Innovative Entrepreneurs Programme fuels inclusive startup boom in West Yorkshire with record, diversity, jobs and investment

The West Yorkshire-based Innovative Entrepreneurs Programme (IEP) – delivered by a 12-partner consortium, led by Nexus and the University of Leeds – has published its independently conducted final report, revealing exceptional progress in driving regional economic renewal, diversity, and business growth. Launched in 2024 in direct response to the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan’s call for an “entrepreneurial revolution,” the IEP has been at the heart of efforts to foster innovation, resilience, and inclusion across the region, especially crucial in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Delivering on Regional Ambitions

IEP was created to remove persistent barriers to entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups in West Yorkshire. Expanding on the earlier BUILD pilot (developed by the MIT REAP team), the programme delivered an accessible, ambitious intervention supporting digital and tech, financial and professional services, green economy, healthtech, and creative sectors. The need was clear: the region reflected a national problem – a recognised lack of diversity in entrepreneurship and innovation, with barriers for people from underrepresented groups. IEP’s tailored support, outreach, and adaptations made entrepreneurship accessible to new talent – making the region’s innovation landscape more equitable and representative than ever before.

WYCA: Opening Routes to Innovation

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) funded this initiative to drive founder diversity, aligning with its strategic mission to “stimulate inclusive economic growth and resilience,” harness the strengths of local universities and institutions, and “open routes into innovation for underrepresented individuals and communities”. The programme’s priorities reflect WYCA’s larger ambition for creating good jobs, unlocking regional talent, and building a future-proof economy.

Diversity by Design: A True Portrait of Regional Talent
IEP set, tracked, and exceeded ambitious targets for representation and inclusion:

• Geographical Reach: 41% of start-ups came from outside Leeds, exceeding the minimum 30% target and ensuring true pan-regional engagement.
• Gender Balance: With 54% female participation, the programme outperformed its 50% goal, setting a new bar for gender inclusion in enterprise.
• Enabling Diverse Applications: 26% of applicants disclosed a disability or neurodiverse condition. Stories like Freya’s (a legally blind founder able to apply independently) highlight major steps forward in accessibility.
• Ethnic Diversity: 55% of applicants came from Black, Asian, or other Ethnic Minority backgrounds -surpassing the 50% target and reflecting West Yorkshire’s true demographic strength.
These outcomes – “core to the programme’s rationale and sustained impact”- demonstrate IEP’s lasting difference across the business landscape.

Outstanding Results: Investment, Jobs & Community

• Secured Over £1m in Investment: Programme participants attracted over £1 million in external funding during and after their IEP journey. While some founders had previous support, the report finds strong evidence that IEP was a “significant enabler.”
• Job Creation: IEP ventures created or safeguarded over 74 new jobs, directly attributed to the start-ups supported.
• Enduring Entrepreneurial Community: Participants praise the “standout” entrepreneurial community IEP created – with many continuing to collaborate, mentor, and support each other long after the formal programme.
• Diversity of Businesses: 79 ventures spanning health, creative, tech and social enterprise sectors took part, with diverse founding teams – ensuring the business mix reflects the full spectrum of West Yorkshire’s economic strengths.

A Model Partnership Ecosystem

IEP’s achievements were only possible through the outstanding collaboration of 12 partner organisations across West Yorkshire’s sub-regions. This multi-partner consortium delivered a comprehensive support model, providing expert coaching, academic content, core entrepreneurial learning, vital physical space, and ecosystem connections that were collectively recognised as playing a critical role in the programme’s success.

Wider Regional Impact and Next Steps

IEP’s unique blend of academic rigour, commercial expertise, and inclusive community-building has reinvigorated West Yorkshire’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and set a new regional – and national – standard for innovation support. The programme’s final report calls for the expansion of such collaborative, diverse support models and a continued focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and social change for years to come.