More Brilliant Entrepreneurs Primed For Backing Through Extended Tees Valley Labs Programme

An innovative programme which has provided our region’s brilliant start-ups and scale ups with advice and support to grow is back seeking more firms and ventures.

Tees Valley Labs has been relaunched for another year with three pathways for businesses to access laser-focussed support to develop.

The Stable Incubator and Forge Accelerator will continue on the back of a successful first year supporting more than 30 Tees Valley businesses with more than £1.5million.

And new for this year is “Pre-Flight” – a series of intensive two-day workshops focused on helping businesses develop their value proposition, ad-lib statement, and getting them ready to pitch and hit the market.

Teesside-based AI company Seer saw a multi-national takeover after taking part in the Forge programme.

This 12-week accelerator helps companies primed to scale up and attract significant investment.

The Forge also helped Carl Harris – Middlesbrough owner and founder of Harris Brick Safety Systems – change his outlook on his business.

Carl said: “It’s really opened my eyes. I didn’t want it to end.

“People have to get on board with this – it will really help entrepreneurs and businesses. It’s the financial help it offers too – and you make a lot of friends.

“They’re all there to help you – it is astounding.”

The Stable Incubator – a 6-month programme taking businesses from early formation and discovery through to market traction and funding – has helped 20 businesses access a total of more than £500,000 through two cohorts since its launch.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m incredibly proud we’ve backed the Labs programme – and the results it’s already delivered show the ambition and drive at the heart of our region.

“This is all about turning brilliant ideas into thriving businesses, creating jobs, and securing long-term investment. And it all ties into what we’re doing with our Development Corporation ambitions.

“We’re fostering innovation – and we’re doing more to support our lifeblood entrepreneurs across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Three in 10 of successful applicants across the last round of the Stable and Forge programmes were female – a higher proportion than the 18% of UK SMEs led by women.

Tees Valley Labs is run by Middlesbrough innovation consultancy Alt Labs on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Imran Anwar, CEO of Alt Labs and Tees Valley Business Board member for the Digital Economy, said: “Alt Labs are very excited to announce the relaunch of the Tees Valley Labs programme.

“Last year, The Stable incubator and The Forge accelerator proved the strength of Tees Valley’s innovation ecosystem, with the businesses acquiring clients, securing investment, creating jobs, and boosting diversity in entrepreneurship in our region.

“This year, backed by our previous success, we’re taking things even further. With the addition of Pre-Flight alongside The Stable and The Forge, Tees Valley Labs is creating an even stronger runway for innovative tech-based ventures to scale and succeed. Tees Valley Labs isn’t just about start-ups and scaling businesses, it’s about creating a pipeline of innovation, opportunity, and lasting regional growth.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, TVCA Cabinet Member for Inward Investment, added: “Tees Valley Labs is exactly the kind of support our innovators need. It’s cutting-edge, practical, and rooted in our communities.

“It’s great to see it helping Middlesbrough businesses and firms across Tees Valley unlock their potential and take the next step. I’d urge leaders looking to grow their ventures, or forge new links, to apply.”

Dates for the Pre-Flight Programme are:

September 16^th/17^th – Middlesbrough

September 18^th/19^th – Stockton

September 23^rd/24^th – Darlington

September 25^th/26^th – Redcar and Cleveland

September 29^th/30^th – Hartlepool

To find out more on booking a place on Tees Valley Labs, go to: Tees Valley Labs | Empowering the Innovators of Tomorrow.