South Yorkshire Launches Tech Welcome Grants

A new grant scheme has been launched designed to attract technology businesses to South Yorkshire, generating more digital jobs and boosting the region's economy.

The Tech Welcome Grant, funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, will provide grants of between £5,000 to £10,000 to businesses new to South Yorkshire and start-ups from outside the area to relocate here and create jobs in the region.

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said: "Thanks to our entrepreneurs, world-class research universities and talent pool, South Yorkshire is not just attracting but creating high-quality tech companies and high-value jobs. Innovation is part of South Yorkshire's DNA and we are going to make sure our region flourishes by working closely with stars of the sector to create an action plan for tech growth in our region.

"Digital and tech are the lifeblood of our economy; increasingly, every barrier is a digital or technology barrier, so it's a vital sector for the whole of South Yorkshire.

 "The ecosystem we are building here, and the assets we already have in South Yorkshire, will mean those businesses and people who do relocate will thrive here – creating more value for them, the region, and the UK."

The grant was launched at South Yorkshire's Tech Summit, which was attended by 188 digital and technology sector specialists and held at Cineworld in Barnsley.

The summit focused on the actions needed to ensure the right support, talent, finance, workspaces and culture are in place to help entrepreneurs and innovators from all backgrounds to achieve success. 

In addition to the South Yorkshire Tech Welcome scheme, the Invest Sheffield team are available to assist with relocation services, skills and talent attraction, location advise and grants application.