West Yorkshire Business & Skills Support

Please see below events, updates and support available

AD:VENTURE WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS

2^nd July – So What? Tools to Enhance your Strategic Thinking

7^th July – Developing Your Business Plan

9^th July – From Zero Pipeline to Predictable Growth: A Practical Outbound Workshop for Founders

9^th July – Introduction to Cash Flow Forecasting

16^th July – Strategic Website Content for Improved Visibility

17^th July – Turn Conversations Into Customers Using WhatsApp API

24^th July – The Business Growth Clinic: Diagnose. Unblock. Move Forward

Trade Mission to Ireland

Join Chamber International and West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce on an exclusive Trade Mission to Ireland from 15–17 September 2026, designed to help businesses explore new commercial opportunities, build valuable connections and gain first-hand insight into one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tailored business matchmaking based on your specific requirements
Networking events with Irish businesses and industry leaders
Market briefings from local business experts and the British Embassy
Opportunities to explore Ireland as a gateway to European markets
Access to Chamber networks across Ireland
Valuable peer-to-peer networking with fellow UK delegates

https://www.chamber-international.com/events/ireland-trade-mission-2026/ please contact Nikki Clow nikkic@chamber-international.com for further information. Please book via https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/daJdWari7febeF

University of Huddersfield

Marketing Student Placements

We still have students seeking opportunities to gain invaluable real-world experience through a year-long placement next academic year.

Placement students are a cost effective addition to your organisation, supporting the ‘try before you buy’ recruitment approach. If you’re looking to bring fresh talent and new perspectives into your organisation, or know someone who is, get in touch today. sbel-set@hud.ac.uk

Founder to Founder Offer

Tod Works is a community-owned workspace in Todmorden, offering flexible offices, dedicated desks, shared workspaces and meeting rooms for freelancers, home workers, start-ups and established businesses. Located overlooking Centre Vale Park, it provides a professional working environment with high-speed internet, 24/7 access, meeting facilities and good transport links, while promoting collaboration between creative, digital, knowledge-based and environmental businesses. The focus is on providing practical, flexible workspace rather than a traditional serviced office model, with affordable terms designed to support local business growth and remote working. AD:VENTURE clients can also benefit from an exclusive 15% discount on office space when taking a 12‑month contract.

See their website for more details and the offer code attached. Tod Works – Tod Works

Get Involved in our Employability Events

Next academic year, we’re organising two employability events designed to support both our second and final year undergraduate students.

Wednesday 14th October

Our first event is aimed at undergraduate second year business students. The day will feature an alumni panel talk, as well as a Placement and Employability Fair focusing on promoting placement opportunities.

What we’re looking for:

Inspiring alumni who completed a year in industry throughout their degree
Expression of interest from organisations focusing on promoting work experience opportunities
Exhibitors who may be interested in providing mock interviews

Wednesday 18th November

Later in the term, we’re hosting our Employability Ready Conference to help encourage final year undergraduate business, education and law students to begin planning their graduate journey. The day will also feature an inspiring alumni panel talk, alongside workshops, and an Employability Fair.

What we’re looking for:

Inspiring graduate alumni who are willing to share their experiences to help empower the next generation of future talent
Expression of interest from organisations looking to promoting graduate roles, should we proceed with hosting a fair
Expression of interest from organisations who may be interested in supporting sessions such as mock interviews, assessment centres, and informative talks

If you’re interested in supporting any aspect of these events, we’d love to hear from you! sbel-set@hud.ac.uk

Economics Guest Speaker Opportunities

We’re seeking guest speakers for next academic year to share their expertise in the following areas:

Behavioural Economics

A behavioural economist who may have worked in institutions such as the FCA, Bank of England, or similar regulatory bodies, who applies behavioural theory and experimental methods to financial policy problems, focusing on consumer decision-making and market outcomes. Strong quantitative skills and experience communicating insights to policymakers are essential.

Applied Economics

An economist working in government, central banking, consultancy, or industry with a strong focus on empirical economic analysis. Ideally skilled in data analysis and translating technical results into clear economic policy implications.

Health Economics

A health economist working in academia, NHS, NICE, or public health institutions who specialises in economic evaluation of healthcare interventions. Strong applied econometrics skills and experience working with clinical or administrative health data is essential.

Industrial Economics

An individual who is able to share insights into the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs in todays economy. Topics of interest include market power, economies of scale, regulatory challenges, and strategies for small businesses to remain competitive.

If you’re looking to give back and inspire the next generation of economists, we’d love to hear from you! sbel-set@hud.ac.uk

Female Founders: Confidence-Building Business Support Programme

Female Founders, sponsored by British Business Bank, is a six‑month growth programme designed to support and accelerate ambitious, female‑led screen businesses.

As women continue to reshape the business landscape, this programme exists to ensure that talent, vision and leadership are matched with the skills, confidence and support needed to scale successfully.

Through an intensive series of expert‑led workshops, one‑to‑one business coaching and peer connection, Female Founders equips entrepreneurs with the tools to build sustainable, profitable companies.

The programme addresses both the strategic and personal barriers to growth, recognising the challenges that can be unique to female founders and turning them into opportunities for long‑term success.

Participants leave with a clear growth plan, sharpened leadership skills, stronger commercial knowledge and an enduring network of peers and industry leaders – ready to take their business to the next stage.

https://creativeenterprise.wearecreative.uk/female-founders?utm_content=380447029&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-2444096

Canva Small Business Pitch Challenge Seeks UK and Ireland Applicants

Canva is inviting applications to its Small Business Pitch Challenge, a competition designed to support and showcase small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and Ireland.

The challenge aims to help early-stage and growing organisations communicate their ideas through visual storytelling using Canva’s design platform. It also offers the possibility of grant support for business development.

Up to five winners will each receive a £4,000 business grant. The award package also includes mentorship opportunities, featured promotion across Canva channels and the option to host an event at Canva’s London headquarters.

Eligibility is open to residents of the UK and Ireland aged 18 and over who are starting, running or co-running a small business, side hustle, freelance business or creative venture. Applicants must be associated with an organisation employing fewer than 50 people.

The deadline for applications is 12 July 2026 https://public.canva.site/small-business-pitch

Clean Transport Accelerator Maritime Opens for UK SME Trial Projects

Connected Places Catapult has opened applications for the Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime, a six-month programme for UK-registered small and medium-sized enterprises developing maritime decarbonisation and port innovation solutions.

The programme offers a combination of financial support and tailored commercial and technical assistance intended to help participating companies develop and trial solutions with major industry partners.

Each SME selected can receive up to £30,000 to run a four-month trial with partners. The support is designed to help firms test and refine solutions in operational settings linked to partner needs, with activity focused on trials aligned to specified challenge areas.

Eligibility is limited to UK-registered SMEs with innovations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to 8. Applicants must propose a solution that addresses at least one of four challenges. These are:

• Optimisation of sea-going fleet operations with Serco.

• Scope 3 emissions tracking and reporting with Port of Tyne.

• Efficient use of excess clean energy with Portsmouth International Port.

• Decarbonising shipyard manufacturing with the National Shipbuilding Office.

The funding can be used to support the delivery of the four-month trial, including work required to develop, adapt, integrate or test a solution with the relevant partner environment and technical requirements.

The deadline for applications is 28 July 2026 https://cp.catapult.org.uk/opportunity/clean-transport-accelerator-maritime/

Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £10 million in successful applicants in this competition. This is subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received.

The aim of this competition is to support early stage innovation in the intersection of high growth potential Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier industries. This funding is to develop innovations beyond proof of concept, de-risking future investment and supporting long term sector growth.

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2517/overview/6ff2066d-4639-44e6-bb4f-ce7099222739

£10m Innovate UK Fund Opens for Creative Technology Innovation Projects

Innovate UK (IUK) has opened applications for its Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 Competition, which is intended to support early-stage innovation at the intersection of high-growth Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier Industries.

The competition is designed to help projects progress innovations beyond proof of concept, with the aim of reducing investment risk and supporting long-term sector growth. Projects must focus on commercial digital platforms and services operating within one of four frontier industries: video games, advertising and marketing, film and TV or music, performing and visual arts.

Up to £10 million has been allocated for industrial research projects. Each application must have total eligible costs between £100,000 and £500,000.

Applications are open to UK-registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs can apply as a single applicant or lead a collaborative project. The call also welcomes cross-sector work that combines one or more of the eligible frontier industries with other creative industries sectors. Design businesses are eligible where the Createch innovation contributes to one of the four frontier industries.

Academic institutions, research and technology organisations (RTOs), charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and other organisations that are not profit-driven or commercially focused cannot lead projects. Academic institutions and RTOs are not eligible to apply as sole applicants.

For collaborative applications, partners may include UK-registered businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations and RTOs.

The deadline for applications is 11 August 2026 https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2517/overview/6ff2066d-4639-44e6-bb4f-ce7099222739

CoSTAR Emerge-AI Offers Support for Early-stage UK Creative Tech Firms

CoSTAR has opened applications for its Emerge-AI programme, delivered through the CoSTAR National Lab and backed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The offer sits within the CoSTAR AI for Creativity initiative and is aimed at supporting early growth stage businesses working at the intersection of technology and the creative industries.

Emerge-AI runs over three months and is designed to help participants move a prototype towards initial validation. It also supports companies to decide on a project pathway, refine their proposition and presentation, understand their market, test with potential customers and present early-stage concepts to members of the CoSTAR Network.

Participants receive a £5,000 stipend intended to cover early-stage business costs, alongside cloud credits to help accelerate product development. The package also includes tailored workshops, one-to-one mentorship from senior industry experts, facilitated user testing with target customers and access to research labs. Commercialisation support covers areas such as intellectual property, routes to market and approaches to securing finance, alongside a peer cohort format and a final pitch to CoSTAR Network members.

Applications are open to early-stage UK-based AI start-ups and SMEs, including pre-revenue and early-revenue businesses. Applicants must have a working proof of concept and demonstrate practical experience using AI as a core element of their product or solution. Eligible projects should focus on creative sector applications such as film, TV, gaming or live performance.

Applicants must be UK-registered businesses with at least two people, with the project team based in the UK and all activity delivered in the UK. They should also plan to exploit outcomes from or within the UK and be seeking business growth and investment or other financing within the next 12 months.

The deadline for applications is 18 August 2026 https://www.costarnetwork.co.uk/calls/emerge-AI

Royal Mail Offers £1 Million Green Skills Apprenticeship Levy Support

Royal Mail has launched the Green Skills Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund, providing £1 million to help UK businesses build skills linked to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The support is delivered through the transfer of apprenticeship levy funds, enabling eligible organisations to access government-approved green skills apprenticeships. The budget is intended to address skills needs associated with decarbonisation and to expand green capabilities across UK businesses.

Supported apprenticeships can cover a range of sectors and occupations, including low-carbon heating, electric vehicle infrastructure, energy-efficient construction and sustainable supply chains. Training may support roles such as solar panel and heat pump installers, electric vehicle charging infrastructure technicians, environmental practitioners and sustainability business specialists.

Apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured training and study, allowing apprentices to gain practical workplace experience alongside recognised qualifications. Available standards range from Level 2 to Level 7, enabling employers to support skills development across entry level roles and more advanced professional pathways.

Applications are open to registered UK companies operating in most industry sectors, provided they plan to develop green skills through eligible apprenticeship standards. Funding can be used towards approved training and assessment costs for eligible apprenticeships.

There is no set deadline to access this support https://www.royalmail.com/1m-apprenticeship-fund-build-green-skills-and-support-uks-low-carbon-transition

National Student Pitch Competition Offers Cash Prizes for Startups

The Varsity Pitch Competition is a national early-stage business pitching competition for current students and recent graduates from UK universities, colleges and further education institutions. It provides opportunities for learning, networking and raising the profile of new businesses.

Prizes include a £15,000 cash award for the Varsity Pitch Champion. Two runners-up will receive £2,500 each. Category winners will receive £1,000 each. An audience prize will also be selected on the day.

The cash prizes are intended to support development of winning business ideas. All finalists will receive ongoing support to promote their achievements on websites, CVs and social media.

The competition is open to current UK students and those who graduated in 2023 or later. Applicants must be committed to starting a business if they win and must hold a UK business bank account to receive any cash prizes. Eligible business ideas must be UK based but may operate internationally.

Categories include Product, Home & Everyday Design; Education, Work & Society; Consumer, Commerce & Experience; Digital, Health & Deeptech; and Climate, Energy & Smart Mobility.

The deadline for applications is 18 October 2026 https://www.centreforentrepreneurs.org/vp