York's £2.5M Great Ideas fund backs 17 businesses in first round
What's the deal? The York and North Yorkshire Combined AuthorityDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has awarded £800,000 to 17 Yorkshire businesses through its £2.5 million Great Ideas programme. Each secured a grant of up to £60,000 after pitching at York's West Offices in a Dragons' Den-style contest.
Where's the money going? Backed projects span AI-enabled production improvements, recruitment technology, micro-farming innovation, and product development aimed at overseas expansion. Alongside the cash, eligible firms receive personalised innovation support.
Who benefits? Among the winners was York-based SealStopDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, founded by Belle Richardson. "We secured the £60,000 that we pitched for, which is incredible, and now means we can bring out our product," she said, adding that the grant had "sped up getting that new product to market."
What's the endgame? Great Ideas, developed with business support specialist UMiDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, sits within the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire's wider Business Innovation Fund. That fund runs five programmes covering sector activity, spin-outs and startups, exporting, access to funding, and innovation.
Why now? David Skaith, the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, framed the awards as proof the region is "open for business." He pointed to firms "using AI to unlock productivity in factories" and "sustainable thinking to help our farmers save water and money."
The signal: UMi wants the scheme to travel. Simon Goon, its chief technology and investment officer, said the programme helps small and medium businesses "overcome financial barriers" and could "become a blueprint for others across the length and breadth of the UK."
Read more: bdaily.co.uk
Image credit: Samuel Mann
