Wakefield lies at the heart of West Yorkshire’s evolving business ecosystem. Supported by Wakefield Council’s ongoing investment in regeneration and enterprise zones, the city is transforming, blending traditional industries with growing digital, creative and service-led enterprises.
Learn more about how Digital Enterprise can support your business through our Digital Accelerator Grant and High Impact Grant.
As Wakefield’s economy evolves, local businesses are realising the importance of digital transformation, from adopting ecommerce platforms to automating operations and using data more effectively. However, many lack the resources or in-house expertise to make these changes at speed. This is where business grants for Wakefield SMEs play a crucial role, providing the funding and guidance needed to invest in modern technology, boost efficiency, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
A strong example of how business grants for Wakefield SMEs can unlock long-term organisational impact comes from Group Rhodes, a leading manufacturer with deep roots in the region. The business secured grant support to help modernise its internal systems, strengthen cybersecurity resilience, and enable more efficient customer relationship management.
With support from Digital Enterprise, Group Rhodes modernised its systems and strengthened its cybersecurity, helping the business operate more efficiently and securely.
The funding supported two key areas of investment:
While introducing new digital processes always involves some adjustment, the CRM system has now been widely adopted across the team. Staff are using it to track customer interactions, schedule follow-ups, and tailor communications more effectively, ensuring opportunities don’t slip through the gaps.
This case demonstrates the real-world value of Wakefield business grants, they don’t just fund technology; they support capability, confidence, and competitiveness. For companies looking to scale, strengthen processes, and access new markets, the right digital investment can be transformational.
To help Wakefield and West Yorkshire businesses make real progress with digital transformation, Digital Enterprise offers two matched-fund grants tailored to different scales of investment. Each is paired with expert support from a Digital Growth Advisor to guide you through planning, procurement, and execution.
Before applying, please take a moment to review the revised eligibility requirements to ensure your organisation meets all conditions.
Your business must be based in the West Yorkshire region and have been operational for at least three consecutive years. Only organisations that mainly trade business-to-business (B2B) are eligible; those that focus on business-to-consumer (B2C) activities will not be considered. In addition, your company should have a minimum of five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, and up to approx. 100 employees, with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate active engagement in digital adoption, showing how technology is being integrated to boost efficiency, productivity, and growth. Proposals must include specific project aims with measurable deliverables, and applicants must also be able to contribute match funding to support the project.
If you wish to apply for a High Impact Grant, you cannot have previously been awarded one, although past recipients of an Accelerator Grant remain eligible. For those applying for an Accelerator Grant, your business must not have received any prior grant funding from DE3 which ran from 1st July 2023 to 31st March 2025.
Apply today for one of our Business Grants in Wakefield and take your next step towards digital growth.
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 ...
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 ...
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
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 ...
