North East STEM Foundation
North East STEM Foundation (NESF) is a registered charity delivering hands-on STEM events, careers days, and competitions for young people aged 5–16 across Tees Valley and County Durham, in partnership with schools, universities, and regional employers including Lockheed Martin and Airbus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersNewton Aycliffe, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What North East STEM Foundation does
North East STEM Foundation (NESF) is a registered charity (Charity No. 1187275) in England and Wales, founded around 2020 and operating across the North East region including Tees Valley and County Durham. Its mission is to break down financial and access barriers to STEM education for young people aged 5–16, delivering hands-on Primary STEM Events, STEM Careers Days, Space Events, and engineering competitions in partnership with schools, universities, and regional employers. Core programme outputs include the Pupil Passport pilot (650 pupils across nine Tees Valley schools, run with RTC North), the SPARK Tees Valley programme (3,000 students reached, 10 additional primary schools), and the Build the Villain's Machine competition with Ducati UK. The foundation has reportedly reached over 5,000 students across its programmes and partners with 38 schools.
North East STEM Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- North East STEM Foundation
- Legal name
- North East STEM Foundation
- Website
- https://nesf.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- North East STEM Foundation (NESF) is a registered charity delivering hands-on STEM events, careers days, and competitions for young people aged 5–16 across Tees Valley and County Durham, in partnership with schools, universities, and regional employers including Lockheed Martin and Airbus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
North East STEM Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM Education Outreach and Charitable Foundation Services
- NAICS
- Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)
Keywords
Where North East STEM Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newton Aycliffe
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
North East STEM Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Future Shapers Membership Fees: Monthly subscription fees from businesses joining the Future Shapers programme at Bronze (£50/month), Silver (£100/month), or Gold (£250/month) tiers, providing CSR benefits, networking, and brand exposure.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and businesses, including proceeds from annual charity dinners (£40,000 raised in 2025) and general fundraising activities.
- STEM Programme Funding: Funding for specific STEM initiatives including SPARK Tees Valley partnership enabling 10 additional primary schools and 3,000 students to access STEM materials. Direct support for school STEM projects and international competitions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Bronze Plan - £50/month: Logo on website, 1 LinkedIn shoutout, attendance at Annual Networking Event |
| Subscription | Monthly | Silver Plan - £100/month: 2 LinkedIn shoutouts, STEM Ambassador registration through RTC, access to Careers Advisors via NESF Delivery Plan |
| Subscription | Monthly | Gold Plan - £250/month: 4 LinkedIn shoutouts, 10% discount on NESF Dinner Table, Company Case Study, Opportunity to Sponsor NESF Dinner |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fund a STEM Day - £2,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fund the Pupil Passport Scheme - £250 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
North East STEM Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The North East STEM Foundation is a registered charity (Charity No. 1187275) that delivers STEM outreach programmes and educational events for young people aged 5–16 across North East England. It organises Primary STEM Days, STEM Careers Days, employer-led workshops, and engineering competitions (e.g., Build the Villain's Machine), and runs a tiered business membership programme called Future Shapers (Bronze £50/month, Silver £100/month, Gold £250/month) alongside the Pupil Passport tracking scheme delivered with RTC North.
Product overview
The North East STEM Foundation (NESF) is a charitable organisation (Charity No. 1187275) offering a portfolio of STEM outreach programmes for young people aged 5–16 in the North East of England, alongside a business membership programme called Future Shapers. The core offering consists of Primary STEM Events and STEM Careers Days that bring together industry employers and students for hands-on workshops, complemented by the Pupil Passport scheme (run with RTC North) that tracks student engagement across their school journey. The Future Shapers Membership provides businesses with tiered Bronze, Silver, and Gold plans (starting at £50/month) to support STEM delivery and fulfil CSR objectives. Additional initiatives include the Build the Villain's Machine competition (in partnership with Ducati UK) and the SPARK Tees Valley programme funding STEM materials for primary schools. Fundraising options include the annual Charity Dinner and dedicated JustGiving page. The organisation does not offer a public-facing software product or API.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Future Shapers Membership Programme A tiered business membership programme (Bronze, Silver, Gold) for companies that want to support STEM education in the North East and gain CSR visibility, employee volunteering opportunities, and access to NESF's network of schools and universities.
- Pupil Passport Programme A school-based scheme developed with RTC North that tracks and rewards student participation in STEM activities, clubs, competitions, industry visits, and STEM Ambassador meetings across their school journey.
- Primary STEM Events (STEM Days) Large-scale hands-on STEM events for primary school pupils featuring workshops, practical challenges, and employer-led activities across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, hosted at partner schools.
- STEM Careers Day Career-focused events connecting secondary school students with regional STEM employers through a careers marketplace and practical workshops such as bridge-building and DNA extraction.
- SPARK Tees Valley Programme A programme funding STEM materials and activities for primary schools, having enabled 10 additional schools and 3,000 students to access STEM resources across the Tees Valley.
- Build the Villain's Machine Competition A secondary school engineering competition in partnership with Ducati UK, challenging students aged 11–16 to redesign a real Ducati motorbike as a high-performance villain machine, with a grand prize including a Ducati and Silverstone experience.
- STEM Ambassador Programme A volunteer programme recruiting STEM professionals to visit schools, deliver workshops, and inspire young people about STEM careers, operated in partnership with STEM Learning (stem.org.uk) and RTC North.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 5,000 students reached across programmes from primary STEM days to international competitions
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use North East STEM Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
North East STEM Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
North East STEM Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
74 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Teesside UniversitycoreHosted STEM Careers Day at Teesside University, drawing more than 160 students aged 13-15 from ten schools across the Tees Valley region. The event featured a careers marketplace and employer-led workshops.
- 3M SciencecoreParticipated in STEM Careers Day at Teesside University, delivering employer-led workshops.
- Jiahua ChemicalscoreParticipated in STEM Careers Day delivering practical STEM activities.
- Steel Benders UKcoreParticipated in STEM Careers Day and featured as a supporter on NESF website.
- DucatimajorPartnered with NESF for 'Build the Villain's Machine' competition. Students design a villain's performance motorbike based on a real Ducati, with the winning team receiving exclusive Ducati & Silverstone Experience.
- Silverstone CircuitmajorPartner providing experience day for competition winners including guided tour, museum visit, and insight into motorsport engineering and innovation.
- New College DurhamcoreDelivered hands-on STEM Day in partnership with New College Durham, engaging 80 Year 9-11 students from four schools across County Durham in workshops covering civil engineering, maths, physics, and advanced manufacturing.
- Dyer EngineeringcoreNESF business member led practical sessions at New College Durham STEM Day, demonstrating skills required in modern manufacturing.
- SMS TechnologycoreNESF business member demonstrated the role of digital innovation in STEM careers through hands-on sessions.
- Yarm Preparatory SchoolcoreHosted major two-day STEM Partnership event with 430+ pupils from 11 Tees Valley primary schools. 13 leading businesses delivered hands-on activities including DNA extraction, wind-powered car racing, and robotics.
- Balfour BeattycoreContributed to STEM Partnership event at Yarm Preparatory School, showcasing construction and engineering career opportunities.
- CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)coreParticipated in STEM Partnership event delivering workshops on advanced manufacturing and innovation.
- Sir Robert McAlpinecoreSupported STEM Partnership event as major industry supporter, providing hands-on engineering activities.
- AltradminorParticipated in STEM Partnership event at Yarm Preparatory School.
- Tony SwanwickminorIndividual contributor delivering electronics engineering expertise at STEM events.
- AirbuscorePartnered with Airbus Defence and Space for Newcastle University Space Event. Airbus supports the North East space ecosystem through its 'Community for Space Prosperity' initiative and is committed to inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.
- Newcastle UniversitycoreHosted Space Event at Newcastle University's cutting-edge Stephenson Building, bringing together 160 students from regional schools for hands-on activities, expert talks, and encounters with space sector innovations.
- Yarm SchoolcoreHosted STEM partnership day for primary school children from across the region. Leading employers delivered workshops covering chemical testing, infrastructure planning, robotics, and sustainability.
- MGL GroupcoreDelivered workshops at Yarm School STEM day covering construction and engineering topics.
- TracercocoreParticipated in STEM partnership day delivering engaging workshops on technology and innovation.
- JacobscoreDelivered workshops at Yarm School STEM day on engineering and infrastructure planning.
- Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies UKcoreParticipated in STEM partnership day delivering workshops on biotechnology and manufacturing.
- TekmarcoreDelivered STEM workshops on engineering and technology topics.
- SRG TalentminorParticipated in STEM partnership day covering recruitment in STEM fields.
- Tony SwanwickminorFormerly of BAE Systems, shared 35 years of electronics engineering experience spanning telecoms to military vehicles.
- Jim ChristensenminorChief Innovation Officer at Aldrin Family Foundation and former Education Director at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, virtually joined space event to inspire students.
- RTC NorthcorePartnered to launch the Pupil Passport pilot programme with St Pauls Catholic Primary School in Billingham. Nine schools across the Tees Valley, involving over 650 pupils, are taking part. RTC North supports organisations in commercialising ideas and prioritises STEM initiatives.
- FiltroniccoreEmployer partner engaged 3,000+ children in immersive STEM experiences in 2024.
- HitachicoreEmployer partner engaged 3,000+ children in immersive STEM experiences in 2024.
- AESCcoreEmployer partner engaged 3,000+ children in immersive STEM experiences in 2024.
- ConocoPhillipscoreSponsoring Primary STEM Days scheduled for 8 May and 18-19 June, in partnership with Yarm Preparatory School.
- STEM LearningcoreNESF partners with RTC North to encourage individuals to register as STEM Ambassadors through STEM Learning's UK-based initiative.
- Tees Maritime ClustermajorNESF welcomed the establishment of Tees Maritime Cluster following £234,000 investment (including £117,000 DfT match funding). Cluster focuses on promoting maritime skills, encouraging business ecosystem development, and showcasing Tees Valley capabilities.
- PD PortscoreRiver Tees Statutory Harbour Authority, facilitated initial Project Delivery Group to lobby for Tees Maritime Cluster creation.
- AV Dawson LimitedminorPort of Middlesbrough operator, supported establishment of Tees Maritime Cluster.
- Tees and Hartlepool Port Users AssociationminorKey regional stakeholder supporting Tees Maritime Cluster establishment.
- Teesside UniversitycoreRepresented on Tees Maritime Cluster board of directors.
- WSPminorFeatured on NESF supporters page, provides engineering expertise.
- Meldrum GroupcoreCEO Dave Meldrum serves as NESF Trustee, company actively supports STEM events.
- Womble Bond Dickinson LLPminorLegal firm supported Tees Maritime Cluster establishment.
- Elite ConsultminorConsultancy supporting Tees Maritime Cluster establishment.
- Clive Owen LLPminorAccountancy firm supporting Tees Maritime Cluster establishment.
- RBTminorRepresented on Tees Maritime Cluster board of directors.
- SPARK Tees ValleycorePartnership enabled 10 additional primary schools and 3,000 students to access much-needed STEM materials. Funding supports STEM outreach programmes.
- Waterman AspencoreIndustry supporter providing time and resources to deliver impactful STEM workshops.
- AESCcoreIndustry supporter delivering STEM workshops in the region.
- CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)coreIndustry supporter delivering STEM workshops.
- Tridonic UK LtdcoreIndustry supporter delivering STEM workshops.
- Esh GroupcoreIndustry supporter providing STEM workshop delivery.
- TracercocoreIndustry supporter delivering STEM workshops.
- JacobscoreIndustry supporter delivering STEM workshops.
- ITS LimitedminorFuture Shapers member supporting NESF STEM outreach programmes.
- Brave and HeartminorFuture Shapers member supporting NESF STEM outreach programmes.
- HR2DayminorFuture Shapers member supporting NESF STEM outreach programmes.
- The PFC TrustminorFuture Shapers member, CEO Frances Connolly works with NESF on fundraising events.
- LK-UKminorFuture Shapers member supporting NESF STEM outreach programmes.
- Tekmar GroupcoreFuture Shapers member and industry supporter delivering STEM workshops.
- SRG TalentminorFuture Shapers member supporting NESF STEM outreach programmes.
- Tees Valley Combined AuthoritymajorCombined authority supporting STEM initiatives in the Tees Valley region.
- Business DurhammajorSupporting NESF initiatives in the Durham region.
- Ward HadawayminorLegal supporter of NESF, featured on supporters page.
- Corstorphine & WrightminorArchitecture firm supporting NESF.
- Cornerstone BSminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- Wilton EngineeringminorEngineering company supporting NESF.
- P&HSminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- K2CMminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- Big Nall GroupminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- Dura TechnologyminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- PP LimitedminorFuture Shapers member and supporter.
- WaterstonsminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- Smarter Stronger TogetherminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- Jackson HoggminorRecruitment firm supporting NESF.
- TeescraftminorSupporting NESF STEM initiatives.
- FiltroniccoreFuture Shapers member and supporter.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
North East STEM Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- STEM Learning: The UK's largest STEM education charity, operating the national STEM Ambassador programme — the same programme NESF routes volunteers through. Directly comparable as a STEM outreach nonprofit, but at national scale and with substantially larger funding.
- EngineeringUK: National charity focused on inspiring the next generation of engineers, running programmes like the Big Bang Fair and Tomorrow's Engineers. Comparable mission (STEM outreach for young people) with corporate and government partnerships across the UK.
- Primary Engineer: Charity bringing engineering into primary and secondary schools through hands-on projects and competitions. Closely aligned with NESF's school-based STEM delivery model, particularly for younger age groups.
- Smallpeice Trust: STEM education charity running residential courses, competitions, and school programmes to inspire young people into engineering. Similar in age range, mission, and reliance on employer partnerships.
- STEMettes: Award-winning social enterprise focused on inspiring and supporting girls and young women into STEM careers. Comparable youth STEM outreach mission with corporate sponsorship and event-driven delivery.
- EDT (Engineering Development Trust): Charity providing STEM experiences, mentoring, and industrial placements for young people across the UK. Comparable mission around STEM skill pipelines and employer-school bridging.
- Arkwright Scholarships Trust: Charity offering scholarships and mentorship to high-potential secondary school students pursuing STEM. Comparable in mission to identify and nurture future STEM talent, though focused on scholarships rather than events.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Academy of Engineering: National academy delivering engineering education programmes, policy work, and school engagement. Wider portfolio than NESF but overlaps significantly in school-facing STEM outreach.
- Institute of Physics: Professional body running education and public engagement programmes to promote physics. Overlaps with NESF on school STEM events and teacher/employer engagement, though much larger and broader.
Regional players
- Tees Valley Combined Authority: Regional authority that funds and coordinates STEM and skills initiatives across the Tees Valley — a key NESF partner and funder. Comparable regional focus and overlapping beneficiary base, though a public-sector entity rather than a charity.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
North East STEM Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceNorth East STEM Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
North East STEM Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
North East STEM Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
North East STEM Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about North East STEM Foundation
What does North East STEM Foundation do?
The North East STEM Foundation is a registered charity (Charity No. 1187275) that delivers STEM outreach programmes and educational events for young people aged 5–16 across North East England. It organises Primary STEM Days, STEM Careers Days, employer-led workshops, and engineering competitions (e.g., Build the Villain's Machine), and runs a tiered business membership programme called Future Shapers (Bronze £50/month, Silver £100/month, Gold £250/month) alongside the Pupil Passport tracking scheme delivered with RTC North.
Is North East STEM Foundation a public or private company?
North East STEM Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was North East STEM Foundation founded?
North East STEM Foundation was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is North East STEM Foundation based?
North East STEM Foundation is headquartered in Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does North East STEM Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Future Shapers Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and STEM Programme Funding.
Who are North East STEM Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are STEM Learning, EngineeringUK, Primary Engineer, Smallpeice Trust, STEMettes, EDT (Engineering Development Trust) and Arkwright Scholarships Trust. Broad incumbents are Royal Academy of Engineering and Institute of Physics. Tees Valley Combined Authority is listed as a regional player.
Does North East STEM Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for North East STEM Foundation.
What industry is North East STEM Foundation in?
North East STEM Foundation's product category is STEM Education Outreach and Charitable Foundation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAJAFAH, Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered). Its NAICS code is 813219 and its SIC code is 8200.