A power network of support services is essential to the growth and development of the region.
A rich mix of ingredients is needed to ensure business continues to grow and prosper in the Tees Valley.
From buildings to business advice and legal expertise to exporting knowhow.
All keep the wheels of industry turning.
The Business Link service provides essential advice to help firms start-up, survive and grow.
The new regional organisation went live in April 2007, combining teams from Tees Valley, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland.
It can help with everything from starting up, finance and grants to health and safety, sales, marketing and international trade.
The team can also advise on growing a business and evening buying or selling in operation.
Plus it provides access to more than 500 guides and over 70 interactive business tools via its website at www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business Services
The North East Chamber of Commerce is another organisation offering a comprehensive range of business services, products and expert training.
It helps members - currently standing at around 4,500 firms - realise their potential.
Location is also key to any business and major investment is happening in the Tees Valley to provide accommodation for everyone from small firms to major players.
Business Investment
Regeneration, business development and job creation remains a key issue for the area's five local authorities.
Teams in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington and Redcar and Cleveland are supporting new and growing businesses and attracting investment from those looking to establish themselves in the Tees Valley.
And the business investment team at Tees Valley Regeneration - the area's urban regeneration company - is working hard to bring new faces to the region.
Within the last two years more than £500m of investment has been attracted to the area and several thousand jobs created and secured.
Financial and legal expertise is another must for business.
The region is increasingly emerging as a legal market in its own right with a growing local, regional and national profile.
And there are many strong players in the Tees Valley including Dickinson Dees and Endeavour Partnership LLP - which both have offices at Teesdale in Thornaby - Jacksons Commercial and Private Law LLP of Stockton and Tilly Bailey and Irvine, which has offices in Hartlepool, Stockton, Wynyard and Barnard Castle.
New Talent
But people are the beating heart of any operation. And education and training is instrumental to business success.
From nurturing new talent through apprenticeships and college training to up-skilling current staff to cope with the challenges and opportunities ahead, having the right people in place is a number one priority.
And Tees Valley's network of schools, colleges, universities and training organisations are helping both companies and individuals maximise their full potential.