virtual Accelerator tackles Climate Emergency and the impact of Coronavirus
The Innovation SuperNetwork has launched a new accelerator programme in response to the impact of Coronavirus on climate change. The accelerator seeks to bring solutions to market that will support the region’s commitment to tackling the long-lasting damage of climate change to people, communities and the economy against the backdrop of COVID-19. Informed by results […]

Innovative North East SMEs Can Access Grants Through GX Project
SMEs looking to drive innovation in the North East will be able to access a new set of grants as part of the GX Project, a legacy of the Great Exhibition of the North. Initially a two-year programme to support innovation and collaboration among North East SMEs, the GX Project awarded 26 grants in 2019 […]

European delegation visits Newcastle to check out the latest innovations
A delegation of European business leaders and business support providers arrived in Newcastle recently to see and hear about the latest innovation happening in the North East and to discuss a three-year European-wide innovation project in which the North East is a test-bed region. The delegation were all members of the Open Innovation 2.0 Lab […]

North East innovation network celebrates Award winners at VentureFest North East
Hundreds of businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and experts descended on St James’ Park, Newcastle today (28 November) for VentureFest North East. A series of high-profile national and international speakers and business leaders provided inspiration and practical tools to delegates who gathered at the region’s innovation conference to learn from one another before celebrating success at the […]