19 Local Businesses Announced as Finalists in the £1 Million Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge
Thursday, 31 July, 2025 – The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has announced 19 local businesses as finalists in the £1 million Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge. Each business has secured a £20,000 grant and a skills-building package to support their 9-month innovation journey.
The challenge, delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by global challenge expert Challenge Works, aims to support West Yorkshire-based businesses in accelerating innovative products and services that combat health inequalities among communities across the region.
Among the 19 finalists are solutions such as an AI wellbeing companion for neurodivergent women, a digital training service for pharmacists, and a language platform to improve children’s communication skills.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, who launched the £1 million challenge in February this year as part of her plan for growth, expressed her pride in supporting these businesses as they work to transform lives and boost the wellbeing of communities in West Yorkshire.
“These finalists represent the very best of West Yorkshire’s talent, ingenuity, and determination to drive positive change,” said Mayor Brabin. “Through bold, innovative thinking, each of these businesses is tackling serious health challenges, and we’re supporting them to turn their creative ideas into concrete action. This is what building a stronger, fairer region looks like, and I’m incredibly proud to support their journeys as they work to transform lives and boost the wellbeing of our communities.”
The challenge is a direct response to data that shows deep deprivation in some areas of West Yorkshire, leading to significant health inequalities. By supporting the development of innovative solutions, the challenge aims to accelerate social and economic change and support the region to flourish.
The 19 finalists’ solutions showcase immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit and have the potential to overcome health inequalities across the region. Other solutions include platforms to bolster mental health, a digital tool to support community carers, and skill-building programs for those living in underserved communities.
The Mayor’s big ideas challenge is a £1 million initiative designed to accelerate innovative solutions, products, or services that address health inequalities among communities in West Yorkshire. It was launched by West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, as a key part of her plan for growth.
The challenge will run until March 2026, and after a vigorous few months of testing and refining, three businesses will be selected as winners and awarded a further £100,000 to support the commercialization of their innovations.
For more information about the Mayor’s big ideas challenge and the 19 finalists, visit: https://www.wybusiness-skills.com/business-support/growth-support/innovation-hub/mayors-big-ideas-challenge-for-smes/.
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Notes to Editors
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* https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future
About the Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge
The Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge is a £1 million initiative designed to accelerate innovative solutions, products, or services that address health inequalities among communities in West Yorkshire. Launched by West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, as a key part of her plan for growth, the challenge aims to spur innovation and support the growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses. Through development grants of up to £100,000 for successful firms, this challenge will help bring new technologies to life, create skilled jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.
About The Combined Authority
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is a strategic authority that unites local councils and businesses across West Yorkshire. Our core mission is to build a strong, successful economy and deliver policies, programs, and services that have a direct, positive impact on the people of our region. Deeply committed to fostering a healthier and happier West Yorkshire, the Mayor champions initiatives like the “big ideas challenge,” to nurture groundbreaking ideas that directly contribute to making West Yorkshire a healthier and happier place for everyone. Complementing these broader strategies, local initiatives such as “Happy, Healthy at Home” in the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership provide targeted support to help residents stay active, connected, safe, and well within their own communities.
About Challenge Works
Challenge Works is a global leader in designing and delivering high-impact challenge prizes that incentivize cutting-edge innovation for social good. It is part of UK innovation foundation agency Nesta. For more than a decade, it has run more than 97 prizes, distributed more than £210 million in funding, and engaged with 16,000 innovators.
The Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge Finalists:
– Antidote Medical Ltd – The West Yorkshire DPP Support and Prescribing Support Platform is a new digital platform offering the region’s pharmacists training, mentorship, and peer support. This
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