The Business & IP Centre North East is part of the national BIPC network, all operating from within Libraries. We are a free source of information and advice for inventors, start-up businesses, and existing businesses based in the North East of England. Originally established in 2011 as BIPC Newcastle, we were the country’s first regional Business & IP Centre providing a service for the North East business community. Now operating as BIPC North East, BIPC Newcastle (located at Newcastle City Library) remains our regional centre. BIPC Newcastle coordinates and supports the activities of 6 newly launched BIPC Local Centres, which are located across the width and breadth of our proud & diverse region: Berwick Library: Northumberland Morpeth Library: Northumberland Hexham Library: Northumberland Sunderland Library North Shields Library The Word Library How can we help support you; Experts in Residence We have a friendly and knowledgeable team of 30+ local experts who are on hand to offer 121 appointments to discuss a wide range of topics suitable to your business needs, ranging from finance and funding, marketing and communication, intellectual property and law and much more. Marketing Intelligence Access free market research and trends, company data, and business news from online databases like COBRA, Mintel, Key Note and Avention to help build your business strategy. Intellectual Property Do you have an idea or invention but are unsure how to go about protecting it? Our helpful and insightful team have 30 years’ experience of providing intellectual property advice to North-East innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs and more than happy to help your business understand the most suitable forms of IP protection and provide information on carrying out patent searching. Start-up Business Advice Receive 121 advice from an expert; attend skill-building workshops; and learn where to get funds for your business. Contact us today: bipcnortheast@newcastle.gov.uk