Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Partnership extended to help digital and creative businesses to grow
The Leeds Digital Hub, an inspirational tech office and co-working space, provides digital, creative and media businesses with a supportive environment, and access to university expertise that facilitates collaborative working and onsite support to grow early-stage and growing businesses.
Delivered in partnership with The Yorkshire Post, the Leeds Digital Hub is part of a network of Leeds Beckett University Business Centres which have been operating for more than 15 years. Over 200 businesses across the region are currently located in the University’s private, shared and co-working spaces, which to date have supported over 800 businesses to accelerate their growth.
Speaking about the partnership, Andrew Slade, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise at Leeds Beckett, said: “Leeds Beckett prides itself on being a regional university and as such plays a key role in supporting the economic growth of our region. This not only sees us developing the skills in the region’s employees of the future but we also actively support business creation and growth within our region.
“Digital businesses play a key role in the growth of our regional economy, creating high growth businesses and high value jobs. We are delighted to work in partnership with The Yorkshire Post to support the growth of this important sector in our University Business Centre in Leeds, and also to deliver the Innovation Network through our regional partnership; working together to give business communities wider access to the research findings and expertise of our University.”
Tenant of the Leeds Digital Hub, Leon Doyle, CEO of Wifiplug and former BBC Apprentice contestant, added: “The Digital Hub offers great networking and collaborative opportunities. Being based with The Yorkshire Post is really handy for accessing business journalists to promote new products and projects.”
Mark Casci, Business Editor at the Yorkshire Post said: "SMEs are the lifeblood of Yorkshire's economy and start-ups play a crucial role in this. We are delighted to be able to support and host so many innovative companies at our offices and I look forward to working with the new unit immensely.
"Yorkshire has been a hot bed of entrepreneurial activity for centuries and the tech sector is home to hundreds of fascinating and innovative companies. The Digital Hub will hopefully take this to a new level."
The Leeds Digital Hub allows businesses to access prestigious Leeds city centre-registered business address, newly-renovated office space with high speed broadband as well as co-working and hot-desk facilities. Companies will also receive Leeds Beckett business advice and mentoring, professional training and development as well as access to knowledge transfer and research expertise.
Clients will receive regular exclusive training and events with the Yorkshire Post team as well as guaranteed regular coverage to promote their business in the business pages of The Yorkshire Post and discounted use of The Yorkshire Post’s events and conferencing spaces.
In addition, clients will enjoy free access to Leeds Beckett’s network of business lounges, which are shared with specialist member organisations and will have the opportunity to attend free innovation networking events, where leading experts and entrepreneurs come together to inspire and support business growth. Clients also receive one year’s free membership of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, plus free access to two or more of their networking events.
Leeds Beckett, in partnership with Calderdale Council, recently launched a new initiative to drive growth amongst early-stage and growing businesses. The University Business Centre will be based at Piece Mill in Halifax, situated next to the historic Piece Hall, which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound transformation programme and will re-open later this year