Information Technology
What do you want to learn?
- I want to know more about expanding our IT infrastructure
- I need to ensure we have the right data security practices in place
- I want to find the right software to improve my business processes
- I want to understand more about website design
- I want to know what IT and digital skills training is available
Although there is a lot of free or low-cost software available to meet your general needs as a start-up, your IT and digital needs may become more complex as your business expands and demand grows. In this section, our guidance and resources will help you understand more about the building blocks of expanding your IT infrastructure, what sort of specialist business software could be helpful to you, and how to ensure you are following best practice in data security. While you should not be expected to have the full range of experience and skills of an IT manager, understanding the key principles will help you be more informed when making key decisions.
Get the IT and digital support you need
IT infrastructure
As businesses grow, the need for more structured, complex IT systems and processes can increase.
Website design
A high-quality website is a vital piece of your overall marketing strategy – find out what yours will need.
Data Security
Stay safe with tips on how to protect your business from threats to your premises and from rising cyber crime.
Training
Ensure you and your team are equipped with the right digital skills by accessing the correct training for you.
Software solutions
Find out what particular advice is applicable to the sorts of software systems you need.
Articles
Say ‘I do’ to getting your side hustle tax right
HMRC’s Help for Hustles campaign is here to help side hustlers get their tax right, quickly and easily - whether that’s wedding suppliers, parents earning from a hobby business or content creators making money from posting about the latest trends online.
CardioLogic Diagnostics Wins Innovation Supper
The fifth instalment of Innovation Supper saw Faye Singleton, Director of CardioLogic Diagnostics, take home the funding after delivering a compelling pitch for her life-saving business. Winning Innovation Supper has provided CardioLogic Diagnostics with seed funding that will help tackle one of the business's biggest early challenges: marketing. The prize money will support activities such as attending industry conferences and investing in paid advertising to reach more customers and raise awareness of the importance of accessible cardiac screening.
Strive Live Start-Up Incubator: Expression of Interest for Autumn 2026
Interested in joining a future cohort of Stive Live Start-Up Incubator? Find out more about the programme below, and register your interest to secure the first places when dates are confirmed.
Resources
Webinar Recording: Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks
Delivered by the North East Cyber Resilience Centre (NECRC), this webinar is designed to help SMEs strengthen their cyber resilience and understand the practical steps needed to protect their business from increasingly common cyber threats. Alongside this, attendees will be offered free membership of the NECRC and access to funded cyber security services.
Webinar Series: Data Protection
In this engaging and practical webinar series, Privacy Protect Group Ltd will guide you through everything you need to know to build a confident, compliant, and resilient approach to data protection in your business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your practices, each session is designed to build your understanding step-by-step.
Farm Business Support Programme: Webinar Recordings
This programme is a designed to help farm businesses understand where they are now, where they want to be next, and how to make confident decisions in a fast-changing industry. The focus is simple: real world, farm focused business skills that can be applied straight back at home.