£3 million innovation project set to drive growth

A new initiative aims to drive growth and innovation across South Yorkshire, providing tailored support to businesses and organisations in the region.

The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP), backed by £3 million funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, has officially launched.

Led by Sheffield Hallam University, in partnership with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Council, the programme offers access to expert consultancy, academic-led innovation audits, professional interventions and state-of-the-art facilities, providing businesses with a “brilliant opportunity” to “forge new partnerships”.

Both of Sheffield’s universities have a proven track record of driving innovation. Sheffield Hallam University recently helped Inside Theatre create state-of-the-art 3D virtual models for stage productions, while the University of Sheffield supported Automated Analytics in using advanced AI to scale its services. The SYIP will build on these successes to support a wide range of industries.

Professor Conor Moss, executive dean of the college of business, technology and engineering and of Sheffield Business School, at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “There are more opportunities for businesses and organisations to thrive in South Yorkshire now than there ever have been before.

“The key is innovation, and we are delighted to be leading this programme to help people in our region to scale-up and reach their goals. 

“At Sheffield Hallam, we believe in collaboration and in championing our region. SYIP will help us to take cutting-edge research and knowledge from our academics and turn it into tangible advice and outcomes for businesses."  

His comments were echoed by Professor Sue Hartley, vice-president for research and innovation at the University of Sheffield, who added: “At the University of Sheffield we’re committed to collaborating with partners across the region to drive innovation and fuel economic growth.

“This ambitious programme is a brilliant opportunity to build on our successes and forge new partnerships with businesses and organisations of all sizes.

“We look forward to learning more about regional organisations’ specific challenges and aspirations, and how we can harness our world-leading research and expertise to help them innovate and grow in a rapidly changing landscape.”

The programme is open to organisations of all sizes and sectors within South Yorkshire, requiring participants to contribute a percentage of project costs based on their size. Funding support will also be available.

Speaking at the launch event held by the SYIP at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Our ideas powered the industrial revolution.

"We invented the world’s most popular sport. We’ve created products that are used worldwide, from New York fire hydrants that are made in Rotherham to the McLaren supercar in Sheffield.

“McLaren, Boeing and Rolls Royce already work alongside brilliant local businesses, in and around our world-class advanced manufacturing district.

“My mission is to build a bigger and better economy but to do that we need to create new industries and jobs for the future.

“Innovation is how we will achieve this vision and we can’t do that by just focusing on one sector or capability. We’ll only do it by working in partnership and that’s why I’m pleased to be investing in the Innovation Programme.

“There is talent and opportunity right across our region and by investing in our people and places we can unlock South Yorkshire’s full potential.”

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