Business Innovation & Funding
Business innovation should be an accessible goal for organisations of all sizes and does not always have to revolve around technology.
There are many ways in which businesses can think creatively about how they adapt to the rapidly evolving needs and tastes of their audience.
However, businesses are often restricted by a lack of finance, resources, time or know-how to get ideas off the ground. Plus, unpredictable world events can make it difficult for businesses to think about business innovation.
Our growth managers can work with you to refine your plans and, with strong links to partner organisations and educational establishments, help you find a route through any barriers that you may be facing.
In addition, we can provide innovation advice to organisations that are looking to relocate to York and North Yorkshire. Whether you are a foreign-owned or UK business looking to expand, relocate or invest, Invest in York & North Yorkshire can help.
We can help with:
- Cultural barriers
Challenges with cross-cultural communication, especially for businesses looking to expand into international markets.
- Structural barriers
Tackling natural or tactical barriers that arise preventing new entry into your market.
- Financial Barriers
Wanting to make change but lacking the funds to accomplish these goals
- Business communication
Improving internal and external practices and reducing errors by sharing information in the right way.
Fund your business innovation with 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 you access advice, support and even grant funding.
Whether you are completely brand new to digital technology, or you have already started your digitalisation journey, you will be able to receive bespoke advice on anything from skills and leadership to innovation strategies.
Adopting new technology can be daunting, but the Made Smarter scheme will enable you to get the best advice and support from the pioneers and experts in national and local industry bodies.
Made Smarter is encouraging the UK’s next industrial revolution by giving you the competitive edge in a rapidly-growing industry. The programme aims to bring the best out of the UK manufacturing industry by upskilling and encouraging collaboration and innovation – keeping us ahead of the competition in the global manufacturing stage.
Find out more about Innovation
To find out more about how we can help with Business Innovation, get in touch.
Articles
Unity Racing Secures Third in World STEM Finals
Students from Scarborough UTC’s Unity Racing team have achieved remarkable success at the STEM Racing World Finals (formerly F1 in Schools) in Singapore. The team secured third place globally and won the prestigious FIA Scrutineering Award.
Business Basics – Cash Flow v Profit
Many small business owners can get confused when looking at numbers relating to their business, and often this is due to cash and profit being understood as one and the same thing. It is crucial to understand the difference between these two metrics so that decision making is not flawed.
UK Small Business Commissioner to launch York Business Festival 2025
York Business School at York St John University is delighted to announce a packed programme of events for York Business Festival 2025. Alongside invited expert speakers and hosts, the Festival is a showcase of the support that York Business School and the wider University offers to local businesses and social enterprises.
Events
21st October 20255:00 pm - 7:45 pmFREE
[FULL] Export Roadshow: York
This roadshow is a great opportunity to network with other businesses looking to grow and ask questions of the experts. It will provide you with helpful advice, routes for support beyond the event, including the UK Export Academy, and information about other funding opportunities.
21st October 202510:00 am - 1:00 pmFREE
🟢 [FULL] Starting Up Together: Fully Funded Support for Early-Stage Businesses
Starting Up Together is a peer-to-peer 6-month programme, fully funded by the Growth Hub, for those who are in the early stages of their business journey; typically you’ll have been trading for a couple of years, or part-time equivalent, but your business is your main focus and activity.
22nd October 20251:00 pm - 2:30 pmFREE
Webinar Series: How to Run a Pop-Up
If you’ve ever wanted to run or host a pop-up, we’re here to help you make it happen. 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. Our three action-packed workshops will cover everything from the creative to the legal elements of a great pop-up project.
Resources
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.
Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions
We recommend bookmarking this page, as all recordings and resources will be added here after each webinar. Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions, is a nine part online workshop series designed to
Webinar Recording: A Grassroots Approach to Thriving Towns
This webinar, funded through the Mayor’s Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, shares practical tools, inspiring stories, and proven strategies to activate your own high street on small budgets, from the ground up.