Find a Cofounder in Leeds
Leeds is home to over 31,858 aspiring entrepreneurs. Join 1,300+ founders already on Foundersbase - be among the first 50 joining in Leeds and start your founder journey today!
Find your cofounder →↓ More on Leeds founders

Entrepreneurship in Leeds

Entrepreneurship in Leeds
Entrepreneurship in Leeds
Transformed from industrial powerhouse to one of the UK's fastest-growing digital hubs, Leeds demonstrates how northern British cities are redefining themselves through technology and education. This Yorkshire city specializes in healthtech, financial technology, and increasingly green solutions, supported by institutions like the University of Leeds and the city's position as the UK's largest financial center outside London. Entrepreneurs establishing companies in Leeds benefit from technical talent at costs approximately 30-40% below London levels, the region's largest financial services cluster creating fintech opportunities, and quality of life balancing urban sophistication with immediate access to Yorkshire countryside. The ecosystem revolves around organizations including Leeds Digital Hub and Nexus innovation center, with specialized support for health technology through initiatives like the Leeds Innovation District. For founders seeking technical capabilities outside London's cost pressures, Leeds offers a compelling combination of talent depth, sectoral strengths in finance and health, and authentic northern English character – creating opportunities for startups addressing healthcare challenges, financial innovation, or technologies requiring efficient development resources within the UK's evolving post-Brexit landscape.
Transformed from industrial powerhouse to one of the UK's fastest-growing digital hubs, Leeds demonstrates how northern British cities are redefining themselves through technology and education. This Yorkshire city specializes in healthtech, financial technology, and increasingly green solutions, supported by institutions like the University of Leeds and the city's position as the UK's largest financial center outside London. Entrepreneurs establishing companies in Leeds benefit from technical talent at costs approximately 30-40% below London levels, the region's largest financial services cluster creating fintech opportunities, and quality of life balancing urban sophistication with immediate access to Yorkshire countryside. The ecosystem revolves around organizations including Leeds Digital Hub and Nexus innovation center, with specialized support for health technology through initiatives like the Leeds Innovation District. For founders seeking technical capabilities outside London's cost pressures, Leeds offers a compelling combination of talent depth, sectoral strengths in finance and health, and authentic northern English character – creating opportunities for startups addressing healthcare challenges, financial innovation, or technologies requiring efficient development resources within the UK's evolving post-Brexit landscape.
Leeds founders in numbers
The startup community in Leeds shows a healthy mix of people still exploring ideas (54%) and those already building something (46%). This balance between early-stage thinking and committed founders shapes the local scene. Looking at the numbers, the median age of founders in Leeds is 28.5, with an average age of 33.2. Most are in the 25-32 age range, which makes up 39.3% of the community. When it comes to background, 53% of founders in Leeds have technical skills in areas like engineering or software development, while 47% come from business roles such as operations, product, or marketing. This mix creates plenty of opportunity for strong co-founder matches. Popular areas of interest include Environmental Conservation, Audio Technology, Software, and Artificial Intelligence. Many founders in Leeds also speak more than one language, adding fresh perspectives to the city’s startup ecosystem Impacts are {13},{14},{15},{16}.
Commitment Type
More than (54%) of Foundersbase founders in Leeds, are exploring startup ideas, while (46%) are committed to an idea.
Age
The median age of Foundersbase founders in Leeds is 28.5, while the average is age 33.2 with a maximum in the group of founders aging 25-32.
Type of Founder
About (53%) of Foundersbase founders in Leeds are technical (Engineering, AI/ML), while (47%) are non-technical (Product, Marketing, Operations).
Top industry interests
Discover the industries that Foundersbase founders in Leeds are most passionate about.
Join the startup community in Leeds

Cofounders. Startups. Investors.
Our mission is to help you and your business ideas become successful in Leeds and around the globe. Get on board today, its free!
- Present yourself and your ideas.
- Browse cofounders, startups and investors.
- Follow, connect, and chat.
As featured in