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.
Steps into Digital Voucher Scheme
Providers will collaborate with business’s on a one-to-one basis, delivering tailored support that aligns with specific digital needs and objectives. This personalised approach ensures the guidance received is both relevant and practical.
Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund
Applications for Phase Three of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund are open. Deadline is Friday 30 January 2026. Click here to Meet your High Street Coordinator.
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
Strive Live Start-Up Incubator: Expression of Interest
Interested in joining a future cohort of Stive Live Start-Up Incubator? Find out more about the programme below, and register your interest to secure the first places when dates are confirmed.
Christmas crafters urged to check tax rules
People making money from Christmas crafts, seasonal market stalls, or selling festive items are being urged to check if they need to tell HMRC about their earnings. As the festive season approaches, HMRC's Help for Hustles campaign is reminding anyone earning extra income from activities like making Christmas decorations, upcycling furniture for seasonal sales, or running market stalls, that they will need to tell HMRC if they earn more than £1,000.
Steps into Digital: Voucher Scheme
Benefit from a bespoke approach to digital transformation, accessible and manageable to all at any level. Providers will collaborate with business's on a one-to-one basis, delivering tailored support that aligns with specific digital needs and objectives.
Events
14th November 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🟡 Steps into Digital: Data Driven Decision Making
Too often, businesses make decisions based on gut feel rather than evidence. This session shows how to close that gap by transforming reports into insights, tracking meaningful KPIs and embedding a culture of data led decision making.
18th November 202510:00 am - 12:00 pmFREE
Perpetual Motion: Business Start Up Programme
This practical business start-up programme will take you step by step through each of these considerations and provide a series of tools and checklists to help you to make the right decisions with confidence and set your exciting new business venture up for success.
18th November 202510:00 am - 4:00 pmFREE
Data & Analytics for Beginners: Day 1
Understand what your website and social media data is really telling you. Ideal for anyone unsure where to start with data. This workshop introduces the basics of Google Analytics and Meta Insights, helping you understand where your traffic comes from, what’s working, and what isn’t. You’ll leave with a simple dashboard and the knowledge to track what matters most.
Resources
Webinar Series: How to Run a Pop-Up
From pop-up department stores to kitchen takeovers, cool things are popping up and popping off everywhere. In this exciting project, you’ll get to meet some of the teams behind these pop-ups and get their top tips for running a great pop-up.
Webinar Recording: 🟢 Data Protection Essentials
In this engaging and practical webinar series, Privacy Protect Group Ltd will guide you through everything you need to know to build a confident, compliant, and resilient approach to data protection in your business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your practices, each session is designed to build your understanding step-by-step.
Webinar Series: Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions
Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions, is a nine part online workshop series 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.