Business Sheffield

We had a great evening celebrating Sheffield’s brilliant businesses at the Sheffield Awards. Well done to all the nominees, winners and sponsors. It was also lovely to see Cllr. Dr Ibby Ullah present the Startup Organisation of the Year Award, sponsored by Business Sheffield. Congratulations to DigitalCNC for winning and showing how AI is helping to shape the future of business. A big congratulations to Samuel Thompson, owner of Zawadi and member of our Sheffield Diverse Business Board, who won two awards. Sam is a great example of the diverse talent that makes our city shine. We appreciate everyone who joined us, including the EDS Committee, members of the Sheffield Diverse Business Board, and our Business Sheffield Advisors.

SYIP can support organisations across South Yorkshire, including charities and social enterprises. To be considered for participation in SYIP, organisations should be: 🔹Registered or have a physical presence in South Yorkshire 🔹Trading or established As a general principle, SYIP does not provide pre-start/pre-trading support and in most cases will make referrals to colleagues in our regional support system who can provide the relevant support, however exceptions may be made for projects which: 🔹Will develop innovative products or services 🔹Demonstrate a need for research and development where there is no viable support available from other sources. 🔹Are aligned with regional strategies and priorities. For full details please see shu.ac.uk/syip Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Enterprising Barnsley, South Yorkshire Innovation Programme, Barnsley Council, Business Doncaster, Rotherham Investment & Development Office, Business Sheffield, Innovation Network South Yorkshire

🚀 South Yorkshire tech founders told us what’s holding them back from scaling. Our latest survey of local tech leaders reveals the key barriers to growth and what needs to change. Funding is the #1 barrier: 🔸70% of founders say access to funding is their biggest challenge. 🔸77% cite funding as the most lacking resource in the region. 🔸Most businesses are still bootstrapped (53%), with only 13% accessing venture capital. Networks & Talent: 🔸40% struggle to build networks and partnerships. 🔸30% report talent acquisition as a major obstacle. 🔸37% of businesses recruit 80% or more of their team locally. Infrastructure & Supply Chain: 🔸17% cite infrastructure limitations (e.g., broadband, transport) as a barrier. 🔸Only 13% face supply chain challenges. 🔸70% of respondents export outside the UK. What tech leaders say would help: 🤝 Easier access to angel investors, accelerators, and business partners. 🌱 More visible and connected scaleup networks. ⚡ Improved infrastructure and support for technology adoption. South Yorkshire’s tech sector is ambitious and outward-looking, but founders who responded are clear - unlocking growth means tackling funding gaps, building a stronger ecosystem, and investing in talent and infrastructure. #SouthYorkshire #ScalingTech #StartupSupport #Innovation #Funding #Talent #EcosystemGrowth #NorthernTech #BusinessGrowth

Tell us what you think about Sheffield’s Ethical Procurement Policy. Sheffield City Council wants to hear from local businesses and organisations. We’re asking for your views on our new Ethical Procurement Policy. This policy affects how we work with local suppliers. The policy aims to: - Make the procurement and bidding process simpler and easier for local SMEs and VCFSEs. - Set out fair and clear expectations for suppliers. - Recognise the importance of social value, local jobs and skills. - Take the environment into account when decisions are made. Your feedback will help us make sure the policy works well for everyone. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes. Please share your views by 12 noon, Thursday 30 October 2025. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/ejHUQbU8

Sheffield City Council is seeking views from local businesses and organisations on its proposed Ethical Procurement Policy. This consultation is an opportunity to help shape how the Council works with suppliers in the years ahead. The draft policy aims to: • Build on feedback from local SMEs and VCFSE organisations to make the procurement and bidding process simpler and easier to navigate. • Set out fair and balanced expectations for suppliers through an updated Voluntary Code of Conduct. • Recognise and prioritise social value, local employment, and skills development. • Embed environmental impact considerations into decision-making. The survey takes around 10–15 minutes to complete, and your feedback will play a key role in ensuring the policy reflects local business expectations. The deadline for responses is 12 noon on Thursday 30 October 2025. Have your say here: https://lnkd.in/ePD9Q4hx

Got a business idea or just getting started? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Business Sheffield offers free one-to-one support and expert advice on things like access to finance, legal, sales, and marketing. We also run workshops to help you grow your business, covering topics like social media, branding, AI, marketing and more. Whatever stage you’re at, our team is here to help you grow with confidence. Find out how we can support you today by calling 0114 244 5000 or email [email protected]. #BusinessSheffield

Looking for the perfect space for your next event, training, or meeting? At The Circle, we offer a variety of rooms to suit your needs – from small, private meeting rooms to large conference hall, just like the one recently used by Emerging Leaders Sheffield for their exciting launch event. What makes booking with us even better? When you hire a room at The Circle, you're not just getting a great space – you're directly supporting VAS (Voluntary Action Sheffield) and the valuable initiatives we run for the local community. VAS (Voluntary Action Sheffield) is dedicated to strengthening the Sheffield community through a wide range of projects. By choosing our venue, you're helping us continue this important work. 📅 Whether it's a meeting, training, or full-scale conference – we've got the space for you. 📧 To enquire or make a booking, contact us at: [email protected] #SheffieldEvents #SheffieldBusiness #EventVenueSheffield #CommunitySupport #MeetingSpace #SupportLocal #SheffieldNetworking

🔔 NEW GRANT! Up to £10,000 for arts, community & education projects The Ashley Family Foundation is for small projects that make a meaningful difference in rural or underserved communities. What they’ll fund: 🎨 Arts & crafts (heritage and contemporary) 🏘 Community initiatives that bring people together 📚 Education in arts, crafts, sustainability, environment 🌿 Projects with environmental & sustainable impact Open to: ✅ Charities, CICs, community organisations ✅ Organisations whose income is below £2 million ✅ Projects asking for up to £10,000 ✅ Revenue proposals (not capital requests) ✅ organisations based in wales Grant amount & format: 💷 Up to £10,000 📆 Funding is usually for one‑off projects, though multi‑year funding (up to 3 years) may be considered 🔗 Information on how to apply in the comments #GrantFunding #SmallCharities #FundingOpportunities #BidWriting -----  🛎️ Looking for more grants like this? Subscribe to our newsletter and every Friday we send a roundup of the latest funding opportunities for charities and CICs.