Leeds City Region businesses urged to ‘take advantage’ of funding programme

Businesses across the Leeds City Region are being urged to seek support and funding through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and its network of partners.

The LEP’s multi-million pound Access Innovation programme supports businesses looking to develop new products and processes and to access the specialist expertise needed to achieve this.

Through the programme, businesses have access to the knowledge base that exists in the region, including the largest concentration of universities outside of London.

Businesses can also connect to other research intensive organisations, such as Catapult Centres which provide access to expert technical support, equipment, and other resources needed to turn innovative ideas into a reality.

The programme is part of the wider landscape of support aimed at creating an environment that nurtures innovation across the City Region.

Access Innovation is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Government through the LEP’s £1bn Growth Deal.

Roger Marsh OBE, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “Innovation drives economic growth and even better, it drives the kind of growth that benefits everyone.

“As the UK looks to new sources of economic growth beyond Brexit, businesses and policymakers are increasingly turning towards innovation to maintain the UK’s global competitiveness and create jobs and prosperity at home.

“We need to continue to build on our strong innovation pedigree and remember that innovation cannot happen in isolation or be led by one particular sector or Government department. I ask all businesses in our region to take advantage of the support and funding available to grow your business.”

Cllr Tim Swift, West Yorkshire Combined Authority lead for Business, Innovation and Growth, added: “Business innovation is a key element of the Leeds City Region’s Strategic Economic Plan and the Access Innovation programme is part of a wider package of support available to businesses in Leeds City Region through the LEP Growth Service.

“A one-stop shop for businesses of all sizes and stages of development, the Growth Service has supported over 3700 businesses across the region to date and this is set to increase over the coming year.”

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