West Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are two of eight regional clusters of world-class innovation across the UK being backed by a share of £75 million to boost local economies and pioneer game-changing solutions from healthcare to net zero, UK Science Minister George Freeman has announced.
A Health Technologies Launchpad will be based in West Yorkshire, and dedicated to pioneering breakthroughs in technologies that will improve healthcare outcomes.
In Lincolnshire the Agri-tech and Food Tech Launchpad will revolutionise agri-tech and food technology, driving innovation in food production and sustainability
Launchpads is a programme that supports emerging clusters of SMEs by providing each Launchpad up to £7.5 million from Innovate UK to fund innovation projects led by local businesses.
The £7.5 million bespoke funding from each Launchpad will allow SMEs in each region to bid for support that is tailored to the unique needs of each business cluster, helping them drive innovation, expand operations, and boost their local economies.
Launchpads concentrate their support in specific areas of the UK with strong innovation capabilities. This approach encourages close collaboration with local leaders and provides tailored support, including funding for research and development, access to specialised innovation resources, and opportunities for SMEs to connect, share ideas, and participate in joint ventures.
George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “The UK science, research and innovation economy is not just the ‘golden triangle’ of Cambridge-Oxford-London. It is all around the UK.
“From Glasgow satellite manufacturing to Manchester materials, Teesside hydrogen and Liverpool life sciences, alongside as many as 25 other globally recognised hubs around the UK – we have world class R&D – and supporting these regional clusters of world class innovation is central to our plan to make the UK an ‘Innovation Nation’.
“That is why we have launched our flagship Launchpads programme – and this £75 million investment will support high-growth companies to build the industries of tomorrow – in sectors from renewable energy through to digital health. These Launchpads will play a pivotal role in growing our local economies, creating jobs and levelling up the UK.”
