AN ‘Enterprise Zone’ in the centre of Bradford that supports a growing business sector is getting extra funding to continue its work.
The University of Bradford is one of three West Yorkshire locations to host Enterprise Zones, and today West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin unveiled a new, multi-million pound support scheme to boost the reach of the zones.
The Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford is the business arm of a £4.8 million Research England investment into the University’s Centre for Digital Innovations in Health and Social Care.
Is the past 18 months, it has helped dozens of businesses by allowing access to high-tech health equipment that the businesses could not afford by themselves.
It is one of three Enterprise Zones in West Yorkshire, with the others being a ‘National Health Innovation Campus’ at the University of Huddersfield and a Leeds Innovation Village at the site of Leeds General Infirmary.
On Tuesday, Ms Brabin announced £4.5 million of new funding that will see up to 240 businesses receive intensive support and masterclasses from the three Enterprise Zones over the next four years.
She says the funding will help them to navigate regulations, break into new markets, and overcome barriers to growth.
Funding for a new National Enterprise Zone programme was first announced by the Conservative Government in 2023.
Describing the Bradford Zone, West Yorkshire Combined Authority says: “The University of Bradford supports business growth, knowledge sharing and skills development by bringing together academics, health practitioners and businesses.
“It has supported more than 40 businesses over the last 18 months to access its high-end instrumentation.
“Through free taster projects, these companies have developed new products and solved tough quality issues, experiencing the positive impact of working with universities.
“Now, with initial investment of £900,000 from the Investment Zone, the Digitisation Hub will acquire new equipment and grow its services to the healthtech sector in the region.”
Referring to the extra investment, a WYCA spokesman said: “Companies with a commitment to growing in the region, creating good local jobs and benefitting local patients, will be chief among those eligible.
“The support will be delivered in partnership with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, opening up a peer-to-peer network of hundreds of companies which can offer guidance, mentorship and knowledge-sharing.”
The support scheme was announced by Ms Brabin to an audience of businesses and scientists at the Yorkshire Bio-Partnering 2025 conference on Tuesday, co-hosted by the University of Bradford and the North’s leading life sciences non-profit membership organisation, Bionow.
She said: “The first priority of our Local Growth Plan is to boost our region’s fastest growing business sectors, because we know that’s how we’re going to drive investment, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
“Today, we’re launching £4.5 million of new support for our world-leading health technology firms, which already generate £3 billion for our economy but could go even further with the right backing.
“This will help with access to finance, skills and workspace to bolster collaboration with hospitals and universities, boosting growth and helping us build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”
Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: “This landmark investment recognises the incredible potential of West Yorkshire’s healthtech sector to drive innovation, improve patient care, and stimulate our regional economy. We are excited to collaborate with the West Yorkshire Mayor to foster a thriving health innovation ecosystem that supports businesses and delivers long-term impact across the region.”
A University of Bradford spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be playing a key role in supporting the growth of Healthtech companies across the region through the West Yorkshire Mayor’s scheme.
“The funding announced today will expand a scheme pioneered at the University of Bradford that has already helped local companies to grow sales and reduce costs by millions of pounds per year.
“We are proud to help with creating new opportunities, business growth and sharing skills and knowledge and we look forward to welcoming our first firms to the new project.”
The new support for the healthtech sector has been funded through the first half of the £160 million, ten-year Investment Zone devolved to the region, for which £80 million has been secured from the government.
