Place
From our Innovate Local event programme to our Net Zero Places Innovation Network, we are committed to delivering place-based activities that make a difference to innovators across the UK.
What is ‘Place’?
Places are both an enabler and a driver for innovation. The Levelling Up White Paper makes clear the importance of place and place-based initiatives in delivering economic, environmental, and societal benefits across the UK and we are committed to connecting national and regional innovation to enable these benefits.
Our objectives for Place at Innovate UK KTN:
- We inspire by showcasing innovation excellence from across the UK
- We involve by convening and connecting places together to meet UK aspirations such as Net Zero and Levelling Up
- We invest by informing government levers for place and support national decision making in areas like funding and procurement
This means looking at innovation from a place-first rather than sector-first perspective, working between national policies and local priorities. On a practical level, it means we’re doing things in places, for the benefit of those places. From our Innovate Local event programme to our Net Zero Places Innovation Network, we are committed to delivering activities that make a difference to innovators across the UK.
Place and levelling up
FOCUS AREA
Strengthening UK capability in places
We must support existing excellent local innovation strengths that are critical to overall UK capability, for example through investments in strategic infrastructure or building clusters of excellence.
FOCUS AREA
Connecting national to local
We need local and national business support to work together with better signposting and awareness of national and specialist support. We must make it easier for businesses to find the best support, whether local or national.
FOCUS AREA
Driving local impact
We must tailor our support to innovative business clusters to build capacity, stimulate greater connectivity between local businesses and the research base and deliver greater productivity and economic impact.
Launchpad programme
Innovate UK Launchpad is a programme aimed at supporting emerging clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Launched in 2020, it provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help SMEs grow and scale their businesses.
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Related Events and Recordings
Our Experts
Related News
08/11/2023
New innovative projects funded in Liverpool City Region
Grants of between £93,000 and £496,000 have been offered to 13 Liverpool City Region projects in the final round of Innovate UK’s launchpad programme, designed to drive innovation across all parts of the UK.
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07/11/2023
Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City region form new partnerships for Scottish innovation
In a landmark collaboration announced at the Can-Do Innovation Summit, Innovate UK and Scottish Enterprise unveiled a new commitment to support Scottish businesses by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), whilst launching the Regional Action Plan with Glasgow City Region.
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27/04/2023
Innovate UK and Welsh Government sign a new collaboration arrangement
A new plan to boost business in Wales, developed by Innovate UK, in partnership with Welsh Government, has been launched, paving the way for a strengthened innovation economy.
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23/02/2023
Innovate UK launches new local action plan in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Innovations pave the way for brighter futures, for example, by creating new technologies that enable people to have longer and healthier lives. To help drive innovation across the UK, Innovate UK are partnering with key stakeholders to develop local innovation plans.
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Programmes related to Place
Net Zero Places Innovation Network
Making net zero a reality in the UK by supporting local/regional authorities to achieve their net zero ambitions by connecting, collaborating, sharing experiences and adopting innovation.
Launchpads
Innovate UK Launchpad is a programme aimed at supporting emerging clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Launched in 2020, it provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help SMEs grow and scale their businesses.
Related Opportunities
Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators
Opens: 27/11/2023 Closes: 08/01/2024
UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £2m to work with Local Authorities to develop place-based solutions to transport decarbonisation.
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Launchpad: health technology, West Yorkshire
Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 13/12/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m to grow activities in the health technology innovation cluster in West Yorkshire.
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Launchpad: agri-tech and food tech in Eastern England
Opens: 23/10/2023 Closes: 06/12/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for business led projects in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Eastern England.
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Launchpad: marine and maritime in the Great South West
Opens: 23/10/2023 Closes: 06/12/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for business led projects that grow marine & maritime activities in the Great South West.
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DCMS Create Growth Programme competition 2: investor partnership
Opens: 26/10/2023 Closes: 10/01/2024
UK registered creative SMEs in 12 specific English regions can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners to support growth.
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Launchpad: life & health sciences, Northern Ireland
Opens: 30/10/2023 Closes: 13/12/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for business led projects in the life and health sciences innovation cluster in Northern Ireland.