Tees Valley Export Fund

Businesses which meet the following criteria can apply:

• Must be located and trading in Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees)
• Must be trading for a minimum of 12 months  Must have an existing, demonstrable interest in exporting (e.g. having previously participated in DBT Export Academy Course or carried out sector-specific export research). This list is not exhaustive.
• Must have capacity to complete and claim for grant project activity by the end of August 2026

Applications from businesses in the following sectors are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Business & Professional Services
• Construction
• Culture & Leisure
• Digital & Creative
• Education
• Health & Biologics
• Health Care
• Process Chemicals and Energy

We can fund the cost of revenue items that have a strong likelihood of helping a business start exporting, or of increasing/diversifying their current exports, e.g.

• Attending trade events and/or purchase of trade stand equipment
• Adapting your website and/or marketing materials for audiences abroad
• Help with fees for export-related consultancy or legal advice
• Buying or carrying out market research

The above list is not exhaustive.

• Production/operational costs, including product development or modification
• Routine revenue expenditure
• Capital expenditure
• Salary/employment costs
• Intellectual property and costs associated with product patent
• Any costs relating to the transport and logistics of exporting goods, e.g. insurance, documentation services, packaging, warehousing
• Activities that support general business processes rather than development of international markets
• Recoverable VAT
• Projects/purchases that have already taken place
• Projects/purchases that won’t be completed before the end of August 2026

Businesses can apply for one grant of between £3,000 and £10,000.

25% match funding is a requirement of this programme.

This means businesses have to fund 25% of the total project cost themselves.

Businesses interested in applying for a grant should register their interest, by clicking here.

Someone will be in touch for an initial discussion to check eligibility and that this support is the right fit for your business. Eligible businesses will then be sent a full online application to complete and will be supported through this process.

A decision panel will be held every two weeks. We aim to notify you if your application has been successful or not with one month at the very latest. The panels decision on your application is final, and unsuccessful applications will not be reviewed.

You will be sent a funding agreement to sign. Once you have signed this, you can start your project/purchase your item(s).

When you have completed and paid for your project, you will submit a claim form (provided with your funding agreement), along with relevant receipts and invoices, and the grant will be paid to you.

Payment usually takes no longer than 10 working days.

All successful grant applicants are expected to take part in project evaluation activities.  This normally involves completing a short form 3-6 months after you complete the project, telling us about the impact the grant has had on your business. From time to time, and if appropriate, we might also ask you to participate in export related PR and communications activities.