West Yorkshire Mayor's Big Ideas Challenge is open for applications, with grants available to businesses ranging from £20,000 to £100,000, and awards up to £600 for young entrepreneurs.
The initiative, launched on February 12th, aims to stimulate entrepreneurship among local youth, but supports businesses and develop solutions to local health inequality .
The £1 million business competition is open to small businesses that “have the power to promote better health and well-being.” The three winning companies each receive £100,000 to help bring the solution to the market.
They are selected from a group of 20 finalists, each receiving £20,000 along with development support, including networking opportunities and a free membership in the University of Leeds-based research hub.
A successful business involves reducing the distance to fresh ingredients for food companies. Community centers that provide physical or mental health services. A transportation company that creates accessible travel for the elderly. Or a socially conscious housing developer who creates green, walkable spaces.
Companies are assessed for the strength of ideas, along with impact, inclusion and innovation scores by independent judges combining West Yorkshire authority and challenge work.
Entries for the business competition ended on May 7th, with finalists announced in the summer, and winners announced in March 2026.
The youth competition, carried out in collaboration with design specialist TPOMINCPACT, invites children aged 16 to 26 and develops ideas and passion projects into solutions that benefit other youths in the community.
Young entrepreneurs meet other like-minded young people who receive research, design and problem-solving skills and want to bring about positive social change with prizes of up to £600 per individual or team.
They will then have the opportunity to market their ideas as a real-world solution for other young people in the area.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Bravin encourages people aged 16-26 in the area to find more information and apply online either personal or as part of a team of three.
This program is completely free and the application will be closed on April 10th, 2025.
For more information about the business competition, visit https://www.wybusiness-skills.com/mayorsbigideaschallengeforsmes/.
For more information about youth competition, visit https://www.wybusiness-skills.com/mayorsbigideaschallengeforyoungpeople/.
