New business fund tackles biggest barrier to growth
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has invited businesses to apply for a new programme to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to growth.
Get Funded, part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund and backed by £200,000 in funding, launched today and will run for the next two years until December 2027.
The programme offers small and medium businesses practical support to help them understand their funding options, strengthen financial planning and prepare competitive applications for grants, loans or investment.
It is open to businesses based in York and North Yorkshire looking to grow, whether it’s scaling capacity, expanding operations, or improving their chances of external funding.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“We’re home to incredible businesses with great ideas, but they need more than that to grow, they need investment.
“So we’re backing business by giving them the tools they need, taking a big step forward in my mission to back ambition and make this region the best place to start and grow a business.
“Get Funded is about breaking down one of the biggest barriers that holds back too many of our small and medium businesses back.”
The Get Funded programme begins with a short introductory webinar and continues through a structured series of specialist workshops.
In addition, 24 businesses will be selected for in-depth one-to-one coaching to accelerate their investment readiness.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority appointed experienced suppliers UMi to run the programme.
Nicki Clark, Chief Executive at UMi, said:
“We are excited to be working with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to bring the Get Funded Programme to the region, improving access to finance and the opportunities that presents to local businesses.
“UMi has a strong track-record of working within the funding ecosystem, and with our extensive experience in grant delivery and investor readiness, we believe this is a fantastic opportunity to help businesses overcome financial barriers and receive the specialist support they need to grow.”
Small and medium businesses across the region are encouraged to register early to secure their place.
The Business Innovation Fund is made up of five programmes, supporting Sector Activity, Spin-Out and Start-Ups, Get Exporting and Great Ideas. Get Funded is the final of the programmes to launch.
New business fund tackles biggest barrier to growth
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has invited businesses to apply for a new programme to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to growth. Get Funded, part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund and backed by £200,000 in funding, launched today and will run for the next two years until December 2027.
Mayor Launches £2.5million Great Ideas Fund
Great Ideas, a new £2.5million programme as part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund, will give businesses the ability to tap into expert advice and grants worth up to £60,000. The initiative will support businesses of all sizes to develop their new ideas for a product or service. It will also support businesses to take a developed idea to the next stage. Businesses with the most investment-ready proposals will take their ideas to a panel of experts from the region.
York and North Yorkshire farms urged to apply for sustainability funding
Farms and businesses that have had an energy audit can now apply for funding up to £49,950 to help decarbonise their businesses. York and North Yorkshire’s Business Sustainability Programme will help farms and businesses implement changes that have been recommended by the local authority or Grow Yorkshire decarbonisation support programme or one which has been done by a suitable private sector organisation.
YNY Equity Hub Launches to Drive Business Growth in York and North Yorkshire
A new digital platform, the YNY Equity Hub, has launched to boost investment in businesses across York and North Yorkshire by connecting local enterprises with prospective investors from across the UK. Designed to tackle one of the region’s key barriers to growth, the YNY Equity Hub offers a streamlined, user-friendly portal where SMEs and start-ups can showcase their investment opportunities and growth potential.
Meet your High Street Coordinator: Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund
If you’re unsure whether your project idea is a good fit for the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets fund, have any questions or simply need support, please get in touch with your local High Street Coordinator to discuss your proposal.
Digital Adoption Grant - Apply Now
The Digital Inclusion Capital Grant aims to support businesses to adopt new technologies and resources, in order to increase innovation and productivity. The fund opened for applications on Monday 16 June 2025 and will close at 5pm on Monday 14 July 2025.
YNY Equity Hub: Are you investor ready?
Soon we'll be launching the YNY Equity Hub - take a look at the available resources to ensure you're investor ready. The platform will offer a user-friendly portal where businesses can effectively present their investment opportunities and highlight their growth potential to investors nationwide.
£1.9 million to be invested in making York and North Yorkshire businesses more sustainable
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith is investing £1.9m of UKSPF funds to help decarbonise businesses in the region.
Successful Applicants Announced For Phase One of Mayor’s High Street Fund
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, has announced the successful applicants from Phase One of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund.
A record 299,419 returns filed in the first week of the new tax year
Self Assessment customers can submit their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year between 6 April 2025, the first day of the new tax year, and the deadline on 31 January 2026.
Innovation Supper - Funding Opportunity
York Business School, Patch York and the Growth Hub are delighted to bring you our first ever Innovation Supper. The basic idea is that we provide some supper, and charge a small entry fee, we then invite local community projects to pitch for the proceeds and hold a vote to select the winner - It’s that simple!
Grant Programme Launched for Aspiring North Yorkshire Social Enterprises
As part of our wider programme of support for Social Enterprises, the Growth Hub are excited to launch a Micro-Grant programme, in partnership with Social Vision. This builds on their previous experience delivering a similar programme in Selby.