Kirklees Innovation Voucher Scheme
Need help to turn your idea into a solution that supports business growth?
Innovate to access new markets, increase your revenue, build knowledge or save costs by becoming more efficient!
Kirklees-based businesses over one-year-old, with less than 250 employees can apply for grant funding of £1,500 - £5,000 towards the development of a new product, or a new or improved process.
The amount awarded will cover half your costs, up to a maximum total project cost of £10,000. The voucher must be used to part-fund an innovation project which requires the services of an external specialist supplier (including a research consultant).
How the voucher scheme works
Register your interest at business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk.
Once you have registered your interest, a Growth Manager will make contact to understand your proposal in more detail, work with you in advance of your application, and will provide you with a link to the application form.
You must obtain a quote for the full project cost from the specialist supplier that you wish to work with before you make an application. This should include the type of support being provided, the timescale for delivery and the total cost including VAT.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis by the Kirklees Business, Economy & Growth Service. Successful applicants will be notified within 4 weeks and must sign a Funding Agreement.
No work for which a grant is sought should have started before you have received a fully signed Funding Agreement and have contracted with Kirklees Council.
Vouchers are paid once the project has started, you will then have 6 months to complete your project.
What the voucher supports
- Proof of market: market research/scoping projects/competitor analysis to test and identify gaps in the market
- New product conceptualisation and development, including prototyping and testing
- Process improvements, including exploring, adapting or adopting new (specialist) technology
Examples of the type of project outputs expected are:
- Reports
- Technical design drawings
- Technical specifications
- Technology roadmaps
- Rough product or process prototypes
- Results of specific analysis, including market research
- Specialist soft/hardware adaptations
The innovation project must have clear potential for commercial impact, but is not expected to produce a finished, commercial product or a fully embedded new process as an output of this grant.
If you are not eligible
Our Growth Mangers may be able to signpost you to other local, regional and national innovation support based on your business needs, including:
Register your interest
Contact the team at Business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk and tell us about your fantastic idea. Please note that the scheme will close to new expressions of interest at the end of June 2023.
Funding and partnership
The Kirklees Innovation Voucher Scheme is part-funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority , working in partnership with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership .
Was this information useful?
We'd like your feedback to improve the Kirklees Council website and the information we provide.