Newcastle is nurturing a research and innovation ecosystem that is driving inclusive economic growth across the city and providing a growing number of opportunities for investment.
Newcastle is the commercial heart of North East England with an urban population of 300,000 and an urban economy worth £9.9bn. The city has a long history of technological innovation and nurturing groundbreaking advancements across a range of fields.
Today, Newcastle is the UK’s premier test bed location, a ‘living lab’ for rapid innovation, demonstration and commercialisation of products and services to create a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy. From world-class universities, colleges, hospitals and health trusts to a diverse business community, innovation ecosystem and talented workforce, Newcastle’s investment proposition is built on solid foundations.
The city offers access to £30bn of investable opportunities across the region and is covered by a £4.2bn devolution deal, including a £1.4bn (£48m per annum) investment fund. Newcastle is also a smart city driving the global data-driven revolution and holds the distinction of being the first city worldwide where the local authority, hospital trust, and universities jointly declared a climate emergency and committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
Boasting a highly educated and interconnected population, Newcastle has 60,000 students enrolled at its two city centre universities and benefits from convenient transportation links by road, rail, and air that connect seamlessly to all areas in the UK.
What sets Newcastle apart is its friendly, open, and supportive business community. This environment, characterised by low start-up costs and close collaboration among key institutions, fuels the growth of industries of the future.
Investing in Newcastle means investing in a ‘Goldilocks City’ offering a commercial ecosystem that strikes the perfect balance – small enough to make a big impact in the market, but also large enough to generate a big return on investment.
Strengths
The strengths of our city
Healthy Ageing & Longevity
Newcastle is developing a testbed for healthy ageing and longevity, with institutions such as Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing working to actively shape a healthier future for humanity.
Research and Innovation
Newcastle boasts the highest concentration of researchers in the UK outside London, with leading universities and innovation districts powering new discoveries and technology in an open and collaborative ecosystem.
Smart and Sustainable City
Newcastle is leading the smart city and green industrial revolutions, with advanced data monitoring centres and emerging strengths in offshore renewable energy, paving the way for a greener, more connected future.
Creative and Cultural Power
Newcastle is a hub for creative talent, underpinned by development agencies like North East Screen, Generator and New Writing North, which are nurturing creative entrepreneurs and supporting a vibrant creative industries ecosystem in the city.
Live, Work, Play
Newcastle offers a high standard of living for its residents and a world-class cultural experience for visitors, with excellent connectivity, easy access to natural beauty, diverse leisure attractions a vibrant evening economy.
Sectors
Newcastle is leading the way on research and innovation to deliver a greener, fairer world.
A diverse and agile workforce
Newcastle is an international city with a highly developed urban economy powered by a workforce that is diverse, educated and loyal. The number of people working in high-skilled jobs is higher than both the regional and UK average.
We are a Northern Research Powerhouse – the largest concentration of researchers in the UK outside of London between Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham Universities.
2.7m regional workforce - a diverse labour market with loyal staff and lower attrition rates than the national average within a 1-hour drive of Newcastle.
Educated workforce – 44.3% of employees hold a degree level qualification and 62.9% hold 2 or more A-levels.
60,000 students – a regenerative pipeline of talent with the highest proportion of STEM graduates per head of the population of any region in England.
18,000 international students – a global pool of talented learners bringing extensive second language capabilities and new cultural experiences to the city.
A well connected location
Newcastle is a gateway to the UK and the rest of the world. We have an international airport close to the city centre which connects people to the UK, Europe and rest of the world, with over 70 destinations to fly to and from. We have a European Cruise Terminal situated under 30 minutes away which provides sustainable links to mainland Europe.
Our train station located in our city centre is at the heart of the UK’s national rail network with London, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester all reached in less than three hours. We also have the Tyne and Wear Metro – a fast and convenient light rail system connected all parts of the North East with the commercial centre of Newcastle.
Port of Tyne and Blyth – two of three deep water ports in the North East region that are easily accessed from Newcastle and offer state-of-the-art logistics solutions.
A1(M) Motorway – a major north-south road which connects Newcastle with London and Edinburgh directly and provides access to all other major roads in the UK.
Stellium Data Centre – a state-of-the-art facility offers top-tier data and connectivity services via a new international subsea cable connecting Newcastle to New York in just 66 milliseconds.
Full Fibre Rollout – a £62m project that has seen 415km of superfast fibre-optic broadband laid beneath the streets of Newcastle, connecting households and businesses to the internet more quickly.
Infrastructure
Take a look and see why being part of Newcastle makes great business sense.
Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a Russell Group university with a global reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking advancements in fields ranging from healthcare and ageing to data and sustainable development.
Northumbria University
Northumbria University is a former Times Higher Education University of the Year that continues to raise the bar on research and innovation in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace, energy systems and creative industries.
National Innovation Centre for Data
The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) is an international centre of excellence focused on advancing research in the field of data science and exploring opportunities related to data-driven technologies.
UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing
The UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) is a world-leading organisation advancing research and commercialisation in the field of healthy ageing and longevity to create a society that is better equipped to meet the opportunities and challenges associated with the ageing population.
International Centre for Life
International Centre for Life is a pioneering scientific hub fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation in life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare for global advancements and discoveries.
Newcastle International Airport
Newcastle International Airport is a bustling air travel hub connecting the North East to more than 80 destinations and serving as a global gateway to Europe and the wider world.
Newcastle Central Station
Newcastle Central Station is a historic railway hub on the East Coast Main Line connecting Newcastle to London and Edinburgh directly and linking communities across the whole of the UK.
Stellium Data Centre
Stellium Data Centre is a secure, high-capacity fibre network routeing to mainland Europe and the USA via the North Atlantic Loop.
Urban Observatory
Based on Newcastle Helix, the Urban Observatory is home to the UK’s largest source of urban open data which deploys more than 1,000 sensors across Newcastle and Gateshead, measures over 60 environmental indicators from air quality and flooding to biodiversity and makes 2,000 observations every minute.
Global Underwater Hub
Global Underwater Hub represents the UK’s £8bn underwater industry, working to foster innovation in marine sciences and industries worldwide, driving advancements in subsea research and sustainable aquatic solutions.
Port of Tyne
Port of Tyne is a vital maritime gateway on the North Sea coast, serving the world’s largest wind farm at Dogger Bank and acting as a strategic hub for international trade and commerce.
Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
The £150 million ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland houses world-leading testing and validation facilities.
PROTO
PROTO is a state-of-the-art digital production facility helping companies to create more immersive experiences using 3D scanning, optical motion capture and a virtual LED stage. PROTO, Abbott's Hill, Baltic Business Quarter, Gateshead NE8 3DF
Centre for Process Innovation
CPI focuses on advancing processes and technologies across various industries, collaborating with businesses and research institutions to drive development in manufacturing, healthcare and energy.
North East Futures UTC
North East Futures University Technical College is a specialist educational institution for 14-19 year olds that teaches hands-on, industry-relevant learning experiences in fields such as science, technology and engineering.
Funding
Investment Zones
The new North East Mayoral Combined Authority is designated as one of 12 UK Investment Zones to enable the creation of comprehensive incentives for attracting investment in the local economy around strategic sectors such as green industries and advanced manufacturing. Investment zone sites can also benefit from 100% retention of business rates growth over an agreed baseline for 25 years.
North of Tyne Inward Investment Fund
£10m is available through the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) to support businesses looking to invest and create jobs in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The NTCA Inward Investment Fund can contribute up to 10% of capital costs, with grants of between £100,000 up to a maximum of £1m.
North East Development Capital Fund
North East Development Capital Fund can invest from £400,000 to £2m to support established businesses via debt finance, mezzanine loans or equity investment to help fulfil their growth potential.
Northstar Ventures
Northstar Ventures is a UK-based venture capital firm dedicated to supporting innovative businesses. With a focus on social and economic impact, they provide funding and expertise to help startups and entrepreneurs thrive, contributing to the growth and success of North East England and beyond.
NEL Fund Managers
NEL Fund Managers is a prominent investment firm specialising in fund management and finance solutions. NEL manages the Growth Capital Fund, providing between £100,000 and £500,000 of unsecured investment to ambitious companies which need additional finance to boost growth or to consolidate their market position.
Maven Capital Partners
Maven Capital Partners is a leading private equity and alternative asset manager with a focus on supporting entrepreneurial businesses. Operating across the UK, they provide strategic investments and expertise in North East England, fostering growth and contributing to the success of a diverse range of enterprises in various sectors.
Mercia Asset Management
Mercia Asset Management is a leading fund manager that provides equity and debt to UK businesses with growth ambition. A key investor in North East England, Mercia is dedicated to cultivating the success of dynamic businesses.
BGF
Business Growth Fund is a £3.5m programme of investment funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that supports business growth across the areas of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North Of Tyne Combined Authority, Sunderland City Council.
Northern Accelerator
Northern Accelerator is an exciting collaboration between the North East’s universities, creating real-world impact from world-leading research, commercialising innovation and boosting the region’s economy.
Ignite Accelerator
Ignite is an early-stage accelerator programme for start-ups with high-scaling potential (usually tech). Established in 2011 it’s supported more than 500 founders, who between them have raised hundreds of millions in investment and created hundreds of jobs.
