£75 Million Investment Bolsters Local Research, Businesses, and Economies in Expert Regional Innovation Hubs Throughout the UK

24 Oct, 2023

£75 Million Investment Bolsters Local Research, Businesses, and Economies in Expert Regional Innovation Hubs Throughout the UK

The UK Science Minister, George Freeman, has announced a £75 million investment to support regional innovation hubs across the UK. These hubs, characterized by their world-class innovation, will play a pivotal role in boosting local economies and spearheading groundbreaking solutions in various sectors, from healthcare to achieving net-zero goals.

Following successful pilot programs in Liverpool and Teesside, a total of 8 Launchpads, facilitated by Innovate UK, will be rolled out across all regions in the UK. These initiatives will build upon the existing clusters of high-tech innovation in each region, such as renewable energy in Southwest Wales, Agri-tech in East Anglia, and digital health in Yorkshire.

The Launchpads program is designed to bolster emerging clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing up to £7.5 million from Innovate UK to fund innovation projects led by local businesses. This bespoke funding for each Launchpad will enable SMEs in each region to seek tailored support, addressing the unique needs of their business clusters, thus driving innovation, expanding operations, and stimulating local economies.

The Launchpads program focuses its support on regions with strong innovation capabilities, fostering close collaboration with local leaders. It includes funding for research and development, access to specialized innovation resources, and opportunities for SMEs to connect, exchange ideas, and engage in joint ventures.

Notable initiatives include Teesside University's leadership in net-zero research projects, with investments in waste diversion technologies, and Liverpool City Region's support for 23 green projects, including eco-friendly solutions for climate change-related challenges.

George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, emphasized the importance of supporting regional R&D and innovation clusters, highlighting the UK's diverse strengths in science, research, and innovation across various regions.

The £75 million funding allocation resulted from a competitive bidding process, involving more than 40 proposals from local leaders across the UK. This initiative aims to establish globally interconnected innovation clusters that drive employment, economic growth, and productivity within the regions.

The 8 clusters selected for funding are as follows:

South West Wales: Launchpad for Achieving Net Zero in Industry
North East England: Launchpad for Digital Technologies Advancement
West Yorkshire: Launchpad for Innovations in Health Technologies
Eastern England: Launchpad for Agri-tech and Food Tech Innovation
The Great South West: Launchpad for Marine and Maritime Advancements
Scotland: Launchpad for Bio-based Manufacturing Excellence
Coventry and Warwickshire: Launchpad for Immersive and Creative Industries
Northern Ireland: Launchpad for Advancements in Life and Health Sciences

Indro Mukerjee, Chief Executive of Innovate UK, expressed the organization's commitment to fostering regional innovation and commercialization and attracting private sector R&D investment to these clusters.

Government officials from different regions, including the Welsh Secretary of State David TC Davies, the UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont, and Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker, highlighted the potential of these Launchpads to boost economic growth, innovation, and collaboration within their respective areas.