West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2026: What is it and what events are on the programme this year?
West Yorkshire doesn’t just do ‘business as usual’ - it does what’s next.
Starting today, the region, including venues in Leeds turn into a 10-day laboratory for growth with the return of the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival, running until March 13 and promising an all-access pass to funding, tech and networks designed to scale local businesses.
Led by Mayor Tracy Brabin and the Combined Authority, whether you're chasing venture capital, automating with AI, or leading the net-zero transition, this is where your "big idea" gets a roadmap.
While West Yorkshire has a centuries-old legacy of innovation, from the first commercial steam engines to the invention of ‘Cat’s Eyes’ - this formalised 10-day event was a modern creation of the West Yorkshire Innovation Network (WYIN) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, first launched in 2021, becoming a strategic economic tool designed as a response to ‘global economic shifts’ and to ‘future proof’ operations through digital transformation and smarter working.
The festival also breaks down the barriers between small business owners and world-class resources, providing a direct line to university labs, specialised mentors, and government funding, with a major focus placed on "’green economy," helping businesses transition to sustainable practices while tapping into new, eco-conscious markets.
Joining the dots between Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, and Calderdale ensures the region competes as a global tech powerhouse rather than individual towns.
What events are taking place in Leeds as part of the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2026?
Reset Connect North (March 3 and 4)
The North’s flagship sustainability event lands at the Royal Armouries to bridge the gap between green-tech innovators and over 500 venture capital investors.
This is the place for any business looking to lead the net-zero transition and secure the capital to do it.
Investing in Success: Scaling West Yorkshire's HealthTech Sector(March 5)
Taking place at Horizon Leeds, this event is focused on the region's burgeoning ‘HealthTech corridor.’
It connects medical startups with specialised investors and mentors to help navigate the complex journey from a research lab to a commercial clinical setting.
AI-Agent-a-thon: Building Practical AI Agents (March 10)
This hands-on workshop at The Rose Bowl moves beyond the hype of ChatGPT.
You will work with technical experts to build a functional AI agent designed to automate specific workflows within your company, from customer lead generation to internal data management.
Boost Your Investment Appeal: Strengthening Your IP (March 10)
Protecting your ideas is the first step to scaling. This event provides expert guidance on securing your Intellectual Property (IP), making your business a far more attractive prospect for external buyers and venture capital backers.
Practical Introduction to ChatGPT (March 11)
A jargon-free session for SMEs to learn how to integrate generative AI into their daily operations.
The focus is on practical tools that allow small teams to reclaim their time and increase output without increasing headcount.
Solving Materials Challenges: Inside the Bragg Centre (March 11)
An ‘open-doors’ tour of one of the UK's most advanced materials research facilities at the University of Leeds.
This session shows businesses how they can partner with academia to use high-end lab equipment for their own product testing and R&D.
HealthTech Innovation in Partnership: ABHI & Leeds Teaching Hospitals (March 11)
A critical ‘how-to’ for companies wanting to work with the NHS. Held at Nexus, it breaks down the specific procurement and partnership pathways required to get new technology adopted by Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
How do I register my interest in attending one of the events as part of the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2026?
To register your interest in the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2026, the most direct route is through the central event directory on the West Yorkshire Business Growth Hub website.
Once you find a session that fits your needs, such as the AI workshops or manufacturing talks, you can click the ‘Book your place’ button to be taken to the specific registration form for that event.
Many of the individual workshops and seminars, particularly those taking place in Leeds, are managed through a dedicated Eventbrite collection curated by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This is often the fastest way to secure a spot for high-demand sessions like the AI-Agent-a-thon or the Intellectual Property deep dives.
Because these events are funded by the Combined Authority to drive regional growth, almost all of them are free of charge, but they do tend to reach capacity quickly.
If an event appears sold out, it is highly recommended to join the waitlist, as spots frequently become available 24 to 48 hours before the start time.