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Business

Business

Our partnerships with business and industry boost investment, productivity, innovation and economic growth in Leeds and beyond.

A photograph of the Nexus building taken from an angle. It is a tall, modern, white building with 'Nexus' signage on its face.

Driving regional growth

As one of the UK's largest universities and Leeds' third-largest employer, we contribute £1.3 billion to the UK economy.

Innovation and employability in sectors such as digital technologies, financial services, advanced manufacturing and professional services are key to economic development, productivity, and prosperity in our region.

A community for innovators

Nexus, our innovation hub, brings together business, technology and academia to drive investment and job creation. 

Since 2019, Nexus has:

  • generated more than £134 million in economic output
  • contributed almost £43 million in gross value added
  • created around 800 jobs
  • seen every £1 spent generate £2 in return.

Nexus led the £1.23 million Innovative Entrepreneurs initiative, supporting at least 75 founders from diverse backgrounds to develop socially impactful innovations.

We have 43 live spinout companies, which raised £13.5 million in investment in 2024–25.

Supporting student start-ups

Spark, our student start-up programme, supports the development of entrepreneurial skills. 

Spark has:

  • leveraged £1.6 million of external funding
  • generated £14.7 million of revenue
  • created 241 businesses
  • had seven patents awarded.

Work with us

Email the Civic Exchange team

 

Our partnerships in action