First North Yorkshire Business Week to promote innovation and growth
A celebration of North Yorkshire’s diverse and innovative businesses and a week of opportunity to share best practice and learn vital skills to help enterprise grow will take place next month.

North Yorkshire Council is hosting its first ever North Yorkshire Business Week from June 16 to 20 and will work with a range of partners to deliver a varied programme of free face-to-face and online events, all themed around innovation and growth.
It gets underway with a special launch event on Monday, June 16, at the Harrogate Convention Centre. The day will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders and public sector voices to explore what innovation means for North Yorkshire and how they can embrace and drive change this year and in the future. The event runs from 12.45pm to 5pm.
Delegates will hear keynote speeches from Paul Cogan, the group finance and resources director at Bettys & Taylors, and Mark Roberts, an award-winning entrepreneur and angel investor. There will be an interactive question and answer panel, networking opportunities, and a business support expo for businesses to learn about the help available to them, including funding opportunities.
An event at Scarborough Spa on Thursday (June 19) will be specifically focused on the challenges and opportunities within the maritime and renewables sector. There will be a selection of guest speakers discussing a range of subjects including skills, innovation and renewables. The sector’s links to leisure and tourism will also be explored. Exhibitor stands will provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services, and there will be opportunities for networking between sessions.

The week’s programme also includes practical workshops led by experts, on topics such as business growth, finance, marketing and innovation, which will be tailored to the needs and ambitions of North Yorkshire businesses. Experienced senior business advisors from the council’s Business North Yorkshire team and representatives from other regional business support organisations will host drop-in advice sessions.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “We are proud to host our first North Yorkshire Business Week, which aims to showcase local and regional businesses, bring sectors together and share best practice to help drive innovation and growth.
“Whether you’re looking to connect with fellow business owners, gain insights and be inspired by specialists or access tailored support, there will be something for every business type and sector.
“We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming businesses from across the county to our launch event, which will explore innovation in its broadest sense, looking at the importance of an innovative mindset, culture and collaboration alongside the more familiar advancements in technology.”
Sue Thompson of Catch Design Management, based in Stokesley, who is attending the event said: “As a long-standing local business, I am delighted to participate in the upcoming North Yorkshire Business Week, a pivotal event that will support our region’s vibrant and innovative business landscape.
“I look forward to engaging with fellow entrepreneurs, sharing insights, and exploring collaborative opportunities that will drive our collective success, and showcasing the importance of social media to businesses’ growth and potential.
“Together, we can harness the power of innovation to build a sustainable and prosperous future for North Yorkshire.”
A full list of the week’s events, which are open to people from businesses of all sizes and sectors, with booking details, is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/nybusinessweek
Businesses wanting to contact the Business North Yorkshire team directly can email: business.nyc@northyorks.gov.uk
Historic trade deal signed with India to deliver £170 million boost to Yorkshire and the Humber
Businesses and workers in Yorkshire and the Humber are set to benefit from the UK’s trade deal with India, as new analysis shows the landmark agreement will deliver a £170 million boost for the local economy as part of the Plan for Change.
Work with the Growth Hub: Start Support and Digital Voucher Scheme
The Growth Hub are now planning our programmes of support for local businesses for the year, and are again looking to work with expert providers to deliver this support. These programmes are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF)
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.
Yorkshire businesses get £2.4m digital innovation boost
Hundreds of manufacturing businesses across Yorkshire have put themselves at the forefront of enhancing their business through digital innovation – and now more can join them after a further £2.4m was received to support the region’s digital ambitions. Since 2021, the “Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber” programme has supported more than 700 Yorkshire manufacturing businesses to take up digital adoption projects to improve efficiency and productivity, boosting the strength of manufacturing across the region.
BOOST: A marketing support programme for York and North Yorkshire tourism and hospitality businesses
This practical, action-oriented programme of activity has been developed to help you market your business more effectively, saving time and money. It’s created and delivered by Susan Briggs from The Tourism Network. Susan has over thirty years of successful tourism marketing experience. It’s for visitor-facing tourism businesses such as accommodation providers; visitor attractions; activity and experience providers; creative, retail, food and drink businesses.
Made Smarter Backs Unity Racing on the Road to Singapore
Made Smarter Yorkshire is proud to continue its support for Unity Racing, a team of six exceptional college students competing in the renowned F1 in Schools competition. As the reigning UK national champions, Unity Racing will once again take on the world stage this September, heading to Singapore for the highly anticipated global finals.
Fully Funded Training for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses - Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering
The York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub are pleased to be partnering with North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council on an initiative to support hospitality businesses from across the area to benefit from fully funded Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 training and certification courses
Industrial Strategy to provide over £150m to reinforce UK as services superpower
The UK’s modern Industrial Strategy will invest over £150 million in five transformative AI and technology programmes to help UK Professional and Business Services (PBS) sectors such as legal, management consulting and accountancy soar.
Are you paying your interns at least the National Minimum Wage?
If you are considering hiring an intern, it’s important to find out whether they are entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
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.
Innovation Supper – Apply to pitch
After the incredible success of the previous event, we’re thrilled to announce the return of Innovation Supper, and once again, we’re inviting you apply to pitch. If you are interested in your chance to get some great business advice and take away some funding to grow, then please fill in the application and return to us by 4 September 2025.
UK organisations stand to benefit from new data protection laws
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) has now received Royal Assent. This new legislation updates key aspects of data protection law, making it easier for UK businesses to protect people’s personal information while growing and innovating their products and services.