£100 Million to accelerate Cluster Growth in Levelling Up Approach

Twenty-six research and development projects are to receive backing from the £100 million Innovation Accelerators programme to spur the growth of three high-potential innovation clusters in Glasgow, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

The programme is pioneering a new model of R&D decision-making that empowers local leaders to harness innovation in support of regional economic growth with the projects attracting private R&D investment, creating new jobs and boosting regional economic growth. 

The Three city regions in Glasgow, Greater Manchester and West Midlands were chosen to pilot this programme in recognition of their R&D strengths, robust private and public innovation governance and strong local leadership.

Glasgow will boost extensive venture capital investment in key growth innovation sectors including advanced manufacturing, space and precision medicine.

Greater Manchester will lead the way in sustainable advanced materials and manufacturing, digital and tech, health innovation and technology to become carbon neutral by 2038.

West Midlands will accelerate R&D and innovation strengths to enable greener technologies and improved personalised and digital healthcare for all regions, while boosting supply chains and creating new local jobs.

Innovate UK has led UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) support in delivery of the programme, working in collaboration with the three local partnerships and dedicated support from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

As a pilot programme, the Innovation Accelerators will also deepen our understanding of the right conditions and interventions to grow successful innovation clusters throughout the country and to cement the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower.

Minister of State for Science Research and Innovation at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman said: “Record investment in our UK science, technology and innovation sectors are creating new career opportunities in the campuses, clusters and companies of tomorrow.

“R&D is key to levelling-up by growing the R&D Innovation Economy outside the Greater South East. That’s why UKRI is putting clusters at the heart of its strategy and why our £100m Innovation Accelerator Program provides £33m each to 3 emerging clusters to attract industrial co-investment and become major, globally competitive centres.”

Indro Mukerjee, Chief Executive at Innovate UK said: “As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK is dedicated to building strong regional partnerships to boost local innovation and commercialisation. Our Innovation Accelerators will attract further private sector investment in city regions, driving economic and societal growth and benefiting local communities. Together, we can unleash the full innovation potential of every community in the UK.”

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