Business Support Programmes (2025-2026)
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Discover a wide range of support programmes designed to provide expert-led learning for businesses of every size, at every stage.
At the Growth Hub, we collaborate with a wide range of partners to deliver the highest quality support to our businesses. The information below highlights opportunities and services offered by the Combined Authority, local authorities, national government agencies, and the private sector, including both major national providers and local business experts.
This includes everything from self-service resources to comprehensive, long-term support programmes, as well as opportunities for networking. There are also a number of funding and finance opportunities available through the Growth Hub and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to help support your business growth.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or would like specific support, get in touch.
Explore Learning, Development and Support Programmes
Steps into Digital Programme
A fully-funded supportive, paced approach to digital transformation, accessible and manageable to all at any level.
Strive Live Start-Up Incubator: October 2025
Join this award-winning incubator designed to help grassroots entrepreneurs launch their business.
Tourism & Hospitality Support Programmes
Support tailored for the tourism and hospitality sector designed to help you make the most of every season.
Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are funded, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills.
Business Resilience
As a business owner, it’s essential to understand the potential risks your business may face and where to find support when needed.
Peer Learning & Networking
Building genuine connections with fellow business owners can offer priceless insight and support, as many may be navigating similar challenges
Made Smarter
If you’re a manufacturing business that is looking to increase the use of technology and expand your business capabilities, the Made Smarter programme could help.
Start & Grow Y&NY
If you are a business based in York or North Yorkshire or you are setting up a business, we have a brand new business support programme to help turn your visions and plans into reality.
York and North Yorkshire Work and Skills Interchange
The York and North Yorkshire Work and Skills Interchange will offer advice and make connections for people seeking work, or trying to stay in work.
Business Basics Series
Whether you’re preparing for investment, or brushing up on the fundamentals, these webinars and resources are suitable for all.
Adult Skills Fund
Discover how the Adult Skills Fund can benefit your business. Courses may be fully or part-funded, dependant on learner eligibility criteria.
DBT International Trade
Department for Business & Trade support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
Funding and Finance Opportunities
YNY Equity Hub
The YNY Equity Hub has been designed to address this barrier, offering a user-friendly portal where businesses can effectively present their investment opportunities and highlight their growth potential to investors nationwide.
Steps into Digital Voucher Scheme
Providers will collaborate with business’s on a one-to-one basis, delivering tailored support that aligns with specific digital needs and objectives. This personalised approach ensures the guidance received is both relevant and practical. Phase one is now closed.
Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund
Applications for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are now closed. Discover your local High Street Coordinator.
Business Innovation Fund
This fund includes a Sector Activity programme, Spin-Out & Start-Up programme, Get Exporting programme, Great Ideas programme, and Get Funded programme. Visit the page to see the full list of deadlines.
Business Sustainability Programme
At its core, the programme is about supporting businesses, delivering climate action and contributing to the economic growth of our region. Closing 19 September.
Find your local business advisor
If you’re based in North Yorkshire, visit; Business North Yorkshire | North Yorkshire Council
If you’re based in York, visit; Grow Your Business | City of York Council
For subject specific support, visit; Help & support for businesses in York & North Yorkshire | Y&NY Growth Hub
Articles
Business Basics – Project Evaluation
Projects can be anything from taking on a new person, or launching a new product, to building a manufacturing site, or acquiring a business to merge with the current one. How you evaluate each project can vary depending on size and complexity. But undertaking the exercise leads to better decision making and control.
Innovation Supper provides funding boost for First Leaf Farm
The event followed its now well-established format: attendees enjoyed supper while hearing from local entrepreneurs, each given ten minutes to pitch their business idea followed by questions from the audience. At the end of the evening, participants voted to decide which business would receive the proceeds from ticket sales, providing both a financial boost and valuable exposure to an engaged local network.
Building Resilience and Sustainability into your Farming Business
Resilience and sustainability lie at the heart of modern farm business strategies, ensuring that agricultural enterprises can withstand economic shocks, adapt to evolving environmental regulations, and maintain profitability amid climate volatility. By embedding sustainable practices, ranging from energy efficiency to regenerative soil management, farmers not only safeguard their livelihoods but also contribute to broader goals of food security and environmental stewardship.
Events
08th October 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🌎 Business Basics Webinar: Tax planning – Directors Loans and Dividends
Often business owners will inject cash into a business where they are a Director. This could be when the business is starting out, or to help with cash flow along the way. But how are these cash injections accounted for, and when can they be withdrawn?
10th October 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🟢 Steps into Digital: Basic Data Literacy Skills
Businesses generate data, through sales, customer interactions or internal operations. Yet many aren’t confident in understanding or applying it. This session introduces what data is, where it comes from and how it can be used to support better business outcomes.
14th October 20259:30 am - 12:15 pmFREE
Export Roadshow: Tadcaster
This roadshow is a great opportunity to network with other businesses looking to grow and ask questions of the experts. It will provide you with helpful advice, routes for support beyond the event, including the UK Export Academy, and information about other funding opportunities.
Resources
Webinar Recording: A Grassroots Approach to Thriving Towns
This webinar, funded through the Mayor’s Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, shares practical tools, inspiring stories, and proven strategies to activate your own high street on small budgets, from the ground up.
Webinar Recordings: LinkedIn Webinar SeriesLinkedIn Webinar Series
This three-part LinkedIn webinar series is designed to support you at every stage of your LinkedIn journey, from building a presence to leveraging the platform for business growth. Starting with Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn, Elevate Your LinkedIn, and finally Elevate LinkedIn for Business Growth.
Webinar Recording: IP Readiness for Investment: A Strategic Guide for Early-Stage Businesses
For early-stage businesses, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset on the table. Yet many founders underestimate how closely investors scrutinize IP during due diligence. Delivered by experienced Patent Attorney Melvyn Ansell, this session will explore how to turn your IP into a powerful lever for funding, valuation, and long-term growth.