Yorkshire and the Humber
Strengthening UK capability in places is key to our work with local leaders across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Yorkshire and the Humber Innovation Landscape
As the UK’s innovation system, we work across the country. We also know that each part of the country is unique with its own strengths and challenges. We are committed to working closely with partners and regional initiatives to ensure you get what you need to innovate and succeed.
Yorkshire and the Humber region has a population of over 5.5 million, a GVA of £117bn, 386 thousand businesses and 2.6 million employees, featuring in key sectors, such as: Advanced Manufacturing; Energy/Low Carbon; Food and Drink/Agri-Food; Health and Care; and Digital/Creative Industries.
The region is the birthplace of global success stories from games and education to telecoms and hardware. International brands such as Rolls Royce, Boeing, Burberry, McLaren, Nestle, Siemens, Reckitt Benckiser and Channel 4 have all come to the region to take advantage of local expertise. Recent start-up successes encompass the Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-security, data analytics, virtual reality, robotics, machine learning and AI, and sensor technology.
We have partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on a West Yorkshire Local Action Plan.
REGIONAL ACTION PLAN
West Yorkshire Action Plan
West Yorkshire aims to be a place that is globally recognised for developing an open, agile inclusive, thriving and coherent innovation ecosystem, commercialising cutting-edge products. This Local Action Plan sets an inspiring vision of strategic focus to grow the economy, while highlighting joint priorities of Innovate UK and West Yorkshire Combined Authority through regional collaboration. Watch the West Yorkshire Action Plan highlights video, and download the Action Plan.
Download Action Plan
Launchpads programme
Innovate UK Launchpad is a programme aimed at supporting emerging clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Launched in 2020, it provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help SMEs grow and scale their businesses. The action plan highlighted the emerging health-tech cluster in the region, and we are delighted to have partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the Health Technologies Launchpad. Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber are supporting the Launchpad.
Learn more
Related programmes
Net Zero Living
A new wave of place-based innovation is transforming UK towns, cities and communities, today. Innovate UK’s £60 million programme is helping local authorities and businesses work together to deliver new solutions that improve local services and open markets for economic growth.
Create Growth Programme
Helping businesses in England convert their creative potential into creative growth.
Innovate Local
Working alongside partners, businesses and stakeholders, Innovate UK hosts this series of events to help innovative businesses maximise their success.
Related Case Studies
Pirta’s cool solutions tackling climate change with Innovate UK support
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
12
Nov
2025
Immersive Innovation 2025 XR Unlocked: Understanding and Application in Industry
09.00 - 16.00 | Leeds
Register for this event
Related News
23/02/2023
Innovate UK launches new local action plan in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Innovations pave the way for brighter futures, for example, by creating new technologies that enable people to have longer and healthier lives. To help drive innovation across the UK, Innovate UK are partnering with key stakeholders to develop local innovation plans.
Read more
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Engage with us wherever you are, for region-specific innovation, collaboration, and investment opportunities.