Blog
The 7 networking events every North-East business owner needs to attend
Business is as much about who you know as what you know. And networking events are a great way of meeting people who can take your business to the next level. You never know – you could meet your next client or customer, or even someone that could completely transform the future of your business. … Read more
Meet the businesses taking part in our second incubator programme
We are absolutely thrilled to introduce the businesses taking part in our second incubator programme! After the success of our first round, we simply can’t wait to see how these companies develop over the next 6 months. First up… Heartwood Skills. Heartwood provide mentoring, training and skills to those not in education, employment or… Read more
Registering your first business: Everything you need to know
Setting up a new business can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This handy guide will walk you through everything you need to know to register your business with the minimum of fuss. Registering your business The first thing you need to do is decide on the legal structure of your business. You… Read more
Paying tax when you’re a small business
Are you looking to set up your business but confused about tax? This simple guide will take you through the types of tax you may come across and if you’ll need to pay them. Once you’ve registered a business, you must what taxes you have to pay and how much you need to pay. The… Read more
Meet the Mentors!
This month we’re delighted to introduce you to Blu Sky and Silbo, two highly experienced organisations that have joined forces to support the DCI programme to teach entrepreneurs how to manage money and raise investment at the right time and on the right terms. Blu Sky and Silbo will deliver workshops to our DCI entrepreneurs… Read more
5 blogs every start-up founder needs to follow
Blogs are an excellent way to keep up with the latest trends in all things entrepreneurship. In fact, there’s no better resource for getting to grips with a lot of the skills you need to master as a start-up founder, such as digital marketing and online accounting. In this article, we’ve pulled together our pick… Read more
5 podcasts every start-up founder needs to listen to
Over the past few years, podcasts have exploded in popularity, with millions of people listening to their favourite shows every day. As a start-up founder, podcasts are the perfect way to make the most out of your commute and any down time you have. But with so many incredible business podcasts out there to learn… Read more
5 books every start-up founder needs to read
Books have some of the highest ROI you’ll ever find. For the price of a bottle of wine, you can access insights from people who’ve achieved exactly what your setting out to achieve and then laid it out for you as a structured narrative. However, there’s thousands of business books out there – and it’s… Read more
6 essential skills every entrepreneur needs to master
When you choose to become an entrepreneur, you pick “the path less travelled”. Unlike a software developer, a salesperson, or a secretary, your career path isn’t laid out in front of you with clear steps up the corporate ladder. Because of this, it can be a lot harder for anyone forging their own trail to… Read more
7 reasons you should start up your business in Durham
So you’ve made the decision to start your own business? You have your idea – you may even have your business plan finalised or your very first customer lined up. But, importantly, where is your business going to call home? Naturally, we are biased – we love our city and the area is thriving. But… Read more