Start Up Loans can now support even more businesses 🤝
Their eligibility has changed and businesses trading for up to 5 years can now apply. Expanding their criteria so business owners can access funding and mentoring further along their business journey.
@BritishBusinessBank
Join the Business Support Service on Wednesday 27th May (12-1pm) for our #Marketing for Growth webinar, designed to help pre‑start and early‑stage businesses build a clear, practical marketing plan from day one.
This live, interactive session will cover:
📣 What marketing really means for a new business (and what it doesn’t)
🎯 Understanding your ideal customer and their needs
💬 Creating clear, confident messaging and a strong value proposition
📍 Choosing the right marketing channels and low‑cost ideas
📝 Turning learning into action with a simple 30–60–90 day marketing plan
⚠️ Common marketing pitfalls to avoid
Whether you’re just shaping an idea or preparing to launch, this session will help you strengthen your confidence, avoid costly mistakes, and take practical steps towards sustainable business growth.
Not sure where to turn for innovation support?
Join us for a clear, practical guide to accessing advisers, specialists and universities — without the jargon.
Wednesday 13 May 10:00-11:00
Ready to do more with digital?
You’ve built strong foundations, now take your next step with Digital Knowledge Exchange.
Sign up for free access to practical online resources and be first in line for ongoing expert support when the programme begins.
The final cohort starts July 2026. Fully funded by the Department for Business and Trade, the programme helps #Yorkshire businesses work smarter, market better, and grow with confidence.
Register by 19 June — places are limited.
👉 https://ow.ly/1O2V50YSmZH
Ready to build confidence with digital? #WestYorkshire businesses can access Digital Knowledge Exchange, a free programme helping small businesses take practical steps across the digital topics that matter most 👇
🧠 Artificial intelligence (AI)
📣 Digital marketing
🤝 CRM systems
☁️ Cloud software & productivity tools
🔐 Cyber security & data protection
You’ll get clear, practical guidance to help you understand these areas and start using the right tools for your business, no jargon, no pressure, just support you can act on.
✅ Free to join
✅ Designed for small businesses
✅ Flexible support at your pace
West Yorkshire businesses 👋 Want digital to actually work for you?
Digital Knowledge Exchange is a free programme designed to help you get real value from digital technology — without the jargon 💬
What you’ll get:
⏱ Save time and money with practical, step‑by‑step guidance tailored to your business
📈 Grow your business by reaching more customers online
🧠 Work smarter using tools like AI, CRM and cloud software to boost productivity
🔐 Keep your business safe with expert cyber security and data protection support
It’s free to join, easy to understand, and gives you instant access to practical digital support you can use at your own pace.
.@oracledrivesautomation design and build electrical control panels for industry, supporting production facilities across the North East 🌍 and beyond.
Through Durham Business Growth, they received hands‑on support to:
🔍 Review how the business operates
⚙️ Improve processes and best practice
📦 Introduce a new stock control system linked to their website
🤝 Access trusted local contacts to support their growth plans
The programme helped them understand where they want to go and how they’re going to get there 🧭
@RTCNorth
#BusinessDurham
#DurhamBusinessGrowth #BusinessGrowth #NorthEastBusiness #ManufacturingUK #EngineeringBusiness #WeAreUMi
Securing funding shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.
Get Funded is a fully funded programme, delivered by UMi for North & North Yorkshire Combined Authority, helping SMEs across York & North Yorkshire understand their finance options, get investment‑ready, and apply with confidence.
Whether you’re exploring grants, loans or equity, you’ll get:
✅ Clear, jargon‑free guidance
🎓 Expert‑led workshops and webinars
🧰 Practical tools via UMi Sat Nav for Business
🤝 The chance to access one‑to‑one coaching
No jargon. No cost. Just clear, expert-led guidance to help you secure the funding your business needs to grow.
#WeAreUMi #GetFunded #BusinessFunding #SMEGrowth #YorkshireBusiness #WestYorkshire
Join our colleagues on the Business Support Service for our upcoming webinar, Understanding Your Intellectual Property, delivered in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office UK.
In this practical session held on 16th April between 11:00-12:00, you’ll gain a clear overview of the main types of IP, including trade marks, copyright, patents, registered designs and learn how they can be used to protect your ideas, enhance your brand, and unlock the full value of your business assets.
Whether you're at the early stages of your journey or looking to protect and scale your business, this session will help you build confidence and understanding around IP.
You’ll hear from expert speakers Jordan Laidler, Business Support Service and Nicholas Chard, Intellectual Property Office.
✨ Celebrating North East Female Founders!
Yesterday, our very own Julie Cuthbertson represented UMi at 11 Downing Street, joining 50 amazing founders and super-connectors to celebrate female-led businesses driving growth across the North East.
Hosted by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon Rachel Reeves MP, the event shone a spotlight on:
✨ Our region’s thriving start-up and scale-up community
✨ The incredible impact of women entrepreneurs
✨ Collaboration between government, investors, and industry
So proud to see the North East represented at this level and our female founders getting the recognition they deserve! 💙👆
#WEAREUMi
That’s a wrap on Manchester Airport Meet the Buyer 2026 ✨
From first introductions to future partnerships, today has shown the real impact of bringing buyers and suppliers together in one focused, efficient space.
The day has been filled with valuable conversations, new connections, and genuine opportunities for growth.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event such a success. 👏
Interested in what’s next for 2027? 🤞
🔗 Visit the link in our bio!
We’re live at Manchester Airport Meet the Buyer 2026 ✈️
Today is all about connecting Greater Manchester businesses directly with major buyers, all in one place. No cold calls. No endless email chasing. Just real conversations and real opportunities.
With 25+ buyers and over 150 suppliers coming together, the focus is on building meaningful connections and strengthening local supply chains.
Event introductions are now underway, with Suzanne McCreedy from WE ARE UMi and Peter Lederer from Manchester Airport kicking things off.
A strong start to what promises to be a highly productive day. 👇
#ManchesterMTB
