Yorkshire businesses secure £800,000 in innovation grants

Seventeen businesses in Yorkshire have been awarded a share of £800,000 through the ‘Great Ideas’ innovation programme. The funding, which includes individual grants of up to £60,000, was distributed following a pitch competition held in York.

The projects receiving support cover a diverse range of sectors, including AI-enabled production, recruitment technology, micro-farming innovation, and product development intended for international markets. One successful recipient, York-based SealStop, secured the maximum £60,000 grant to accelerate its product launch.

Developed in partnership with business support specialist UMi, the Great Ideas programme is part of the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire’s wider Business Innovation Fund. This initiative aims to provide transformational grants and expert advice to help local businesses develop new concepts, access finance, and expand into new markets.