Digital Enterprise Programme

Digital Enterprise Programme is sponsored by Department for Business and Trade. Offers match-funded grants and impartial advice for West Yorkshire SMEs to invest in digital solutions that will fuel business transformation.

Digital Enterprise West Yorkshire | Digital Grants for SMEs | Up to £35,000 Digital Grants for West Yorkshire SMEs Transform business operations and fuel growth with strategic digital investment. Registrations are currently closed. Funding Digital Growth Across West Yorkshire Digital Enterprise is a publicly funded programme supporting SMEs across West Yorkshire that are serious about digital transformation.

We provide grant funding, impartial guidance, and dedicated advisor support to help your business grow through technology. Due to the volume and quality of applications received, we’ve now reached capacity and are no longer accepting new registrations at this time. We don’t yet know if or when further funding will become available, but we want to hear from businesses that are interested in the programme.

If you’d like to be kept informed of programme developments and register your interest, please use the link below. Check project eligibility For SMEs ready to make transformational change, our High Impact Grants support ambitious digital projects costing £25,000 to £100,000, providing financial support worth up to 50% of the project costs (maximum grant value of £35,000).

These grants are designed for investments that will fundamentally reshape how your business operates and competes.

You’ll need to prepare a comprehensive business case, but your dedicated Digital Advisor will be on hand to guide you through the full procurement process – from preparing the tender brief and advertising your project, through to reviewing and evaluating proposals, ensuring your investment is grounded in operational reality.

Learn more about our High Impact Grants Digital Accelerator Grant Our Digital Accelerator Grants offer support with projects costing up to £25,000. We’ll fund up to 50% of your project costs (maximum £10,000) while you cover the remaining balance.

Every applicant receives dedicated support from a specialist Digital Advisor – an independent sounding board, who provides practical, impartial guidance to help you cut through the noise and choose the right solution for your business, not just the latest technology trend.

Learn more about our Digital Accelerator Grants and how they could help you with your digital project While we are not currently accepting new registrations, the following criteria gives an indication of the businesses the programme is designed to support. If you meet these criteria and are considering a digital investment, we encourage you to register your interest so we can keep you informed of any future developments.

To be eligible for Digital Enterprise support, businesses would need to: Have its main operational base in West Yorkshire Have been trading for a minimum of 3 years Operate predominantly as a B2B business Employ at least 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees Have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000 Be able to provide match funding for your project Our Success Stories West Yorkshire SMEs are already transforming their businesses with Digital Enterprise grant funding and support.

Here's how. Innovation is the key to business transformation. That’s the belief of Lee Carter, Director of Parable Global , a company which helps its clients change the way they work through the power of engineering projects.

Here, Lee shares how the company leveraged strategic funding ... The ever-changing world of regulations and requirements can be complex, especially for highly controlled industries like those creating medical devices. Luckily for those businesses, LFH Regulatory is here to help make sense of the mind-boggling intricacies that come with their trade.

Here, Laura Friedl-Hirst , ... Like a stunning butterfly, hand-painted mural brand, By Haleys , is spreading its wings and showing the world what its talented team can do. We sat down with Haley Studios ’ Managing Director, Richard Haley, to hear how the company’s new custom Shopify tool ...

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the right technology infrastructure for your business. Although it may feel like a luxury at times, the benefits are far-reaching, from efficiency gains to peace of mind. Here, Kate Dixon, Managing Director of Yarwood Leather , shares ...

Mixing business with pleasure, FYI is embracing digital change to better connect with its cool clients. Here, we talk to Katie McAfee, one of FYI’s Directors, about how its new client portal will help elevate the company’s service. When FYI started out over a ...

In a world filled with technology it can be easy to lose sight of what it’s all for. But this hasn’t been the case for Directors of Eden Repair Centre , Andy Payne and Richard Kennedy, who have built their business on human connection ... Applelec Group has been serving the signage and architectural lighting industry for over two decades, but now it’s changing the way it operates and does business.

Here, Marketing Manager, Rachel Gould, shares how the recent introduction of a new digital system marks more ... Digital Enterprise Top 30 Over the past 16 months, DE3 has awarded grant funding to more than 450 businesses, and committed all of its allocated budget for the current programme phase (DE3), which is scheduled to conclude in March 2025. Since launching in 2016, DE has provided over ...

From farms in Spain to factories in Ghana, Xerogrid helps people harness solar, wind, and battery technology to power their off-grid lives and businesses. Using traditional methods to manage and optimise their renewable energy systems the business recognised the need for digital innovation ...

Kirklees-based Timber Frame Construction company, TimberTight is experiencing a surge of growth, as demand increases for residential and commercial timber frame buildings. After recording 38 percent growth during October 2022 to 2023 - an increase from £3. 75m to £5.

2m - they have their ... TF Automation , a leading manufacturer of custom automation equipment in Bradford, is experiencing a surge in efficiency and positioning itself for significant growth thanks to a recent technology investment. The company caters to diverse industries like automotive, aerospace, and textiles, designing and building ...

Powerrun Pipe-Mech , a company specialising in bespoke water industry pipework systems, has seen its growth plans accelerate after adopting 3D scanning technology. Since launching in 2017, Powerrun has relied on traditional, time-consuming site surveys involving tape measures and manual data collection. This not only ...

The development and improved capabilities of digital devices such as smart phones and tablets have, in recent years, removed the barriers to producing a range of media content, from photos to videos and voice recordings. Yet according to Spencer Bain, Managing Director at Leeds-based Find out more Digital transformation brings different benefits to businesses.

One of the things that is almost universal is the time savings that come from introducing technology and building systems that automate day-to-day business processes. Having made some serious progress on its own journey into the digital ... Digital technologies have broken down the barriers to innovation and enabled businesses of all shapes and sizes to reinvent themselves.

For just a fraction of what it would cost without these tech tools, SMEs are now developing new products and services, accessing new markets, ... Pre-pandemic, ShopAppy spent years promoting the importance of shopping local and supporting independent businesses. But as of 23 March 2020, their digital offering went from being optional to essential for retailers across the country.

Huge numbers of businesses were forced to close their shops completely, ... As a young boy, creating video games as a career seemed near-impossible for Bobby Thandi. But now, as the Founder of XR Games, he is bringing those dreams to reality for himself and others.

Here, he discusses how the business now occupies a coveted ... Digital Enterprise is funded by the UK Government and supported by the following organisations Top tips for a strong application We have limited funds available and need to ensure they are awarded where they will achieve most impact in terms of improving the productivity and growth of both individual businesses and benefit to the local economy as a whole.

So please ensure you provide us with a comprehensive description of your business and digital project. We score projects on a variety of metrics including:- Digital transformation – to what extent is the business adopting new to the firm technologies and how will this impact on operations?

A request simply to replace outdated equipment will not be considered, whereas projects that result in more efficient ways of working, open up new products or services, or allow you to bring previously outsourced functions inhouse will score well. Growth and viability – how will the project improve the competitiveness and reach of your business? Will it allow you to expand into new markets?

What impact is the project likely to have on turnover and is it envisaged new jobs will be created? Economic impact – will the project increase overall trade, particularly with customers outside of West Yorkshire? Will high quality skilled jobs be created?

Will the project help to reduce the environmental impact of your business operations or otherwise contribute to Net Zero? It is not necessary to meet all of these criteria, but your overall score may influence the level of support you are offered.

Dampens color and removes blinks This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations. Improves website's visuals This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.

Cognitive Disability Mode Cognitive Disability Mode Helps to focus on specific content This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.

Reduces distractions and improve focus This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions. Allows using the site with your screen-reader This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it. Start typing to search in Wikipedia Visually Pleasing Experience www. digitalenterprise.

co. uk We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability. To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.

1 (WCAG 2. 1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities.

Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more. This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times.

We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs. Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly.

This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments. If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you.

You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email Screen-reader and keyboard navigation Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions.

As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively.

Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples: Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes.

For example, we provide accurate form labels; and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.

To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website. These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard.

This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.

Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.

Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements. Disability profiles supported in our website Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.

Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others. Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.

ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions. Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it. Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys.

Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements. Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.

Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options. Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button.

Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions. Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.

Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly. Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.

Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions. Browser and assistive technology compatibility We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible.

Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers). Notes, comments, and feedback Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs.

There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies.

All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to