A project to create a legacy from the Great Exhibition of the North has supported 142 businesses and helped create 36 jobs.
The GX Project provided a range of support to help businesses in the North East expand, develop prototypes, and launch new products and services to market.
Overall, the project has contributed more than £1.5m to the local economy.
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Sarah Green, chief executive at NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) said: “The GX project was designed to build on our rich history as an innovative region by providing expert support and tools to help local companies innovate for growth and bring disruptive new ideas to market.
“Over the course of the project, I’m delighted we’ve been able to help so many innovative businesses fulfill their potential, and further strengthen our position as an innovative and forward-thinking place.
“At NGI economic growth is at the heart of everything we do and in challenging times it’s so positive to see the impact of the GX project, a legacy that will benefit our region for years to come.”
The project was delivered by NGI in partnership with the Innovation SuperNetwork. It was designed to build on the innovation legacy of the Great Exhibition of the North, which took place across NewcastleGateshead in 2018.
Estelle Blanks, CEO at the Innovation SuperNetwork, said: “The businesses we’ve worked with operate in a range of different sectors and have all brought a potentially market-changing idea to fruition, in many cases creating jobs as they’ve expanded and grown.
“Innovation is critical for businesses to remain relevant and profitable. This is especially important during such uncertain times, and it’s great to see opportunities have been created and the economy strengthened because of the work we’ve delivered here.”