Question 1

What is the Digital Knowledge Exchange programme?

Accepted Answer

Digital Knowledge Exchange (DKE) is a programme to support small businesses to do more with digital technology. Funding for this round of the project is part of a randomised controlled trial pilot programme, researching the effectiveness of digital adoption support on SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in the UK. All participants will be provided with fully funded (ie free to them) access to online resources to support their business to do more with digital technology, and then some businesses (based on the randomised controlled trial nature of the project) will be offered additional support in different forms.

Question 2

Is it free? Who is it funded by?

Accepted Answer

Yes, support provided is free for participating businesses thanks to funding from the Department for Business and Trade. The programme is delivered in partnership by UMi and Leeds City Council.

Question 3

How does it work?

Accepted Answer

This research project is designed as a randomised controlled trial, meaning that all businesses will initially be offered the same support (fully funded access to an online platform of resources) and after randomisation, some businesses will be allocated additional support in different forms (including event or adviser support).

Timeline for cohort 3:

Apr-Jun 2026 - businesses apply to access the programme
Apr-Jun 2026 - 1-2 days after application, all eligible participants will be provided with a sign-up link for accessing the online resource platform (UMi Sat Nav service)
Early July 2026 - all eligible applicants will be notified of the additional support they have been assigned as part of the trial
July-Oct 2026 - programme participants for cohort 2 will receive the support they have been allocated
31 Oct 2026 - cohort 3 support concludes
Nov 2026 - cohort 2 participants will be contacted by research partner Verian for evaluation purposes

Question 4

What type of business is the programme for?

Accepted Answer

Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) based in and around West Yorkshire, of any sector. Only registered businesses (with either a Company Registration Number or Unique Taxpayer Reference Number) will be eligible to join.

Question 5

What topics will be covered?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Knowledge Exchange programme aims to support your business with a whole range of digital topics as relevant to you. These topics could include (but aren’t limited to):

Digital marketing 
Websites and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) 
Social media 
E-commerce 
Productivity tools (including online accounting tools, HR, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems and others) 
Data protection 
Cyber Security 
Using AI

Question 6

What additional support is available?

Accepted Answer

As part of the randomised controlled trial the research focuses on effective digital adoption support for small businesses. Participants will be randomly allocated an ‘arm’ of additional support (in addition to UMi Sat Nav online platform access). Support could then include Digital Health Check tools, event attendance (workshops, webinars, conferences and peer network groups), or one-to-one adviser support.

Allocations are made randomly as part of the trial – it is not possible to select which support arm you will receive, or to change arms throughout the trial. It is also not possible to re-apply under a different name or in a different cohort to try to access another support offer.

Question 7

Can I speak to someone?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course, you can contact us on digitalknowledgeexchange@weareumi.co.uk or call us on 0113 868 9750.

Question 8

Can I join more than one cohort?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not. As part of the trial nature of the programme, you will only be able to join a single cohort and receive a randomised offer of support.

Question 9

Who is running the programme?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Knowledge Exchange programme is funded by the Department for Business & Trade and delivered by UMi in partnership with Leeds City Council.

Question 10

What’s the online Sat Nav platform? How and when will I get access?

Accepted Answer

Wherever you are on your business journey, UMi Sat Nav will help you get there faster and in better shape.

UMi Sat Nav is an online resources platform designed for small businesses across the UK. The platform is packed with useful articles, checklists, video content and guides to help you to do more with digital technology and more, across all aspects of business.

As part of the Digital Knowledge Exchange trial programme, participants in cohort 1 will receive at least 6 months of free access to UMi Sat Nav, until 31st October 2026 (normally priced at £9.99 per month).

Instructions for logging into UMi Sat Nav will be sent by email as soon as we receive your completed Expression of Interest form (found by clicking ‘sign up’ from the DKE website).

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