Innovation@Leeds 2023 -25 UKSPF Funded Programme

In January 2024, Leeds City Council intend go out to tender for accelerator and skills provision to pre-approved suppliers on the Employment and Skills DPS (contract id 47772 / DN310329 on the Mercell YORTender platform). This message is intended to raise awareness of the upcoming tender mini-competition for the new Innovation@Leeds 2023-25 multi-year delivery contracts and to encourage suitable suppliers to apply to join the E&S DPS Category 12 by Monday 11 December 2023.

To bid, suppliers must be a registered, pre-approved supplier on the E&S DPS before the mini-competition is published. If interested, please go to https://yortender.eu-supply.com/

Further guidance on the application process can be found by searching for contract name DN310329 or contract ref 47772. For registration support/queries please email: ukspf@leeds.gov.uk

The programme will have two distinct but interlinked elements -

1. Acceleration support for founders, start-ups and scale ups to develop, test and scale new technologies and business models which can unlock future growth for the city and region.
2. Co-ordinated skills training and interventions to inspire the talent of tomorrow and equip young people from diverse backgrounds to understand pathways to entrepreneurship and benefit from the growth within Finance and Professional Services.

Background

The Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy sets our vision for creating growth that works for everyone. One of our big ideas to support the delivery of inclusive growth is to 'stimulate innovation which drives and delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future'. Finance and Professional Services remains a key growth area for Leeds and vibrant communities have developed around FinTech, Legal Tech and increasingly green finance with the support of the public and private sector and universities.

Leeds City Council now intends to catalyse further collaboration and growth by commissioning a programme of work under the 'Innovation@Leeds' brand to support the development of entrepreneurs and their businesses as they start-up and scale businesses in finance and professional services. This new programme will aim to support the development and adoption of new technologies and business models specifically to drive productivity, net zero and more accessible and equitable services in the Finance and Professional Services cluster. It will also support people from diverse backgrounds to develop the skills necessary to start and grow businesses in finance and professional services or take their entrepreneurial skills into established businesses.

The programme's outputs, outcomes and evidence requirements will be guided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

LCC will expect the following outcomes from the work:

Improved business support offers for Leeds based enterprises through incubators and accelerators which can support entrepreneurs and start-ups through the early stages of development and growth by offering a combination of services including account management, advice, resources, training, coaching, mentorship, and access to workspace.

Strengthened Leeds entrepreneurial ecosystem, and support businesses at all stages of their development to start, sustain, grow, and innovate, including through local networks.