Having worked with hundreds of startups and businesses through my roles at Sunderland Software City and Sunderland University, I realised just how difficult it was for busy founders to navigate the ever-changing funding landscape. That's why I founded the North East Support Directory, an AI-powered signposting tool that makes finding relevant grants, funding and business support opportunities a breeze.

Dominique is a North-East based specialist in innovation grant funding, particularly noted for her expertise with Innovate UK funding.
Dominique’s consultancy firm offers a comprehensive suite of innovation support services including business innovation funding strategy, grant application coaching and writing.
Through her support and guidance, Dominique has directly enabled her clients to secure over £28 million in innovation funding. She is also contracted Innovate UK grant application assessor and regularly works as an expert under contract with the European Commission, supporting Horizon Europe evaluations.
Dominique holds a PhD in Semiconductor Fabrication and amassed over 15 years of industrial experience in developing new manufacturing processes within the photonics, electronics, and renewable energy sectors.
During her time as Head of Research for a renewable energy SME, she acquired extensive knowledge of Innovate UK and EC innovation grant processes, excelling in writing successful funding applications and managing large, collaborative innovation projects.

Gemma Stephenson is a seasoned Business Engagement Officer drawing on many years of experience working as a Business Adviser helping hundreds of businesses navigate complex challenges, and opportunities that may arise.

In Gemma's current role at Business Durham, she has a deep understanding of tourism trends and has helped many tourism businesses grow, innovate, and thrive in competitive markets. Gemma can quickly get to grips with your business, and the heart of a problem.

Gemma has worked with clients on various funding programs such as Virgin Unite, Start Up Loans, Durham Business Growth Programme, and many more. Her understanding of the intricacies of public funding and UK Subsidy Control rules means she is well-positioned to help you with shaping your project and applying for funding. Gemma is excited to drive tourism business growth, contributing to economic growth within the region.

Co-Founder & Director of Ghostwriter, a leading live music consultancy, venue operator, and promoter. While not a traditional grant writer, I’ve secured over £8.5m in creative industry funding, including from Arts Council England and Innovate UK.

I recently raised £90k to fully fund the MVP of Gig Lab, our new tech platform for independent venues, backed by UKSPF funds and an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award.

Debbie is an Innovation Adviser for North East BIC, and is responsible for engaging with local businesses who have an innovative idea to grow their business. Part of her role is supporting all of the businesses on site at the BIC and utilising her banks of contacts to enable scale-up and growth.
For many years she worked in industry before moving into IT, then self employment. With this collective knowledge it opened the door to being a Business Adviser and is now a regular on the networking scene. She’s passionate about introducing new technology and innovation into businesses and has seen many companies transformed.

Laura Smith is the Knowledge Transfer Manager for the Digital Economy & Place at Innovate UK Business Connect. IUK Business Connect exists to connect innovators with new partners and to accelerate ideas into real-world solutions.

Laura has combined experience working in digital innovation in academic research and industry development for the last 20 years. Having managed large scale European and UK research grants and having started her own start-up in data visualisation using immersive technology.

Laura is focused on working across digital and Place based activity across UK regions to work together with innovation ecosystem partners to support regional innovation growth by connecting expansive ecosystems of people for collaboration and funding to drive positive change.

Charlotte Glendinning is a Fundraising Consultant specialising in grant funding and income generation for charities and social enterprises. With a strong background in bid writing and strategic support, she works with organisations across the UK to secure funding and build long-term sustainability. Charlotte combines practical coaching with hands-on grant application support to help charities grow their impact through effective fundraising.

Phil has over 20 years’ experience working in the business support space and making it easier for SMEs to do more and go further. I have experience advising and consulting entrepreneurs at all stages in their journey, from those just starting out and not sure where to turn first, to more established businesses looking to survive and grow.

Phil left his first career in graphic design in 2003 to take up a Business Support Adviser role at Barclays Bank and has been working with small businesses ever since. These roles include working as a Small Business Manager with Santander Bank, and as a Business Support Adviser with Business Link Northeast where he worked with hundreds of businesses from across the North East region.

In 2012 Phil joined UMi and has since held a number of business support roles across the organisation. Currently Phil helps businesses to get grant ready, setting them on the right path and ensuring they have clear understanding of the schemes and the landscape before starting their application journey.

Imran is the CEO and Founder of Alt Labs, a national award-winning innovation company.

Starting as a solo venture, it has landed substantial contracts with renowned entities such as the London North Eastern Railway, Transport for Wales, Go-Ahead Group and UCL, resulting in year-on-year growth. Imran's strategic leadership has transformed Alt Labs into the go-to provider for startups to FTSE 100 companies. His extensive expertise encompasses Growth Hacking, Digital Transformation, Mobile Apps, SaaS, Big Data, and Web Development, demonstrating his ability to fuse pioneering strategies with practical solutions, which Microsoft and the BBC have featured.

As part of Imran's accomplishments at Alt Labs, he has become an integral pillar of the global tech startup community. His mentorship has nurtured the growth of over 280 startups, guiding them in refining their technologies and securing over £28 million in contracts and VC funding.

In 2023, Imran launched Flok Co-Working Space in Teesside, a pioneering community of tech startups and established businesses looking at the future of office space.

With more than a decade of in-depth experience in Transport, Banking, Fintech, Retail, E-commerce and FMCG, Imran's leadership has also been recognised nationally. Under his guidance, Alt Labs was honoured as the FSB's 'Largest Small Business of the Year 2023'. Adding to its growing list of accolades, Alt Labs clinched the Tees Tech for Good award and Imran himself was celebrated as the Tees Valley BME Leader of the Year 2025 and named Tees Tech Ambassador of the Year 2025.