A UNIVERSITY has launched a networking project to help small businesses in the region.

Teesside University is working alongside the North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) and Digital City to help increase the number of successful and innovative small businesses in the Tees Valley.

Innovate Tees Valley, which has been created thanks to a £3.8m grant from the European Regional Development Fund, will aim to help small businesses expand and delve into new markets both in the UK and abroad.

Laura Woods, director of the Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said the scheme was an “exciting new approach” and would help businesses to innovate.

“We wanted to get away from a one size fits all formula, and make it as easy as possible for small businesses with ideas and ambitions to get exactly the help they need.”

Small businesses who are eligible will receive support from experts and other organisations involved with the networking project.

Businesses will be allocated their own mentor, who will create a support programme to help with marketing, technical support, funding and digital technology.

Stan Higgins, chief executive of Nepic, said: “Our industry recognises that small business growth and supply chain diversity are key drivers of the local economy and vital for the sustainability of important clusters such as the chemical-process sector.

Rob Earnshaw, director of Digital City, added: “Through Innovate Tees Valley we can offer a package of interventions to small businesses which will help them improve their performance through digital innovation.”

Innovate Tees Valley is available to companies who employ fewer than 250 staff and have an annual turnover no greater than £40m per year.

Gerard Stephens, director of MPI, added: “We are delighted to be working alongside our partners in Innovate Tees Valley to use our expertise to provide tailored packages of support to Tees Valley small businesses to enable them to innovate and grow.”