Business Support Programmes (2025-2026)
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Discover a wide range of support programmes designed to provide expert-led learning for businesses of every size, at every stage.
At the Growth Hub, we collaborate with a wide range of partners to deliver the highest quality support to our businesses. The information below highlights opportunities and services offered by the Combined Authority, local authorities, national government agencies, and the private sector, including both major national providers and local business experts.
This includes everything from self-service resources to comprehensive, long-term support programmes, as well as opportunities for networking. There are also a number of funding and finance opportunities available through the Growth Hub and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to help support your business growth.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or would like specific support, get in touch.
Explore Learning, Development and Support Programmes
Steps into Digital Programme
A fully-funded supportive, paced approach to digital transformation, accessible and manageable to all at any level.
Strive Live Start-Up Incubator: October 2025
Join this award-winning incubator designed to help grassroots entrepreneurs launch their business.
Tourism & Hospitality Support Programmes
Support tailored for the tourism and hospitality sector designed to help you make the most of every season.
Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are funded, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills.
Business Resilience
As a business owner, it’s essential to understand the potential risks your business may face and where to find support when needed.
Peer Learning & Networking
Building genuine connections with fellow business owners can offer priceless insight and support, as many may be navigating similar challenges
Made Smarter
If you’re a manufacturing business that is looking to increase the use of technology and expand your business capabilities, the Made Smarter programme could help.
Start & Grow Y&NY
If you are a business based in York or North Yorkshire or you are setting up a business, we have a brand new business support programme to help turn your visions and plans into reality.
York and North Yorkshire Work and Skills Interchange
The York and North Yorkshire Work and Skills Interchange will offer advice and make connections for people seeking work, or trying to stay in work.
Business Basics Series
Whether you’re preparing for investment, or brushing up on the fundamentals, these webinars and resources are suitable for all.
Adult Skills Fund
Discover how the Adult Skills Fund can benefit your business. Courses may be fully or part-funded, dependant on learner eligibility criteria.
DBT International Trade
Department for Business & Trade support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
Funding and Finance Opportunities
YNY Equity Hub
The YNY Equity Hub has been designed to address this barrier, offering a user-friendly portal where businesses can effectively present their investment opportunities and highlight their growth potential to investors nationwide.
Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund
Applications for Phase Two of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are now closed.
Business Innovation Fund
This fund includes a Sector Activity programme, Spin-Out & Start-Up programme, Get Exporting programme, Great Ideas programme, and Get Funded programme. Visit the page to see the full list of deadlines.
Business Sustainability Programme
At its core, the programme is about supporting businesses, delivering climate action and contributing to the economic growth of our region. Closing 19 September.
Find your local business advisor
If you’re based in North Yorkshire, visit; Business North Yorkshire | North Yorkshire Council
If you’re based in York, visit; Grow Your Business | City of York Council
For subject specific support, visit; Help & support for businesses in York & North Yorkshire | Y&NY Growth Hub
Articles
1-2-1 SEO Support: Tailored advice to help your website rank higher in Google
These sessions offer practical, one-to-one SEO support that’s all about your business. Many business owners have already attended SEO courses or watched tutorials but still struggle when it comes to applying what they’ve learned to their own website. This support is designed to look at your site, your goals and discuss specific actions you can take to make real improvements.
Fancy trying your hand at running your very own market stall - absolutely free for one day?
North Yorkshire Council are offering you the chance to try your hand at running your own market stall. First-time traders can run a stall absolutely free for one day, from now until the end of September. Take your pick from one of the vibrant markets in Thirsk, Northallerton, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pickering, Helmsley, and Whitby.
Business Basics – How much is your Business Worth
Being aware of your business's value enables you to determine a fair selling price for some or all of your shares, negotiate efficiently with prospective buyers, and secure beneficial financing deals, among other advantages.
Events
09th September 20251:00 pm - 2:30 pmFREE
🌎 Business Basics Webinar: Selling some or all of the shares
Selling a business or shares in a business is serious stuff and the price tag can be high, so it’s not surprising that the due diligence process undertaken by the legal representatives and finance professionals on both the buyers and sellers’ sides can feel somewhat invasive. So, what kind of information is likely to be requested, what are the timescales involved, payment terms and other expectation, plus the tax implications on the sale of shares?
10th September 20256:00 pm - 7:30 pmFREE
Totally Locally’s guide to collaboration and promotion for independent high streets: A Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund Webinar
This webinar, funded through the Mayor's Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, will share practical tools, inspiring stories, and proven strategies to activate your own high street on small budgets, from the ground up, and will explore how communities have worked together to boost local trade, revive civic pride, and build resilient economies.
11th September 202510:00 am - 12:00 amFREE
🟢 IP Readiness for Investment: A Strategic Guide for Early-Stage Businesses
Join Intellectual Property (IP) specialist Secerna for an insightful webinar designed to support early-stage businesses. You will learn why IP matters to investors, the most common pitfalls that derail funding rounds, and how to avoid them.
Resources
Resources: How to get higher in Google, the basics
Want your website to be seen by as many potential customers as possible? Download the following resources to gain practical tips from an experienced Search Engine Optimisation professional, and climb the rankings.
Webinar Recording: Complete Web design for small businesses and start ups
This session aims to demystify the website creation process, making design and management more accessible and affordable for small businesses. Rather than focusing solely on tools or trends, the webinar offers a strategic overview of what a successful small business website needs to do and how to achieve it without unnecessary expense or overwhelm.
Business Basics Series Part 2: Webinar Recordings & Blogs
These resources provide a guide to key subjects such as tax, pricing and all things numbers. Jo Tomlinson is a qualified Management Accountant, certified QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor, Making Tax Digital ProAdvisor and 1 of only 11 Certified QuickBooks Trainers’ that work on behalf of QuickBooks, training accountants across the UK.