Please see below events, updates and support available – information provided by Chris Mitchell, Business Manager on the AD:Venture programme.
Free Brand Visibility Diagnosis tool
Marcus from Single Thread, an alumni of the AD:VENTURE programme, is offering AD:VENTURE clients free access to a short Brand Visibility Diagnosis tool he has created. It’s a simple, no‑registration assessment that helps founders identify where their business may not be showing up effectively—whether to potential customers, referral networks, or in AI‑driven search—and provides a straightforward messaging toolkit to support improved visibility. You can access it here: https://thefoundationwaitlist.scoreapp.com
Available AD:VENTURE workshops and Webinars.
April
8th April – AI Foundations for Small Businesses (online)
15th April – Practical AI Workflows for Small Businesses
29th April – Email Marketing Mastery: From Cold Contacts to Loyal Customers
May
14th May – Embedding AI into Business Operations
20th May – Planning and Launching a Website You’re Proud Of
21st May – Using KPI’s to Manage Your Business
Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers
Entries close at 5pm today for this year’s Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers – and we don’t want you to miss out on being recognised for your apprenticeship programmes.
If your entry data isn’t ready yet, you can still confirm your entry using the official entry form – just tick the ‘complete your answers later’ box and you’ll have an additional 2 weeks to submit your data.
The new 2026 rankings will be featured in a special 16-page supplement in The Sunday Times in the summer, bringing the country’s top apprenticeship employers to the widest-possible audience of school & college-leavers, parents, careers advisers, apprentices and employers.
And don’t forget, as well as the main Top 100 listing, every employer entering will be ranked within their own industry or employment sector (such as ‘1st in technology’, ‘3rd in construction’ or ‘8th in health & social care’) – and will receive full feedback on their entry.
If you need help preparing your entry, please watch our 2-minute Guide to Entering, which includes full details of how this year’s Top 100 rankings are being compiled.
UKREiiF WY Pavilion partnership opportunities
This year, for UKREiiF, the Combined Authority is offering a range of partnership packages that may be of interest to local businesses and organisations.
Please find the Partnership Pack attached. Feel free to share it with any contacts who may wish to explore these opportunities. Haribo (Wakefield) is already confirmed as a partner.
Kirklees will also be attending UKREiiF as part of the West Yorkshire delegation, showcasing ongoing and upcoming investment opportunities to potential investors, developers and occupiers. This aligns with our continued work to promote Kirklees and attract investment into the district:
- Invest – Business Kirklees
- Invest in Huddersfield – built on innovation, thriving with investment
- Invest in Dewsbury and North Kirklees
Although the event is primarily focused on the built environment sector, the scale and growing national and international visibility mean there is strong potential for wider marketing and brand exposure. This year’s event is expected to attract at least 16,000 delegates.
Contact details are on the flyer attached
Start Up Loans are evolving from April 2026
BEF have mentioned that if a client applies via our website www.befund.org before 5th April they will be in the system & benefit from the lower rate.
Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence (IAAI)
The Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) is driven by Huddersfield’s strong foundation in AI-related research, the growing national need for AI-literate graduates, and the opportunities presented by initiatives and developments such as the National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC).
By uniting expertise across disciplines, sectors and demonstrating excellence in responsible, explainable and applied AI, the Institute positions Huddersfield as a visible and credible contributor to national and global discussions on the future of artificial intelligence. Its interdisciplinary research, industrial partnerships, and real-world impact, particularly through collaboration with regional innovation networks, support innovation, policy engagement, and AI outcomes.
The Applied AI Institute brings together academics across Computing, Engineering, Health, Business, Sciences, Education, and the Arts to create a truly interdisciplinary environment, ideally suited to exploring how AI can be developed and deployed responsibly.
https://research.hud.ac.uk/institutes-centres/institutes/iaai
New Competition for Prototypes Supporting Consumer Electricity Flexibility Markets
A new competition is inviting experts to develop prototype solutions aimed at improving market access for consumer-led electricity flexibility in the UK energy system.
The Sandpit Market Access Acceleration in Consumer-led Flexibility Competition will use an intensive collaborative workshop format to support the development of early-stage concepts. Participants from across the energy sector will work together to design practical tools, market mechanisms and other interventions intended to address barriers affecting the growth of consumer flexibility in electricity markets.
The total funding available is £1 million. Individual project awards will range from £50,000 to £350,000. Financial support is intended for projects that develop and test prototype approaches that could enable consumers to participate more effectively in flexibility markets.
Projects must focus on at least one of four challenge areas: multi-market optimisation, locational price discovery, distribution network operator flexibility incentives or flexibility micro-grids.
Applications are open to designated experts within their organisations who have relevant knowledge in one or more of the challenge areas and who are able to collaborate on scalable solutions during the workshop process.
To receive an award, applicants must be based at a UK organisation eligible for support from Innovate UK, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council or the Economic and Social Research Council.
The deadline for applications is 26 March 2026 https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/sandpit-market-access-acceleration-in-consumer-led-flexibility/
IUK Competition Supports Secure and Resilient Software Supply Chains
The Secure Software for Resilient Growth Competition is open to collaborative consortia aiming to strengthen cyber resilience across UK software supply chains. The programme supports projects that promote awareness, adoption and implementation of the Software Security Code of Practice (SSCoP).
Up to £5 million has been made available to fund industrial research projects. Individual grants must range between £250,000 and £750,000. Funding may be used to develop secure software, improve cyber resilience in digital systems and support commercial growth in technology supply chains. Projects are expected to address at least two of the four themes outlined in the SSCoP.
Eligible applicants must be collaborative consortia led by a UK registered business of any size. Each consortium must include at least one UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) claiming grant funding. Partner organisations may include other UK registered businesses, academic institutions, charities, not for profit organisations, public sector bodies and research and technology organisations. All participants must be based in the UK and contribute to a collaborative project led by the eligible lead business.
The competition forms part of wider government cyber security codes of practice and complements initiatives such as the Cyber Essentials scheme, which promote recognised approaches to managing cyber risks.
The deadline for applications is 29 April 2026 https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2421/overview/3d6991fa-73b2-48c0-93eb-cc5393b5cf3d
Competition Supports UK SMEs Developing Frontier Artificial Intelligence Technologies
A new competition is set to support UK small and medium-sized enterprises developing advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
The AI Champions Frontier AI Phase 1 Competition aims to validate the technical feasibility of ambitious AI innovations that could enable new products, services or platforms. The focus is on systems that demonstrate state of the art performance against recognised benchmarks or introduce capabilities not previously seen. Advances may arise from model or system architecture, training methodology or core control and learning algorithms.
Phase 1 forms the opening stage of a three phase, stage gated pipeline designed to reduce technical risk and produce evidence that a proposed approach works in practice. Projects must begin at Technology Readiness Level 3 or below and concentrate on technology and methodology development. Validation activities may use synthetic or simulated data where appropriate.
Support is intended for proof of concept prototypes, testing against predefined metrics, evidence of technical novelty, a rationale for scaling and preparation of a technical white paper.
A minimum of £3 million has been allocated for feasibility and industrial research projects. Each project must have total eligible costs between £150,000 and £250,000.
The competition is open to single applicants that are UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprises.
The deadline for applications is 29 April 2026 https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2419/overview/bb8d7d28-0e63-4ee1-bf4a-790dfb3ae02f
University of Huddersfield – Recruit a Placement Student
Here at the University of Huddersfield we have a dedicated Placements Team, who support students to secure 12-month industry work placements. We have students actively searching for a placement from a broad range of subjects, from Architecture & Construction, Business Management, Engineering, Marketing, Media, Finance, Fashion and Design to IT, Science and Quantity Surveying. Whatever your line of business, we are likely to have a student that is looking to gain invaluable experience in a ‘real-world’ setting.
The Placements Team are always keen to develop partnerships with businesses and have the opportunity to talk through the many benefits of employing a Placement student. These benefits include offering access fresh talent and new ideas, bringing a cost-effective additional resource into your business, and supporting your talent pipeline with a “try before you buy” recruitment approach.
If you would like to find out more about employing a Placement Student from the University of Huddersfield, please get in touch with the Placements Team placements@hud.ac.uk
https://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/placements
Help to Grow Management
The Help to Grow: Management Programme team at Huddersfield Business School are delighted to be launching a 12th cohort, starting 28th April 2026, and we’re proud to be the only business school in the region delivering the programme in the Spring.
Delivered weekly in 12 bite-sized sessions, Help to Grow offers:
- 50 hours of SME specific learning
- 10 Hours of 1-2-1 mentoring
- Peer mentoring
- Development of a growth action plan for your business
- Access to a UK-wide alumni network of like minded businesses
https://www.hud.ac.uk/helptogrow
Internships & Short Projects with our Undergraduate Marketing Students
Whether through short project collaborations or full internships, you can access emerging talent whilst contributing to the development of future professionals. Every opportunity is bespoke, designed collaboratively to ensure mutual benefit for both employer and student. Opportunities can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, and delivered over an agreed period of time.
Benefits to your organisation:
- Direct access to a developing talent pipeline
- Fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and innovative thinking
- Increased productivity through project-based support
- Professional development opportunities for your staff through mentoring
- Meaningful community engagement
- Strengthened partnership with the University
Our course Team provides full support throughout, including promotion, shortlisting and guidance to ensure a smooth, high quality experience. If you’re interested in hosting an intern, or exploring how a project could add value to your organisation please get in touch sbel-set@hud.ac.uk
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are government-funded programmes that connect UK businesses with university expertise and talented graduates to boost innovation, productivity and competitiveness. Working as a three-way collaboration, the process is designed to be straightforward and low‑effort for businesses. Once approved, a KTP Associate is jointly recruited to deliver the project, supported by both academic and industry supervisors and backed by extensive research resources.
https://research.hud.ac.uk/business/knowledge
Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains Competition Opens for UK SMEs
The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains: Potential High Growth SMEs Competition has opened to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in overcoming barriers to commercialisation and scaling within the UK. The scheme targets projects that improve resource efficiency or resilience in supply chains across six frontier industries: automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, batteries, agri-tech and space.
Eligible applicants must have developed a prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) at Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher. Projects should demonstrate a clear focus on one or more of the specified supply chains. The competition is open to single UK-registered SMEs.
Up to £2 million has been made available for this programme. Individual projects can request grant funding between £50,000 and £100,000. Grants may cover industrial research aimed at developing cross-cutting technologies applicable across the six industries.
Up to 50% of grant funding can be used to access support for activities linked to commercialisation and scaling, including commercialisation planning, financing strategies, revenue model development, sales and marketing plans, carbon and ESG strategies, impact assessment, market research, customer testing, risk management, intellectual property protection, regulatory support and operational costs for commercial pilots.
The deadline for applications is 22 April 2026. https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2423/overview/6207ec15-42c0-424f-a3b7-6bd3bfa11ff1
New Round of Grants for England’s Farming and Forestry Businesses
Applications are open for the 2026 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), which provides grants for businesses investing in equipment and technology. The support is intended to help improve productivity, animal health and welfare and slurry management across agricultural and forestry operations.
A total of £50 million has been allocated across three themes. Up to £20 million is available for productivity equipment and a further £20 million has been set aside for projects that improve animal health and welfare. Another £10 million has been allocated for slurry management. Applicants can request between £1,000 and £25,000 under each theme.
Businesses may apply to more than one theme, with a combined maximum grant value of £75,000 if applications are made across all three categories.
The funding is intended for the purchase of eligible equipment and technology that supports operational improvements within farming and forestry enterprises.
Eligible applicants include farming and forestry businesses in England involved in the production or processing of agricultural, horticultural or forestry products. Contractors and growers working in these sectors may also apply where proposed purchases support the stated objectives.
This round is expected to be the final standalone FETF round in its current format, with future arrangements due to combine elements of several grant initiatives from 2027.
The deadline for applications is 28 April 2026 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers
Yorkshire & Humber Tener Opportunities
https://yortender.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders?B=YORTENDER
For more information please and to discuss the AD:Venture support programme please contact them directly
AD:VENTURE – Business Support
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