The Royal Academy of Engineering has opened a new Enterprise Hub in Sheffield to strengthen regional innovation in engineering and technology. The hub offers equity-free funding, tailored training, and mentoring to help local entrepreneurs develop commercially viable ideas.
Sheffield is the Academy’s sixth base outside London, joining regional hubs in Belfast, Swansea, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Newcastle. It aims to accelerate the development of intellectual property-led ventures and enhance collaboration between academia, industry, and investors.
The South Yorkshire city was chosen for its strong research capabilities and established manufacturing base. Sheffield’s two major universities produce a high proportion of STEM graduates, and the region’s workforce has above-average qualifications. Centres such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and innovation hubs in sustainable aviation and gene therapy have positioned Sheffield as a national leader in applied engineering.
Gillian Gregg, Associate Director, Regional Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“We look forward to working with Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils to deliver opportunities for talented people in the area, so they can translate their ideas into successful business that can set seed and bloom in Yorkshire.
“We have been working with founders in the region for some time and hope that by having a physical presence in Sheffield, this will act as a beacon to attract more entrepreneurs to the community, as we continue to work alongside regional leaders to build and deliver on the region’s engineering economy ambition.”
The Academy’s Enterprise Hub network has supported hundreds of founders since its creation in 2013, contributing to job creation and investment across the UK. The Sheffield branch builds on this momentum by fostering partnerships with universities, supporting local spinouts, and strengthening the area’s role in advanced manufacturing and deep tech commercialisation.
The initiative aligns with regional economic goals that focus on attracting investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and retaining skilled talent.
