Seven-figure funding to boost digital enterprise for West Yorkshire businesses

Digital Enterprise has secured £4.6m funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to encourage businesses in West Yorkshire to invest in digital.

As the new round of funding is now live, the clock is already ticking for businesses to access the support they need for growth. This third Digital Enterprise (DE3) programme will end in March 2025, giving businesses just over 12 months to apply for funding.

Digital Enterprise has two levels of grant funding available. Eligible businesses considering a digital investment between £2,000 to £25k can apply for a Digital Accelerator Grant for up to 50 per cent of the project costs, with a ceiling value of £10k.

New for DE3 is a limited number of High Impact Grants for substantial and transformative digital projects, eligible businesses can receive up to 50 per cent contribution, (capped at a maximum value of £35k) towards new digital projects costing between £25,000 and £100k.

High Impact projects will take longer to complete, further reducing the time businesses have to apply for this next level of funding. Representatives from DE3 are encouraging businesses to come forward sooner rather than later, in order to take full advantage of the support available.

The new programme includes a streamlined application process that allows hardware, software, technology, connectivity and internet upgrades to be combined within a single application.

Businesses will also receive impartial advice and support from their dedicated Digital Advisor, who will be on hand throughout the application process to help them make the best use of digital solutions.

Digital Enterprise Programme Manager, Suzanne Bradbury, said: “We’re here to support West Yorkshire based businesses looking to scale up. While we are not prescriptive about business sectors, this grant funding is for growth-focussed businesses, operating for more than three years that need investment in digital innovation to propel them to the next stage.

“We know businesses are facing a myriad of challenges and are increasingly having to do more with less in order to survive. Technology can play a key role in overcoming those challenges, and we are here to provide businesses in the region with the advice and financial support needed to help them progress and grow.”

Since its launch in 2016, Digital Enterprise has provided over £12m in funding and helped over 2,700 businesses through its grant funding and business support programme, including Leeds based businesses White Label Loyalty and VTR North.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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