Entrepreneur Support
York & North Yorkshire is a brilliant place for anyone, from any community, to start and grow a business.
We were recently ranked 6th best place in the UK for start-ups, 2nd on the survival rate of these companies and the second-best city for independents. It's a region alive with ideas, skill and creativity and Enterprise Works provides the necessary support and facilities for your business to thrive.
We believe in the power of community. A supportive ecosystem of entrepreneurs sharing experience, opportunities and insight. We leverage the University’s network and hugely experienced business support teams to identify support, funding and advice for every stage of your business’ development.
Contact us
We’d be delighted to hear from you. The Enterprise Works team can be contacted via:
Our services
Phase One
Phase One is an entrepreneurial start up programme supporting digital, creative, tech and science innovators, students and spinouts to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. Developed in collaboration with partners from across the region, members benefit from a practical support programme of advice, workshops and one to one mentoring.
Based at The Catalyst, at the heart of the University of York’s Campus East, Phase One members get personal and direct access to a range of specially selected partner organisations who will share their expertise, knowledge and skills to accelerate your growth potential.
Eagle Labs
The University of York have formed a partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs to provide business support and advice to entrepreneurs and businesses in the city.
Based at our coworking hubs at The Guildhall and The Catalyst, any of our private office or coworking residents are able to access banking experts, a network of coworking spaces, mentors and learning tools, as well as events and growth programmes for ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses. They are also able to access over 25 Eagle Labs across the UK.
Enterprise: Everybody’s Business
This three-week course equips aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills for startup success. Participants learn to identify, test, and develop ideas, assess market demand, craft effective pitches, and protect intellectual property.
Open to all, and guided by experts from the University of York, participants gain insights into enterprise, ideal for those exploring startups or freelancing.
Topics include: design thinking, customer engagement, financial projections, growth strategies & more.
Find out more & sign up
Innovate York
Are you a York-based business or entrepreneur with aspirations for business growth and innovation?
Innovate York offers a series of workshops, womens peer-to-peer networking and specialist events to businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the city.
Workshops will focus on innovation and business growth. Our highly experienced workshop facilitators will share their expertise with your teams, building on case studies, exercises and peer learning.
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Business Breakfasts
The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York has a long and prestigious history of promoting enterprise, entrepreneurship and commercial ventures. They are an active force in the economic development of the City of York and its surrounds and its members are drawn from a wide range of professions and industries.
Our Business Breakfast events offer entrepreneurs chance to meet with members of the Company, to learn from the significant experience of the Merchant’s network, create new opportunities for collaboration and to hear how local entrepreneurs are creating an innovative future for the City and region.
Join our Community
Enterprise Works Connect provides free access to a network of entrepreneurs at all stages of development and experienced subject matter experts who can answer your questions, support the development of your ideas, find funding, provide best practice and share their experiences to help your business.
Access to the network is open to all regional entrepreneurs, not just those from the University.
The Baroness Hale Legal Clinic
The University of York Law School Small Business Legal Clinic is staffed voluntarily by Masters students, with support from supervising solicitors at the university and law firm Ward Hadaway.
The advice offered through the clinic is aimed at entrepreneurs facing many of the common legal issues experienced by start-up and fledgling organisations such as managing data protection compliance, protecting their intellectual property or establishing corporate structures.
Entrepreneurial Journeys
Hear from a range of entrepreneurs about how they got started and the challenges they faced
Business Advice
Industry professionals share their tips on getting ahead in business:
Contact us
We’d be delighted to hear from you. The Enterprise Works team can be contacted via: