The Innovation@Leeds funding, launched by Leeds City Council, is set to empower seven innovative projects with grants of up to £25,000 each, aimed at boosting entrepreneurship in fields like AI, green technology, and FinTech. This initiative not only promises to enhance skills and networking opportunities but also envisions a vibrant, inclusive economic growth for the city of Leeds while fostering a healthier environment for all.
What is the purpose of the Innovation@Leeds funding?
The Innovation@Leeds funding, provided by Leeds City Council, aims to bolster business innovation and support budding entrepreneurs in dynamic sectors like AI, green tech, and FinTech. It provides up to £25,000 to selected projects for knowledge-sharing, mentoring, and skills development, fostering a healthier, greener living environment and stimulating inclusive economic growth in Leeds.
Business Support Through Innovation@Leeds
Leeds City Council’s commitment to fostering business innovation has taken a significant leap forward with the confirmation of funding for seven groundbreaking projects. The Innovation@Leeds programme, which spearheads this initiative, is integral to the city’s strategy for enhancing its reputation as a hub for digital and technological advancement. A competitive application process saw 40 hopefuls vie for the grants, with the winning seven receiving up to £25,000 each. This investment is earmarked for knowledge-sharing events and mentoring programmes, designed to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds with ambitions to develop innovation-led businesses.
The council anticipates that these efforts will cultivate essential skills and networking opportunities. Participants are expected to make strides in dynamic sectors, including artificial intelligence and health and financial technology. Long-term, these burgeoning businesses are poised to contribute innovative products and services, aligning with Leeds’ aspirations for a healthier, greener living environment. Moreover, the economic implications are profound, as these grants aim to stimulate inclusive growth and attract external investments by showcasing the city’s innovative capabilities.
The Recipients of Innovation@Leeds Funding
An array of initiatives has been chosen to receive this crucial funding, each with unique contributions to the city’s innovation landscape. The recipients are as follows:
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GreenTech Gathering: A series of four comprehensive workshops, this initiative will arm green technology businesses with insights on investor readiness and brand strategy. Key collaborators include madeby.studio, Sustainable Ventures, Bruntwood SciTech, and Optimo.
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FinTech North: This programme will provide a platform for mentoring, workshops, and public speaking opportunities. Entrepreneurs will hone their pitching and presenting skills, essential for future business leaders.
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The Brand Lab: Creative design studio Buttercrumble will lead a series of workshops focusing on connecting tech organizations with their target audiences. Techniques such as visual storytelling and inclusive communication will be central to this initiative.
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Athena VC Elevate: Lifted Ventures is set to run this venture capital-focused programme, giving business founders tools and insights needed for rapid growth and long-term success.
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Quick Labs: Offering business support that includes grant-writing assistance and one-to-one mentoring, Quick Labs is an innovation hub providing start-ups with affordable, fully-equipped lab space.
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Global Innovators: Aiming to assist businesses in understanding and achieving their international growth potential, this programme is a collaboration between Creaticity, Synhrgy, and Investor Ladder.
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AI 360 Leeds: Part of the AI Tech UK business support portfolio, this programme will educate on artificial intelligence strategies and their application for business growth.
These chosen initiatives underscore the council’s dedication to democratizing opportunities in the burgeoning digital sector.
A Vision for the Future of Leeds
The latest grants issued by Innovation@Leeds are supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered at a local level by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The disbursement aligns with a city-wide vision to stimulate innovation, co-created by the council and key local partners, with an emphasis on yielding positive social outcomes. Part of this vision involves the transformation of the Leeds Innovation Arc, which is poised to become an even more vibrant area that fosters collaboration among educational, health, cultural, and business entities.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, emphasized the council’s role in unlocking potential across diverse communities. “These Innovation@Leeds grants are a great example of how that ambition can be achieved, with the chosen projects set to offer expert insight and guidance to a diverse range of founders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers,” Pryor stated. He emphasized the interconnectedness of individual success and the city’s prosperity, as thriving businesses contribute to the economy by generating jobs and creating opportunities. Pryor concluded, “By sharing knowledge and expertise, the projects also underline how a collaborative approach to working can help our thriving innovation sector reach even greater heights.”
This strategic move by Leeds City Council heralds a promising future for locally-driven innovation, with a ripple effect that could strengthen the city’s economic fabric and societal wellbeing. As these projects unfold, they are expected to become pivotal in establishing Leeds as an exemplar of inclusivity and innovation in the modern urban landscape.
- The Innovation@Leeds funding initiative, launched by Leeds City Council, grants up to £25,000 to seven innovative projects aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship in sectors like AI, green technology, and FinTech.
- A competitive application process narrowed down 40 applicants to seven successful projects, which will receive funding for knowledge-sharing events and mentoring programmes.
- The recipients include initiatives such as GreenTech Gathering, FinTech North, and AI 360 Leeds, each designed to empower diverse entrepreneurs with essential skills and networking opportunities.
- The grants are supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and align with a city-wide vision to stimulate innovation and foster collaboration among various sectors within Leeds.
- Councillor Jonathan Pryor highlighted the importance of these initiatives in unlocking potential across communities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual success and the overall prosperity of the city.