Rebel Business School returns to Hartlepool to launch the next generation of Tees Valley entrepreneurs.

HARTLEPOOL, UK – A globally renowned alternative business school is returning to Hartlepool this October to help individuals and small businesses turn their ideas into reality - without the need for loans or complex business plans.

The Rebel Business School will host an intensive, transformative programme for up to 45 people at the Innovation Centre at Hub One in Hartlepool, fully funded by Hartlepool-based charity The PFC Trust.

The face-to-face course kicks off on October 12 and will run daily from 10am to 4pm.

The initiative is open to aspiring entrepreneurs across the Tees Valley, as well as any existing early-stage businesses that have not yet started or haven't previously received support from Rebel.

Fabian Cardozo, Head of Operations at Rebel, said: “We are wanting to come and create some impact in the region to help people, change the way they think about business and approach with more confidence, enabling anyone to live the life they want.

“We try to provide an alternative route for business education by enabling communities across the country and across the North-East to test their ideas and try something new while reducing risk of trying.

“Traditional business education might not be accessible to them and we want to provide opportunities.

“Rebel is about making education accessible to anyone who wants to give business a go, because a lot of the traditional routes normally rely on someone telling you if the idea will work. This is a risk-free approach to test it themselves.”

Since its last visit to Hartlepool in 2022, the Rebel Business School has undergone massive global expansion.

The organisation has now helped over 65,000 people across 11 different countries and has already supported more than 800 new businesses to successfully launch in 2025 and 2026 alone.

Building on its work in the North-East - having successfully delivered programmes in Newcastle and Middlesbrough - Rebel is bringing its updated, cutting-edge curriculum back to Hartlepool.

While the core message remains the same - that anyone can launch a business without going into debt - the 2026 programme has been significantly updated to reflect the modern digital landscape.

The new agenda includes dedicated training on utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) for business, teaching attendees how to use AI tools to automate marketing, generate content and save time.

It also features updated strategies on navigating modern social media algorithms and utilising no-code website builders that weren't available during the 2022 course.

The PFC Trust, founded in 2019 to combat poverty and improve the life chances of people in Hartlepool and the surrounding areas, is fully funding the Tees Valley initiative to ensure there are no financial barriers to entry.

Frances Connolly, founder of The PFC Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to bring the Rebel Business School back to Hartlepool.

“At The PFC Trust, our core mission is to improve lives and create real opportunities for people in our community.

“Providing this fully funded programme is a fantastic way to help people build confidence and create their own success.

"Whether you have a brand new idea you’ve been too nervous to try, or you have an early-stage business that hasn't received our support yet, this is a risk-free chance to learn.

“By bringing Rebel back and updating the course to include incredible modern tools like AI, we are making sure our local entrepreneurs have the absolute best possible start.”

Places for the Hartlepool Rebel Business School are strictly limited to 45 attendees to ensure a high-impact, personal experience.

*To book your free place, or to find out more information, visit the Rebel Business School website at www.therebelschool.com/hartlepool