Government launches eight innovation hubs with grant funding for local businesses
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Posted: Mon 23rd Oct 2023
The government has announced new innovation hubs in eight UK regions and nations which will each provide up to £7.5m in research and development (R&D) grant funding for local businesses.
Following pilots in Liverpool and Teesside, eight new 'Launchpads' will be run by Innovate UK focused on sectors including healthcare and net zero.
Each of the Launchpads, which are focused on boosting local employment, economic growth and productivity, will receive up to £7.5m R&D grant funding that individual businesses and consortia of businesses can bid for a share of.
The government said the hubs will also provide access to specialised innovation resources, and opportunities for founders to connect, share ideas, and participate in joint ventures.
More than 40 bids for innovation hubs were received. The eight selected new clusters are:
Net Zero Industry Launchpad in South West Wales
Digital Technologies Launchpad in North East England
Health Technologies Launchpad in West Yorkshire
Agri-tech and Food Tech Launchpad in Eastern England
Marine and Maritime Launchpad in the South West
Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad in Scotland
Immersive and Creative Industries Launchpad in Coventry and Warwickshire
Life and Health Sciences Launchpad in Northern Ireland
Science minister George Freeman 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, Teeside 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."
Applications for funding are open until 6 December for marine and maritime businesses in the South West, immersive and creative businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire and agri-tech and food tech businesses in the East of England.
Funding in other areas will open to applications on 30 October and close on 13 December. Find more details and apply for funding here.
Relevant Enterprise Nation resources
Tools and advice for boosting productivity in Enterprise Nation's Tech Hub
Lunch and Learn: How to claim research and development (R&D) tax credits
R&D tax credits: How changes to the rules may affect your small business
Driving innovation for changing customer needs during challenging times
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