Empowering businesses to start, grow, and succeed
North Yorkshire offers a robust network of business support services designed to help enterprises at every stage, whether you’re launching, scaling, or thriving. Our dedicated team provides free, impartial guidance to businesses of all sizes and sectors, ensuring you have the resources and expertise to achieve your goals.
Comprehensive support for start-ups
Starting a business in North Yorkshire? We make the process straightforward. Our Business North Yorkshire team will connect you to the right support, ensuring you have everything you need from day one. This includes help in accessing and navigating essential council services such as Trading Standards, Environmental Health, and Licensing, so you can stay compliant and operate with confidence.
You can also access valuable resources, including market insights, funding opportunities and practical business guides, through the council’s library services and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
Image credit - NYC and Castle Howard
Driving growth and innovation
We offer a full suite of support services to help businesses of every size and sector grow, innovate, and thrive.
Whether you need help securing funding through loans, grants, or investors, or you’re looking to build skills through training and apprenticeships, we’re here to support you. We can help you expand into new markets through exporting and supply chain development, forge strategic partnerships, and boost your sales and marketing with brand development, data analytics, and digital strategies.
We also support businesses to improve customer retention through excellent service, make the most of cutting‑edge technologies and intellectual property, and embed sustainability and responsible practices.
Whatever your ambition, we provide free, tailored guidance to accelerate your business success.
Image credit - Labman
Funding support
Every business needs the right financial strategy to scale and we’re here to help you find it. Business North Yorkshire offers expert guidance on a wide range of funding solutions tailored to your stage and goals. From reinvesting profits and bootstrapping to securing loans or lines of credit, attracting angel investors or venture capital, leveraging crowdfunding, accessing government and local grants, or joining structured incubator and accelerator programme, we’ll help you choose the best route to power your growth.
Image credit - Alaur Rahman
Take your business global
North Yorkshire businesses have everything they need to succeed in international markets. From funding and expert advice from Department for Business and Trade to tailored strategic guidance, we help you navigate every step. Access national resources, export roadshows, market research, and insights on international regulations and cultural considerations. Whether you’re exploring new markets or scaling globally, we’ll provide the tools and expertise to make it happen.
Expand your reach with the Supply Chain Network
The Supply Chain Network, developed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in partnership with Hull City Council and the HEY Growth Hub, helps businesses across the region, including North Yorkshire, strengthen local supply chains and unlock new opportunities. By registering for free on the Supplier Directory, your business gains visibility with potential buyers and access to the Opportunities Map, where you can discover contracts, projects, and supply chain prospects.
Registration is quick and free, giving you full control over your profile, marketing preferences, and notifications, all in one easy-to-use platform.
Our Business North Yorkshire team play a central role in coordinating and delivering high‑quality business support across North Yorkshire’s network of public sector organisations. Working collaboratively with local authorities, regional growth bodies, skills providers, and national programmes, we ensure that businesses receive consistent, targeted, and accessible support regardless of location or sector.
Delivering with these trusted organisations
Align Chartered Surveyors
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Align Chartered Surveyors, part of the Align Group and wholly owned by North Yorkshire Council, provides expert commercial property services across the region. As RICS-regulated specialists, they deliver tailored advice on property acquisitions, valuations, asset management, and development, supporting both the Council and private businesses to unlock opportunities, maximise value, and drive growth.
Business Improvement Districts
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Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are business-led partnerships created through a ballot process to deliver extra services and improvements in local trading areas for five-year terms. In North Yorkshire, BIDs in Harrogate, Northallerton, Ripon and Skipton work with North Yorkshire Council to enhance town centres, improve safety, support businesses with training and recruitment, and fund initiatives like CCTV, recycling schemes, and major events.
British Business Bank
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The British Business Bank is the UK’s government-owned bank that helps small businesses access finance through loans, guarantees, and investment programmes, supporting growth and innovation nationwide.
City of York Council
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City of York Council is the unitary authority for York, delivering local services and shaping the city’s future. They work closely with North Yorkshire Council through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority - a partnership that unlocks devolved powers and funding to invest in transport, housing, skills, business growth, and sustainability across the region.
Department for Business & Trade
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The Department for Business and Trade partners with North Yorkshire Council to deliver national business support locally. This includes access to the UK Export Academy, funding, trade and investment services, and sector development initiatives. They help businesses by providing tailored advice, skills programmes, access to finance, and inward investment opportunities, ensuring local firms benefit from national strategies while meeting regional economic priorities.
Federation of Small Businesses
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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK’s leading membership organisation for small businesses, offering advice, financial expertise, networking, and a strong voice in government. In North Yorkshire, FSB works closely with North Yorkshire Council through initiatives like the Small Business Engagement Accord, ensuring local SMEs are represented in policy decisions and supported with events, resources, and advocacy to help them grow and thrive.
Innovate UK Business Connect
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Innovate UK Business Connect helps businesses accelerate innovation by connecting them with funding, networks, and expert partners across all sectors. Through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council, it supports regional priorities via the Business Innovation Programme and Local Action Plan, providing tailored advice, collaboration opportunities, and access to national innovation resources. This partnership ensures local businesses can scale, develop new products, and compete globally by leveraging Innovate UK’s expertise and connections.
Ny Net
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NYnet powers North Yorkshire businesses with ultra-fast, reliable full-fibre connectivity. As a locally managed network, they deliver guaranteed speeds, rapid installations, and flexible upgrades, backed by expert support from their Harrogate-based team. From high-speed broadband and secure VPNs to tailored solutions for business parks and cyber security training, NYnet helps your business stay connected, competitive, and ready for the future.
Nytech
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NYtech helps North Yorkshire businesses stay secure and resilient in a digital world. As the region’s cyber security and digital forensics specialists, they work with North Yorkshire Council and local enterprises to deliver expert cyber health checks, data recovery, and tailored security solutions, protecting your business and building confidence online.
Teesside University
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Teesside University is a modern, research-active university based in Middlesbrough, known for its strong links with industry and commitment to social inclusion. It works with North Yorkshire Council and the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the BioIndustrial Cluster North, a partnership driving clean growth and innovation in sustainable materials and chemicals. This collaboration aims to grow the regional bioeconomy by £5 billion, create thousands of skilled jobs, and support new start-ups and skills development across the region.
West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
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The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce connects and supports businesses across the region through networking, trade services, and advocacy. Working with North Yorkshire Council, it helps shape economic strategy and creates opportunities for local businesses to grow and trade globally.
York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
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The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is a devolved body led by an elected Mayor, created by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council to unlock government funding and powers, working in partnership with both councils to deliver region-wide investment in jobs, transport, housing, skills, and sustainability.
York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub
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The York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub work with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council to provide free, expert business support to help local enterprises start, grow, and scale. Working closely with these regional partners, it offers tailored advice, access to funding, skills development, and innovation programmes, empowering businesses to boost productivity, leadership, and sustainability.
York St John University
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York St John University partners with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council to shape inclusive growth and wellbeing across the region. Through initiatives like the Policy Lab, the university helps develop evidence-based policies on issues such as sustainable tourism and rural development. It also works with local authorities on health research and supports enterprise through its Business Centre and Growth Hub collaborations, driving innovation and opportunities for communities across North Yorkshire.
University of York
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The University of York is a leading Russell Group institution, renowned for research excellence and innovation. Working closely with North Yorkshire Council, the university supports regional growth through initiatives such as BioYorkshire, the Institute for Safe Autonomy, and XR Stories, driving progress in sustainability, digital creativity, and advanced technologies and collaborating on health research, evidence-based policymaking, and skills development to create a thriving, inclusive economy and improve wellbeing across North Yorkshire.
YOR Tender
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YORtender is the online procurement portal for Yorkshire and Humber, giving businesses easy access to tender opportunities from local authorities, including North Yorkshire Council. It streamlines the bidding process by providing a single, secure platform for registering, receiving alerts, submitting bids, and managing contracts, helping businesses connect with public sector projects and grow through collaboration.
Businesses we've helped
Case Study: HECK!
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HECK! Food is a North Yorkshire-based food manufacturer, producing high-quality sausages and meat products for national retailers. As the business has grown, it has developed a strong reputation not only for its innovation and quality, but also for its commitment to supporting wider community and workforce agendas.
Image source: Heck!
Case Study: Silicone Straw Company
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The Silicone Straw Co began with a simple frustration: soggy paper straws. Founder Charlotte Walsh wanted a durable, safe and pleasant-to-use alternative for her family. When she couldn’t find one, she created it, launching the UK’s first reusable silicone drinking straw.
Image source: Silicone Straw Co
Case Study: Cooper King Distillery
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Producing English whisky and cold-distilled gin, Cooper King Distillery is an award-winning, independent distillery based in Sutton-on-the-Forest, North Yorkshire. Founded in 2016 by Dr Abbie Neilson and Chris Jaume, the business was self-built and crowdfunded, with sustainability embedded at its heart.
Image source: Cooper King
Case Study: Vicky Tucker
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Vicky Tucker is a professional artist specialising in hyper‑realistic animal portraiture and detailed landscape work. She creates commissioned pieces for clients across the UK and internationally, alongside an extensive range of originals, prints and cards available through her online shop. Based in the North Yorkshire Moors, Vicky is a committed conservationist and regularly donates artwork and a percentage of profits to wildlife charities.
Image source: Vicky Tucker