YTKO
YTKO is a UK-based business support organisation founded in 1978 that delivers fully-funded public sector programmes, strategic consultancy, and online learning platforms to SMEs, entrepreneurs, and disadvantaged groups across multiple UK regions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersLittleport, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What YTKO does
YTKO is a UK-based business support and consultancy organisation founded in 1978, employing over 100 people across a London headquarters and seven regional offices. The company delivers a portfolio of interconnected programmes spanning the full business lifecycle — from pre-start support through scale-up — via branded offerings including Outset (start-up support for disadvantaged entrepreneurs), GetSet for Growth (specialist growth services), GrowSmart and Outset Online (e-learning platforms), Enterprising Women (female-focused support), and the Growth Maturity Index (GMI) diagnostic tool developed with GPC Skills Ltd. Underlying technology consists of interactive online learning platforms with 50+ hours of structured content, business diagnostic tools generating tailored 12-page reports, and integration partnerships with FinPoint (finance matching) and LawBite (legal services) that extend service surface without in-house build.
YTKO's business model is predominantly public sector contract-driven, with revenue derived from commissioned programmes awarded by combined authorities (West of England, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough), local councils (Bristol, Suffolk, Devon, Canterbury), national government (Department for Education, UK Shared Prosperity Fund), and European programmes (Interreg). Services to end-beneficiary SMEs are delivered fully-funded at zero direct cost to the recipient, with YTKO paid via multi-year managed service contracts and grants. A smaller commercial consultancy revenue stream provides strategic growth and marketing services to private sector clients. In September 2024, YTKO transitioned from private ownership to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), with CEO Bev Hurley CBE retaining leadership. The company has supported over 70,000 entrepreneurs, facilitated over £100m in growth finance, and claims £691m in GVA contribution and 17,000+ jobs created across its operating history.
YTKO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- YTKO
- Legal name
- YTKO Limited
- Website
- https://ytko.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- YTKO is a UK-based business support organisation founded in 1978 that delivers fully-funded public sector programmes, strategic consultancy, and online learning platforms to SMEs, entrepreneurs, and disadvantaged groups across multiple UK regions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
YTKO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs (BPADABAM), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)
Keywords
Where YTKO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Littleport
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
YTKO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Public Sector Contracts and Grants: YTKO derives significant revenue from publicly funded programmes commissioned by government bodies including West of England Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Devon County Council, and others. These contracts involve delivering business support services, skills training, and economic development programmes.
- Strategic Consultancy Services: Provides strategic growth and marketing consultancy services to businesses, combined with hands-on operational support over the full business lifecycle. Previously private sector work alongside publicly funded programmes.
- Outset Finance - Start-Up Loans: As an official delivery partner of the Government's Start-Up Loan Scheme, provides funding to new and early stage businesses. Has provided over £25m worth of funding in the last 6 years alone.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fully-funded business support programmes for eligible SMEs and entrepreneurs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
YTKO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YTKO delivers strategic consultancy, fully-funded business support programmes, and operational coaching for SMEs, start-ups, and growth businesses across the UK. Its portfolio spans the full business lifecycle through named brands such as Outset (start-up support for disadvantaged entrepreneurs), GetSet for Growth (specialist scale-up services), Enterprising Women (female-focused support), GrowSmart and Outset Online (e-learning platforms), Outset Finance (Start-Up Loans delivery), the Growth Maturity Index (diagnostic tool), and regional initiatives like BRISBES, Skills Bootcamps, and Multiply. Programmes are largely publicly funded through government and EU sources, supplemented by private commercial consultancy.
Product overview
YTKO is a business support organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programmes spanning the full business lifecycle from pre-start through growth and scale-up. The core offering consists of Outset (start-up support for disadvantaged entrepreneurs), GetSet for Growth (specialist growth services), and Enterprising Women (female-focused support). These are complemented by online learning platforms (Outset Online, GrowSmart), finance services (Outset Finance, FinPoint partnership), diagnostic tools (Growth Maturity Index), and regional programmes (BRISBES, Skills Bootcamps, Multiply). YTKO delivers both fully-funded public sector programmes and commercial consultancy services, operating across multiple UK regions with offices in London and seven regional locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Outset: Award-winning start-up service addressing gap in enterprise support for people living in deprived communities or facing additional disadvantages and barriers, started in 2009
- Outset Online
- Outset Finance
- GetSet for Growth
- GrowSmart
- Enterprising Women
- Building Growth SW
- GetSet Accelerate
Products and services
- Outset Award-winning start-up service addressing the enterprise support gap for people in deprived communities or facing additional disadvantages. Combines personal and business skills development, mentoring, and focus on critical success factors for sustainable enterprise. Delivered in community settings to build trust and tailor services to specific client needs. For aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs.
- Outset Online
Quantifiable outcome
- £691 million GVA contribution to UK economy
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use YTKO
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
YTKO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
YTKO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FinPointcoreYTKO partnered with FinPoint to enable clients to easily find the best type and price of finance across the whole UK lending market. FinPoint is the exclusive delivery partner for UK Finance and provides an FCA-regulated online service that lets business owners check available finance options using their accounting and banking data.
- LawBitecoreYTKO partnered with LawBite to offer affordable legal advice for SMEs. LawBite provides a modern approach to legal advice through an online platform connecting clients with expert business lawyers, solicitors, or mediators with 15+ years post qualification experience.
- GateleycoreGateley (legal and professional services group) leads the Growth Works consortium with YTKO delivering growth coaching service and capital growth investment fund. The programme aims to deliver 5,278 new jobs and 1,400 apprenticeships in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
- GPC Skills LtdcoreYTKO partnered with GPC Skills Ltd to develop the Growth Maturity Index (GMI), an advanced diagnostic tool that assesses, supports, and accelerates business growth. GPC Skills leads the Skills Brokerage Service in the Growth Works programme.
- Groundwork EastcoreGroundwork East was appointed alongside YTKO for Suffolk business support transformation. Groundwork East delivers the net zero consultancy element while YTKO provides core business support through the New Anglia Growth Hub.
- Princes TrustminorPartner in South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) consortium alongside School for Social Entrepreneurs, Knowle West Media Centre, and YTKO, focused on food, construction and engineering sectors.
- School for Social EntrepreneursminorPartner in South Bristol Enterprise Support (SBES) consortium delivering support to entrepreneurs and SMEs in South Bristol.
- NatWestminorNatWest partners with Outset for events including International Women's Day networking breakfast and Back her Business programme delivery.
- International Investment ServicescorePartner in Growth Works consortium leading the Inward Investment Service to engage firms to locate or invest in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
- Retrofit West CICcorePartner in Construction & Retrofit Summit 2025, working with YTKO to address retrofit, building safety, and green skills challenges in the built environment.
Scale indicators22 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
YTKO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Enterprise Nation: UK small business support platform founded by Emma Jones, providing content, networking, policy advocacy and government-partnered programmes (including Start-Up Loans delivery). Comparable to YTKO in target customer (UK SMEs/start-ups), content-driven model and policy/funder relationships.
- Be the Business: UK productivity-focused charity established with CBI leadership, delivering SME mentoring and management capability programmes with government and corporate support. Comparable to YTKO's GetSet for Growth and Growth Works programmes in mission, programme structure and funder model.
- Locality: UK-wide membership body for community organisations and social enterprises, supporting local economic development and inclusive growth. Comparable to YTKO's community-led delivery model in disadvantaged areas and its mission to address financial and social exclusion through place-based enterprise support.
- Business in the Community: UK business-led charity (the Prince's Responsible Business Network) helping companies deliver social impact, including SME support, mentoring and supplier development. Comparable to YTKO's corporate 'Mentor & P2P Communities' and Social Value offerings in audience (large corporates and SMEs) and inclusive-impact approach.
- Hatch Enterprise: UK-based social enterprise that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs through incubation, mentoring and corporate partnerships. Highly comparable to YTKO's Outset and Enterprising Women brands in mission, target demographic and inclusive-outcomes model, although smaller in scale and primarily London-focused.
- The Prince's Trust: Major UK charity supporting young people into enterprise and employment, including start-up support and Start-Up Loans delivery. A direct consortium partner of YTKO in SBES; broadly comparable in operating model (publicly funded, programme-led, mission-driven) and target demographics, though with broader youth focus.
- School for Social Entrepreneurs: UK charity running learning programmes, mentoring and growth support for social entrepreneurs and mission-led ventures. A direct consortium partner with YTKO on SBES and comparable programmes; shares the same model of publicly funded, community-rooted enterprise support.
Broad incumbents
- British Business Bank: UK Government economic development bank delivering finance programmes for SMEs and start-ups, including Start-Up Loans and regional growth funds. YTKO is a delivery partner for Start-Up Loans; broadly comparable in programme themes (inclusive growth, regional levelling up) but operates at materially larger scale and balance-sheet level.
- Federation of Small Businesses: UK's largest membership organisation for small businesses and self-employed, providing advice, policy advocacy and benefits to members. Comparable in core customer base (UK SMEs and start-ups) and policy/funder relationships, but operates as a membership/lobby model rather than programme delivery.
Emerging players
- Startup Coalition: UK startup advocacy and community organisation (formerly Coadec) supporting early-stage founders through policy work, events and corporate partnerships. Comparable to YTKO's engagement with early-stage founders and policy influence, though narrower in scope (advocacy vs. delivery).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
YTKO social profiles
Digital presenceYTKO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
YTKO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YTKO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
YTKO subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
YTKO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YTKO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YTKO
What does YTKO do?
YTKO delivers strategic consultancy, fully-funded business support programmes, and operational coaching for SMEs, start-ups, and growth businesses across the UK. Its portfolio spans the full business lifecycle through named brands such as Outset (start-up support for disadvantaged entrepreneurs), GetSet for Growth (specialist scale-up services), Enterprising Women (female-focused support), GrowSmart and Outset Online (e-learning platforms), Outset Finance (Start-Up Loans delivery), the Growth Maturity Index (diagnostic tool), and regional initiatives like BRISBES, Skills Bootcamps, and Multiply. Programmes are largely publicly funded through government and EU sources, supplemented by private commercial consultancy.
Is YTKO a public or private company?
YTKO is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was YTKO founded?
YTKO was founded in 1978. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is YTKO based?
YTKO is headquartered in Littleport, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does YTKO make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Sector Contracts and Grants are the primary driver. The others are strategic Consultancy Services and outset Finance - Start-Up Loans.
Who are YTKO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Enterprise Nation, Be the Business, Locality, Business in the Community, Hatch Enterprise, The Prince's Trust and School for Social Entrepreneurs. Broad incumbents are British Business Bank and Federation of Small Businesses. Startup Coalition is listed as an emerging player.
Does YTKO have an API?
No public API is recorded for YTKO.
What industry is YTKO in?
YTKO's product category is Business Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAD, Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities, with a secondary code of BPADABAM, Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs. Its NAICS code is 54172 and its SIC code is 8742.