North Yorkshire manufacturers are accelerating digital progress

Through the Made Smarter Yorkshire Digital Internship Programme, delivered by Sheffield Hallam University, SMEs can access fully funded three-month placements bringing digital talent from UK universities into their businesses. 

In Thirsk, bespoke furniture manufacturer Treske worked with Applied Data Science graduate Madonna Tsegha from Teesside University to consolidate fragmented customer data into a single CRM-ready platform, fast-tracking its digital sales strategy. 

For SMEs, these placements provide specialist capability without long-term risk, helping businesses move further and faster on their digital journey. 

Boosting manufacturing – Discover Made Smarter

North Yorkshire manufacturers among firms investing £900,000 in digital tech with Made Smarter 

From pizza dough and rally cars to signage, packaging and heavy machinery, makers are investing in growth and jobs. North Yorkshire manufacturers are among 19 Yorkshire businesses investing almost £900,000 in digital technologies to improve efficiency, create jobs and support future growth, with support from Made Smarter Yorkshire. 

From Lived Experience to Social Enterprise

James established PLAS as a Community Interest Company (CIC), ensuring a sustainable social enterprise model that allows him to earn a wage while delivering impact-driven services. James is now building a social enterprise that provides one-to-one support for offenders, rehabilitation interviews, and workshops for legal professionals.

Aberdevine, a Circular Start-up

Through the Federation of Small Businesses, Marta was introduced to Jack Colding, the Growth Hub’s Sustainability Specialist, who helped her identify crucial gaps in sustainability documentation and supply-chain transparency. Working together, they developed tailored environmental and manufacturing policies.

Building Belonging Through Business 

In Selby, Matthew Fisher of the Community Development Group is helping underrepresented groups turn ambition into enterprise. After securing funding to explore the experiences of local migrant communities, Matthew identified that many individuals wanted to start businesses but lacked the knowledge and support to do so. 

Innovation Supper provides funding boost for First Leaf Farm

The event followed its now well-established format: attendees enjoyed supper while hearing from local entrepreneurs, each given ten minutes to pitch their business idea followed by questions from the audience. At the end of the evening, participants voted to decide which business would receive the proceeds from ticket sales, providing both a financial boost and valuable exposure to an engaged local network.

Building a Bold Brand with Purpose

Luke, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is the founder of Deaf Identity, an e-commerce business dedicated to raising deaf awareness through fashion and accessories. His brand serves as both a creative outlet and a platform to promote visibility and representation within the deaf community.