The Royal Academy of Engineering said it has launched a new Enterprise Hub in Sheffield, designed to support local engineering and technology innovators and entrepreneurs with equity-free funding, smart and flexible training and mentoring from industry experts.

Sheffield will be the Academy’s sixth location outside of London, alongside Belfast, Swansea, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Led by Senior Enterprise Manager Dr Rachel Smith, the Hub in Sheffield will seek to advance IP-rich innovations from all areas of engineering and technology.

The Academy’s Regional Talent Engines programme has been active in the wider Yorkshire and Humber region since it was launched in 2022, providing funding and training for experienced engineers with a novel idea at pre-seed stage.

The latest cohort have just started their training and will join existing Enterprise Hub members from across the region in helping to energise the local startup scene.

With dedicated support from the Academy’s Enterprise Fellowship and Shott ScaleUp Accelerator programmes, the new Hub aims to increase the number of high-value university spinouts in the area and help to attract and retain local talent, at every career level.

“The Academy believes Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region has all the vital ingredients to grow the number of local emerging deep tech companies,” said The Academy.

“The city hosts over 60,000 students across the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

“Together, they produce a strong pipeline of STEM graduates and postgraduates, with a higher STEM enrolment share (55%) than the national average (45%).

“In common with other regional universities, retention of talent is a significant issue post-graduation. Many former students leave the area within a couple of years for bigger cities, particularly London.

“However, Sheffield has a high volume of engineering employment and productivity, with strengths in manufacturing and process innovation.

“It has a skilled workforce, with 45% of the working-age population holding NVQ4+ qualifications, slightly above the national average.

“The city has widely recognised strengths in advanced manufacturing, supported by centres of excellence like the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and specialised innovation centres in gene therapy and sustainable aviation fuels.

“It is by building on these impressive research strengths that the Academy believes the new Hub can help make a real difference to the local economy.

“The universities in Sheffield and from across the wider region already have an impressive track record in commercialising their deep tech research.

“Companies like Phlux, Tribosonics and Concrete4Change (already Enterprise Hub Members) are testament to that success.”

Oliver Coppard, Mayor, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The launch of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub in Sheffield is yet more evidence of South Yorkshire’s ambition to build a bigger, better, and fairer economy. It adds further strength to our local innovation ecosystem and will help our businesses start, scale, and lead global industries.

“Supporting new, regional collaborations like this one will help to deliver the kind of good growth that restores pride, purpose, and prosperity to every community in South Yorkshire. We are investing in the support system that is needed so businesses with growth ambitions have the opportunity to stay near and go far.”

Gillian Gregg, Associate Director, Regional Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “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”