Innovate Local Shaping the future of business in West Yorkshire

Supporting local innovation

As part of West Yorkshire Business Festival, Innovate Local West Yorkshire was an inspiring day of learning, networking, and empowerment. An opening keynote by venue host Jim Farmery from Production Park highlighted the incredible work for innovators in Wakefield. From using the facilities to trial new technologies, to their goal of becoming an institution able to offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the creative industries.

Sarah Bowes from West Yorkshire Combined Authority unearthed the ongoing hard work underway following the Local Growth Plan and Local Action Plan to make the region more prosperous by increasing opportunities for innovators.

Lee Viney, Innovate UK, Regional Manager, provided an overview of the different support available to businesses at various stages of their business journey through the Innovate UK system. He reiterated Innovate UK’s commitment to strengthen capabilities in places by increasing its regional presence.

We then heard from a series of support providers at Innovate UK Business Growth, Leeds Beckett University, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Challenge Works and Health Innovation Yorkshire and The Humber that demonstrated the breadth of available support both locally and nationally.
The overarching advice was for businesses to get in touch and if they aren’t the right person to help at this stage, they can introduce you to the person that is. There was a clear sense of partnership and collaboration amongst local support providers.

Businesses share their journey

A panel of business leaders who have harnessed innovation to transform their industries shared their varied experiences of innovating in business.

Faizaan Noyda from Newway spoke of how Innovate UK Business Growth helped them on their innovation journey. As an international student shesaw a gap in the UK market to address vitamin D deficiencies demonstrating that innovation can happen at any age of life.

Neil Dickinson from Holdson acknowledged the difficulty in writing applications in terms of SME’s typically being time-sensitive and the process of writing the applications themselves. Advice can be found on Innovate UK’s Good Application Guide. Neil advised the audience that to succeed in business, they should expand and strengthen their network, as you never know what opportunities may arise from a conversation with a stranger.

Claire Daniels from Trio Media, shared her experience in applying for various opportunities across multiple providers, and how the diversity in support from funding to 1-1 business support helped their business grow.

Nial Bullett from Arterius advised the audience to keep up to date with opportunities by signing up to newsletters, but also by expanding their network. Nial found that in expanding their network, they were able to hear of opportunities ‘hot off the press’ which allowed more time to write stronger applications.

Breakout sessions

If you were unable to make the event, you can view the programmes and opportunities mentioned in breakout sessions below:

Investor Partnerships

A three-year initiative to boost Future Economy-focused SMEs through aligning grant funding for R&D development with investment from partnerships with credible investor partners.

No Limits

Whether you’re a student, a start-up, or an individual creator, No Limits connects you to the right opportunities. Unlock the resources you need to bring your ideas to life, develop your talent, build your skills, and secure investment for innovation with the best initiatives from across the UK.

Create Growth programme

Delivered by regional teams, creative businesses with high-growth potential will be able to apply for support to help them prepare for investment and grow their business. Each region has its own distinct approach and bespoke programme, tailored to the businesses in its cohorts. Some regions specialise in certain sub sectors, whereas others pride themselves on a broad range of talent.

Health

Innovations in health & care allow us to alleviate suffering, increase quality of life and life expectancy, and manage the needs of a changing and ageing population. Innovate UK Business Connect covers the whole sector by focusing on the broad sub sectors of Medicines, Medical Technology and Digital Health.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

KTPs connect ambitious businesses and organisations with academic experts to turn innovative ideas into reality. The programme is celebrating its 50th anniversary

About Innovate Local

The Innovate Local programme is now in its sixth year and provides an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to find out more about the products and services offered through Innovate UK and our local partners, that can help guide and transform businesses.

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.