Ready to innovate?

About Arrow You’ll be amazed at the difference working with Arrow can make

We can open the door to fresh thinking, scientific expertise and technical facilities for your project, so you can get results that drive a sea-change in your success. We do this by acting as your gateway to the wealth of knowledge at four world-class universities.

In a nutshell, we link business with knowledge and research to help foster success in our region.

The partner universities

We are a collaboration between Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland. Each of these famous institutions is based in the North East of England and each one has its own specialities and fields of expertise. The Arrow team will listen to your needs and hone in on exactly the right support for you whether that’s access to top-flight lab facilities or a face-to-face with a leading academic.

Newcastle University Northumbria University The University of Durham University of Sunderland

Newcastle University

Newcastle University is a research-intensive University whose world-class experts and cutting-edge facilities are driving change.

Its areas of expertise include world-leading research in bio-technology, cancer and drug discovery. Newcastle University is home to the internationally renowned Newcastle University Business School and leading innovation hubs including the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD), National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA).

Durham University

Durham University has a global reputation for excellence. It’s boundary-breaking research improves lives globally and it is ranked as a world top 100 university with an international reputation in research and education (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Durham University works with businesses to explore innovative solutions tapping into a wealth of multi-disciplinary knowledge, world-class facilities, and extensive networks particularly focusing in areas such as energy and sustainability, health and life sciences, and data science and AI.

Northumbria University

A research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all, changing lives regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Northumbria University works in collaboration with organisations across many sectors and has a highly engaged research community across several specialist areas of expertise. It works with commercial partners to develop insight, solutions and new products including in areas which support sustainability and the NetZero agenda with a focus on Advanced Materials and Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry.

University of Sunderland

The life changing University of Sunderland has a long-established commitment to widening participation, world-leading research, and public and private sector collaboration.

The University’s research community is engaged in high-quality research in areas including Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Science; Computing; Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Nursing, Care and Health inequalities; Economic and Social Inclusion; Arts, Media and Creative Practice; our Research Centres in Management, Business, Tourism, Education, Media, Culture and Social Sciences.

How we're funded

We are part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund is providing £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The aim is to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities, supporting local business, people and skills.

The funding is distributed through North of Tyne Combined Authority (now administered by the North East Combined Authority) and Durham County Council are the lead authorities in their respective areas.

Get the real-world results you’ve been dreaming of

Greg Short

Director, Fyto

The Arrow project exceeded our expectations, providing in-depth and broad expertise in our areas of interest.
Read Success Story
Jurek Kozyra

Founder CEO of Nanovery

Working with Newcastle University helped us identify gaps in our team and has allowed us to employ more staff and fund PhD students. We have also cemented our relationship with the University's Centre for Cancer.
Read Success Story
Dylan McKee

Co-founder of Nebula Labs

The project went really well because NICD are obviously specialists at what they do and we are specialists at the technology that we work with. So, the two of us coming together was a really good combination and collaboration because we brought our skills from the app sector and they added their expertise in AI, data analysis and machine learning.
Read Success Story
Janine Craig

Shop by Shape Founder

That first conversation with Arrow was a revelation. I hadn’t realised how much help was available from the Universities right on my doorstep. The expertise and brilliant minds at the National Innovation Centre for Data have accelerated my progress in a way I’d never thought possible.
Read Success Story
Louise Thompson

Founder and CEO, Myfolks

I strongly recommend Arrow to any business or project with a scientific need that’s holding them back. My collaboration with the Arrow team wasn’t just about academic insight, it was about creating something meaningful together. Arrow accelerated Myfolks’ progress, provided valuable credibility and turned a daunting challenge into a manageable and rewarding journey.
Read Success Story
Nick Read

Founder, Vita-Rhize

Our partnership with Arrow has provided access to technology and research resources that we were unable to access ourselves and has provides a real-world boost to our business. The project has not only helped us advance our product from Technology Readiness Level 3 to Technology Readiness Level 7, but it has also given us the confidence and resources we need to keep pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and we wholeheartedly recommend Arrow to any business looking to innovate and make a positive impact.
Read Success Story
Chris Archer

Production Manager, Corehaus

The partnership with Arrow has been a game-changer for us. It’s helped us overcome significant operational challenges and reinforced our commitment to excellence and innovation in the modular housing industry. The insights and support we received have informed strategic decisions that will drive our business forward and, more importantly, improve our ability to make a positive impact on society.
Read Success Story
Mark Bennett

Founder and Owner, Carerflare

Arrow gave me critical support that has significantly boosted Carerflare’s confidence in achieving its objectives. The Arrow project has been pivotal in reducing development time and helping me leap over potential pitfalls. The path to market now looks smooth and we’re eager to get cracking.
Read Success Story
Matt Wilson

Managing Director, Intelligent Gels

Arrow gave us the tools to tackle a complex problem head-on. Their approach has not only advanced our product development, but strengthened our partnership with Durham University, setting the stage for future innovation in the region.
Read Success Story
David Irwin

founder, David Irwin Design

The Arrow team at Northumbria University exceeded every expectation, pushing the project forward in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The Arrow project was a turning point for my business – I really couldn’t have achieved all this without them.
Read Success Story
Roxana Montazerian

CEO and founder, ROXID

The project with Arrow and NICD helped us understand the potential of AI in our field and connected us with world-class experts. Their support was instrumental in shaping our digital application and securing further funding and investment.
Read Success Story
Lee Callender

Founder, WindoWeb

Arrow’s support has been invaluable and arrived just when I needed it most. Their professionalism, speed and enthusiasm helped me transform a ten-year-old concept into a tangible product. I’d recommend Arrow to anyone—there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Read Success Story
Andrew Turner

Founder, Andrew Turner Inventions

The expertise provided by Arrow was incredibly valuable. Their specialised knowledge helped solve a very niche problem, and their support exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend Arrow to anyone needing targeted academic expertise to advance their innovation.
Read Success Story
Vahid Walker

Founder, Walker Subsea Engineering

The Arrow programme has been instrumental in helping us refine our underwater battery technology. Northumbria University’s expertise in fluid chemistry gave us insights that we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. Beyond technical support, the connections and networking opportunities have been invaluable. This project has opened doors for continued collaboration, and we look forward to working with the University on future innovations.
Read Success Story
Leanne Tweddle

Philanthropy and Marketing Manager, Blyth Star

As an organisation, Blyth Star can be quite complicated to understand, but I feel like the team I was working with really got a handle quickly on who we are, what we do and where our limits lie, which helped them to deliver a project which had practical outputs which would help make a real difference.
Read Success Story
James Harriman-Smith

Senior Lecturer and Public Orator, Newcastle University

I would encourage colleagues to do an Arrow project as it provides a pathway to interact with local businesses, and a new way of looking at their research.
Ryan Waite

Research Scientist, LightOx

Working with Arrow allowed us to research a topic we wouldn’t have been able to spare the resources for internally. The work was done very well and produced results worth following up on. We would recommend Arrow to others.
Glenda Devlin

Founder and MD, Your Health and Care Ltd

Thanks to Arrow, I was able to realise and better understand specific business and market opportunities.
Dik Barton

COO & Founder, Armatrex

There’s no way as a start up SME commercial entity that we’d be where we are now without the support of Arrow.
Julie Wilson

Co-founder, Settld

Arrow helped us develop our MPV which helped us win two Innovate UK Awards and seed funding. I would definitely recommend working with Arrow
Jo Yuill

Founder, Yu Cook

Arrow has helped us move forward through research into recycled materials, research into energy efficiency, and support to prototype our product. It’s been so, so helpful to move our business forward.
Greg Short

Director, Fyto

The Arrow project exceeded our expectations, providing in-depth and broad expertise in our areas of interest.
Read Success Story
Jurek Kozyra

Founder CEO of Nanovery

Working with Newcastle University helped us identify gaps in our team and has allowed us to employ more staff and fund PhD students. We have also cemented our relationship with the University's Centre for Cancer.
Read Success Story
Dylan McKee

Co-founder of Nebula Labs

The project went really well because NICD are obviously specialists at what they do and we are specialists at the technology that we work with. So, the two of us coming together was a really good combination and collaboration because we brought our skills from the app sector and they added their expertise in AI, data analysis and machine learning.
Read Success Story
Janine Craig

Shop by Shape Founder

That first conversation with Arrow was a revelation. I hadn’t realised how much help was available from the Universities right on my doorstep. The expertise and brilliant minds at the National Innovation Centre for Data have accelerated my progress in a way I’d never thought possible.
Read Success Story
Louise Thompson

Founder and CEO, Myfolks

I strongly recommend Arrow to any business or project with a scientific need that’s holding them back. My collaboration with the Arrow team wasn’t just about academic insight, it was about creating something meaningful together. Arrow accelerated Myfolks’ progress, provided valuable credibility and turned a daunting challenge into a manageable and rewarding journey.
Read Success Story
Nick Read

Founder, Vita-Rhize

Our partnership with Arrow has provided access to technology and research resources that we were unable to access ourselves and has provides a real-world boost to our business. The project has not only helped us advance our product from Technology Readiness Level 3 to Technology Readiness Level 7, but it has also given us the confidence and resources we need to keep pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and we wholeheartedly recommend Arrow to any business looking to innovate and make a positive impact.
Read Success Story
Chris Archer

Production Manager, Corehaus

The partnership with Arrow has been a game-changer for us. It’s helped us overcome significant operational challenges and reinforced our commitment to excellence and innovation in the modular housing industry. The insights and support we received have informed strategic decisions that will drive our business forward and, more importantly, improve our ability to make a positive impact on society.
Read Success Story
Mark Bennett

Founder and Owner, Carerflare

Arrow gave me critical support that has significantly boosted Carerflare’s confidence in achieving its objectives. The Arrow project has been pivotal in reducing development time and helping me leap over potential pitfalls. The path to market now looks smooth and we’re eager to get cracking.
Read Success Story
Matt Wilson

Managing Director, Intelligent Gels

Arrow gave us the tools to tackle a complex problem head-on. Their approach has not only advanced our product development, but strengthened our partnership with Durham University, setting the stage for future innovation in the region.
Read Success Story
David Irwin

founder, David Irwin Design

The Arrow team at Northumbria University exceeded every expectation, pushing the project forward in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The Arrow project was a turning point for my business – I really couldn’t have achieved all this without them.
Read Success Story
Roxana Montazerian

CEO and founder, ROXID

The project with Arrow and NICD helped us understand the potential of AI in our field and connected us with world-class experts. Their support was instrumental in shaping our digital application and securing further funding and investment.
Read Success Story
Lee Callender

Founder, WindoWeb

Arrow’s support has been invaluable and arrived just when I needed it most. Their professionalism, speed and enthusiasm helped me transform a ten-year-old concept into a tangible product. I’d recommend Arrow to anyone—there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Read Success Story
Andrew Turner

Founder, Andrew Turner Inventions

The expertise provided by Arrow was incredibly valuable. Their specialised knowledge helped solve a very niche problem, and their support exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend Arrow to anyone needing targeted academic expertise to advance their innovation.
Read Success Story
Vahid Walker

Founder, Walker Subsea Engineering

The Arrow programme has been instrumental in helping us refine our underwater battery technology. Northumbria University’s expertise in fluid chemistry gave us insights that we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. Beyond technical support, the connections and networking opportunities have been invaluable. This project has opened doors for continued collaboration, and we look forward to working with the University on future innovations.
Read Success Story
Leanne Tweddle

Philanthropy and Marketing Manager, Blyth Star

As an organisation, Blyth Star can be quite complicated to understand, but I feel like the team I was working with really got a handle quickly on who we are, what we do and where our limits lie, which helped them to deliver a project which had practical outputs which would help make a real difference.
Read Success Story
James Harriman-Smith

Senior Lecturer and Public Orator, Newcastle University

I would encourage colleagues to do an Arrow project as it provides a pathway to interact with local businesses, and a new way of looking at their research.
Ryan Waite

Research Scientist, LightOx

Working with Arrow allowed us to research a topic we wouldn’t have been able to spare the resources for internally. The work was done very well and produced results worth following up on. We would recommend Arrow to others.
Glenda Devlin

Founder and MD, Your Health and Care Ltd

Thanks to Arrow, I was able to realise and better understand specific business and market opportunities.
Dik Barton

COO & Founder, Armatrex

There’s no way as a start up SME commercial entity that we’d be where we are now without the support of Arrow.
Julie Wilson

Co-founder, Settld

Arrow helped us develop our MPV which helped us win two Innovate UK Awards and seed funding. I would definitely recommend working with Arrow
Jo Yuill

Founder, Yu Cook

Arrow has helped us move forward through research into recycled materials, research into energy efficiency, and support to prototype our product. It’s been so, so helpful to move our business forward.
Ready to innovate?
See all success stories

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