West Yorkshire is poised for significant growth, with a focus on health technology. Mayor Tracy Brabin launched the region’s Investment Zone, which will inject £220 million into the local economy over the next five years and create up to 2,500 jobs.
A £4.5 million initiative will support 240 small and medium-sized businesses in the health tech sector. This funding aims to help companies navigate industry regulations, explore new markets, and tackle growth challenges. Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber will deliver the support, which will include intensive masterclasses over the next four years.
The announcement follows the launch of West Yorkshire’s £7 billion Local Growth Plan, which outlines strategies for supporting industries like health technology. The region already generates £3 billion annually from healthtech and aims to expand this with targeted investment and resources.
Leeds, Huddersfield, and Bradford will be key locations for the Investment Zone. The University of Huddersfield’s £250 million National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC), set to open a new diagnostic building later this year, will be central to the initiative. Other flagship sites will include the Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford and the Leeds Innovation Village at Leeds General Infirmary.
The funding and infrastructure investments are designed to foster collaboration between businesses, hospitals, and universities, positioning West Yorkshire as a leader in healthcare innovation.
