Local start-ups set for bright future after completing StriveLive incubator
Fourteen local start-up businesses have recently completed StriveLive, a two-month start-up incubator, with five businesses picking up awards and £2,500 in grant funding.
The StriveLive start-up incubator project was open to residents of the former Harrogate Borough Council (now North Yorkshire Council) and City of York Council areas, or those setting up business there.
“I’m really thrilled to win the Strive Best Brand Award. The recognition and confidence the award brings along with everything I’ve learnt on the Strive project, makes me far better equipped to really grow the business.” – Russell Gordon, founder of InSync Cycling Coach
“Strive is an amazing place to learn absolutely everything you need to know about business. But most importantly Paul, Richard and Laura work very hard and they are always available for any questions or concerns we had. We really enjoyed it and we have learned a lot from the project.” – Daniela Genova, founder of Café Lago di Como, pictured with partner Nertil Xhallo
“I encourage anyone who is nurturing their small business idea to sign up for Strive. The project will benefit everyone on their business journey. Engaging sessions delivered in a friendly and encouraging environment. Plus, you get to meet likeminded people, which is fabulous.” – Andrea Clarke, founder of Hand Sown Flowers
Three business experts were invited to judge Branding, Marketing, Concept and Strategy categories in which each winner scooped a £500 business grant. It was no easy task, judges saw an incredible range of businesses and talented local entrepreneurs. When the judging concluded a cycling coach, Russell Gordon, Harrogate café, Lago di Como, massage therapist, Abigail Homer, first aid trainer Yvonne Lewis, and Andrea Clarke who cultivates hand-sown flowers had come out on top.
The StriveLive start-up incubator was funded by the former Harrogate Borough Council and City of York Council, and commissioned by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub as part of a series of business support programmes and events. To find more upcoming events and workshops, please visit our events page.
Award winners for 2022’s start-up incubator
- Yvonne Lewis won Best Business Concept for Wise First Aid Training which offers a range of first aid training, including courses for parents and toddlers.
- Daniela Genova and Nertil Xhallo won Best Marketing for Café Lago di Como, a café in the centre of Harrogate offering award winning Italian cuisine.
- Russell Gordon won Best Brand for Insync Cycling Coach which offers coaching, bike fitting and is supporting the Northeast Cyclocross Championships.
- Abigail Homer won a Strive Start-Up award for The Therapy Room Thirsk which offers a range of massages.
- Andrea Clarke won Best Strategy for Hand-Sown Flowers which cultivates flowers locally for weddings and florists.
To find out more about business support, you can contact the Growth Hub directly either online or by calling Faye on our helpdesk for free on 0800 246 5045.
Steps into Digital: Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions Workshop Series
This nine part workshop series is designed to help businesses at every stage of their data journey from those just starting out to those ready to explore artificial intelligence and compliance. Each session is practical, jargon free and grounded in real business use cases, ensuring participants leave with tools and knowledge they can apply immediately.
Scams warning as Self Assessment customers targeted
Scammers often impersonate HMRC, offering fake refunds or demanding urgent payments to steal personal and banking information. They may say it’s safe to share personal details. It’s not. Passwords, usernames, and access codes are private and customers should never share them, even with someone they trust or who helps them with their tax.
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.
Steps into Digital: LinkedIn Webinar Series
This three-part LinkedIn webinar series is designed to support you at every stage of your LinkedIn journey, from building a presence to leveraging the platform for business growth.
Steps into Digital: Digital Marketing Mastery
Step into Digital this September with Digital Marketing Mastery, a three-part weekly seminar session, hosted at Patch York. Led by Katie Thompson, founder of content marketing service Katie Lingo.
Business Basics Webinar Series
Starting in August 2025, the Growth Hub will one again be joined by Jo Tomlinson from Business Works for a series of fully funded ‘Business Basics’ webinars looking at pricing, planning and all things numbers. The full series will be recorded and hosted on the Growth Hub website.
Steps into Digital Programme
The Steps into Digital programme focusses on strategic, guided steps toward adopting the right digital tools and practices for your business. Emphasising a supportive, paced approach to digital transformation, accessible and manageable to all at any level.
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.