Business Innovation & Funding

Business innovation should be an accessible goal for organisations of all sizes and does not always have to revolve around technology.
There are many ways in which businesses can think creatively about how they adapt to the rapidly evolving needs and tastes of their audience.
However, businesses are often restricted by a lack of finance, resources, time or know-how to get ideas off the ground. Plus, unpredictable world events can make it difficult for businesses to think about business innovation.
Our growth managers can work with you to refine your plans and, with strong links to partner organisations and educational establishments, help you find a route through any barriers that you may be facing.
In addition, we can provide innovation advice to organisations that are looking to relocate to York and North Yorkshire. Whether you are a foreign-owned or UK business looking to expand, relocate or invest, Invest in York & North Yorkshire can help.
We can help with:
- Cultural barriers
Challenges with cross-cultural communication, especially for businesses looking to expand into international markets.
- Structural barriers
Tackling natural or tactical barriers that arise preventing new entry into your market.
- Financial Barriers
Wanting to make change but lacking the funds to accomplish these goals
- Business communication
Improving internal and external practices and reducing errors by sharing information in the right way.
Fund your business innovation with 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 you access advice, support and even grant funding.
Whether you are completely brand new to digital technology, or you have already started your digitalisation journey, you will be able to receive bespoke advice on anything from skills and leadership to innovation strategies.
Adopting new technology can be daunting, but the Made Smarter scheme will enable you to get the best advice and support from the pioneers and experts in national and local industry bodies.
Made Smarter is encouraging the UK’s next industrial revolution by giving you the competitive edge in a rapidly-growing industry. The programme aims to bring the best out of the UK manufacturing industry by upskilling and encouraging collaboration and innovation – keeping us ahead of the competition in the global manufacturing stage.
Find out more about Innovation
To find out more about how we can help with Business Innovation, get in touch.
Articles
DJ Assembly Powers Up Productivity with £20k Made Smarter Grant
DJ Assembly, a thriving independent business, has secured a maximum grant of £20,000 from the Made Smarter programme. This funding will enable the company to acquire a Detech machine, a significant upgrade that will boost efficiency, productivity, and product quality.
Introducing Meld: North Yorkshire's new Business Community
Meld is a new community for people starting and running businesses in North Yorkshire. The team behind the project are building Meld to be a melting pot of ideas, support, advice, nice people and cool businesses. We hope this becomes a place you come to mix. connect. belong… and build.
Brilliant business support boosts Richmondshire’s Trimble Group
Trimble Group CEO Toby Trimble has hailed ‘game-changing’ Richmondshire business support, which is helping them flourish.
Events
14th December 20239:30 am - 11:00 amFREE
14 Dec - North Yorkshire Council: Connect Over A Cuppa
This free session for North Yorkshire SMEs will provide you with a space to share new ideas, solve problems, and connect with like-minded businesses. You will also get the chance to speak with specialists about support for your business.
04th January 202410:00 am - 4:00 pmFREE
4 Jan: The Artery: peer support for Craven
Creative business owners in Craven can now sign up for peer support in this new programme from Innovate Educate.
16th January 20247:00 pm - 9:00 pmFREE
16 Jan - Strive Live Start-up Incubator
Looking for start up support in York & North Yorkshire? Join this award-winning programme designed to help entrepreneurs.
Resources
Fire up your Food and Drink business with Make it! toolkits
A free video toolkit to help growing food and drink businesses in York and North Yorkshire. Essential ingredients for food and drink business success.
Screen Tourism Toolkit
A free screen tourism toolkit exploring the opportunities, showing best practice and connecting business with resources and support.
Glossary of Climate Change Terms for Businesses
A free digital glossary defining the key climate change terms relevant to businesses, to help you understand and engage with sustainability resources and support.