Information Technology
What do you want to learn?
- I want to know more about expanding our IT infrastructure
- I need to ensure we have the right data security practices in place
- I want to find the right software to improve my business processes
- I want to understand more about website design
- I want to know what IT and digital skills training is available
Although there is a lot of free or low-cost software available to meet your general needs as a start-up, your IT and digital needs may become more complex as your business expands and demand grows. In this section, our guidance and resources will help you understand more about the building blocks of expanding your IT infrastructure, what sort of specialist business software could be helpful to you, and how to ensure you are following best practice in data security. While you should not be expected to have the full range of experience and skills of an IT manager, understanding the key principles will help you be more informed when making key decisions.
Get the IT and digital support you need
As businesses grow, the need for more structured, complex IT systems and processes can increase.
A high-quality website is a vital piece of your overall marketing strategy – find out what yours will need.
Stay safe with tips on how to protect your business from threats to your premises and from rising cyber crime.
Ensure you and your team are equipped with the right digital skills by accessing the correct training for you.
Find out what particular advice is applicable to the sorts of software systems you need.
Articles
Fully Funded Automation & Efficiency Webinar Series
Step into digital with Data Stream's Automation & Efficiency Webinar series. Designed to support small businesses make day-to-day work smoother. This series gives a balanced overview of everything needed to streamline everyday work, through a well-rounded introduction to the digital tools and techniques that make running your business smoother and more managea
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.
Events
19th November 202510:00 am - 1:00 pmFREE
[FULL] Video & Visual Content Strategy: Sherburn in Elmet
Join us for 🎥 Video & Visual Content Strategy in Sherburn in Elmet on Wednesday 19 November. Bring your brand story to life. Video is the most powerful way to connect with people online — and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
20th November 202510:00 am - 4:00 pmFREE
Smartphone Video Masterclass: Harrogate
Join our one-day hands-on video workshop designed to help businesses of all types and sizes take their first confident steps into video marketing. Whether you're B2B or B2C, a sole trader or a growing team, this workshop will equip you with the essential skills to produce professional, social-media-ready video content in-house. The Growth Hub are happy to be offering these workshops, following exceptional demand last year under North Yorkshire Council’s UKSPF programme.
21st November 202510:00 am - 11:30 amFREE
🟣 Steps into Digital: AI & ML in Business Intelligence
Data Stream was born out of a profound understanding of the challenges facing businesses in today’s data-driven landscape. They witnessed first hand how companies struggled to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies while grappling with legacy software and a shortage of internal data expertise. It became evident that there was a need for a partner who could bridge the gap between the data-driven future and the present state of businesses. Their mission is to empower businesses with data-driven solutions tailored to their unique objectives.
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.