Applications now open for digital sector to bid for Leeds Tech Hub Fund support

Applications are now open for building owners and companies in the digital sector to apply for a slice of nearly £4m of funding to support the creation of a variety of innovative projects in the city.

This follows a decision by Leeds City Council last month to allocate a £3.7m grant provided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport towards the development of a Leeds Tech Hub Fund to assist further the wide range of work currently being undertaken to encourage further growth in the city’s fast growing digital sector.

To find out more about the Leeds Tech Hub Fund and the criteria for submitting an application, please see: www.leedstechhubfund.org.uk

Home to around 3,500 digital and tech companies with an estimated workforce of 45,000 that makes up approximately 10% of all jobs in the city, the Leeds digital economy is continuing to move from strength-to-strength. Currently home to global companies such as Asda, Sky’s national technology centre of expertise, NHS and key digital infrastructure including IXL Leeds, the city has developed an expertise in a range of areas from financial technology, telecommunications and data storage, to in-company tech, digital media and computer games.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources and strategy, said:

“It is fantastic news that applications are now open for businesses to bid for funding from our £3.7m Tech Hub Grant to support a range of innovative digital projects in our city.

“The creativity and talent that exists in the Leeds digital sector is truly exceptional and some of the best in the UK, along with the collaborative spirit that underpins many shared projects we are looking forward to these attributes coming to the fore through the bids that are submitted.”

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk