New funding aims to boost business innovation and deliver positive change for local communities

Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds programme has up to £175,000 available for distribution in the form of individual grants ranging from £15,000 to £25,000.

The grants are intended to fund knowledge-sharing projects that will – through the provision of advice, guidance, mentoring or training – encourage world-class innovative thinking and activity by the city’s businesses.

This in turn, it is hoped, will enable them to deliver cutting-edge products, processes and services that make Leeds a healthier, greener and more inclusive place to live.

The exact nature of the projects will depend on the proposals submitted by grant applicants, who are being asked to show how their idea can achieve at least one of three main aims. These are:

• Boosting the capabilities of innovative businesses already operating in fields such as artificial intelligence or financial, health and legal technology;
• Supporting people from diverse backgrounds who want to launch their own innovation-led businesses;
• Raising the profile of Leeds as a centre for innovation and showcasing its strengths to outside investors.

To be considered for a grant to set up and run a project, applicants must be a Leeds-registered small business or microbusiness.

They should also be able to demonstrate a proven track record in providing development support for innovation-led businesses.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“We know Leeds is a city bursting with ideas and inspiration, and we are keen to do whatever we can to ensure local residents realise their full potential.

“We’re also committed to helping innovative businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs find solutions and ways of working that will have a positive impact on our communities.

“The new grants will support both of those ambitions – and underline the power of collaboration – by giving innovators access to top-quality knowledge-sharing opportunities.

“I’d encourage as many eligible small businesses and microbusinesses as possible to apply for a grant, and look forward to seeing the results achieved by the successful projects.”

Innovation@Leeds was launched by the council in 2021 to ensure that people from all backgrounds have the means to make the most of their talents in fields such as digital and other emerging technologies.

The programme’s latest grants are being funded through central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered locally by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The award of the grants will align with a city-wide vision – co-created by the council with key local partners – for stimulating innovation in a way that has a positive social impact.

One crucial aspect of that vision is the further development and transformation of the Leeds Innovation Arc, an area on the west side of the city centre that is home to globally-renowned educational, health and cultural establishments as well as an array of start-ups, scale-ups and major businesses.

For more information about the Innovation@Leeds grants, click here. Applications can be made until November 21, while the projects that secure funding must be delivered by March 28 next year.

ENDS