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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
1:00 AM 10th April 2024
business
Hi-Tech Projects On The Launchpad
100+ Business-led Schemes Set To Boost Growth All Over The UK
The Innovate UK Launchpad programme supports clusters of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the most innovative businesses to progress their ideas toward commercialisation, contributing to local economic growth. Each Launchpad has been developed in collaboration with local leadership, to strengthen innovation in targeted clusters across the UK.
Eight Innovate UK Launchpads were announced in October 2023 and yesterday's announcement marked the first round of investments, providing each cluster with an equal share of £16 million. These investments will contribute to growing innovative businesses across the following eight clusters.
Positioned in North East England, this Launchpad will be at the forefront of digital technologies applied into fast growth and emerging markets. Thirteen projects received an offer of funding, of which eight are focused on making significant advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning.
Based in West Yorkshire, this Launchpad is dedicated to pioneering breakthroughs in technologies that will improve healthcare outcomes. Of the ten projects offered funding, four are centred on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data within healthcare.
Net zero industry Launchpad
Located in South West Wales, this Launchpad is dedicated to the pursuit of sustainable solutions in net zero industrial emissions. Funding has initially been offered for six projects, advancing sustainable technologies including green hydrogen, modular solar power, and floating wind technologies.
Agri-tech and food technology Launchpad
Located in Eastern England, this Launchpad will revolutionise agri-tech and food technology, driving innovation in food production and sustainability. The twelve projects offered funding cover the full breath of the sector including improving the yield and nutritional value of crops, automating harvesting, and producing food and drinks with enhanced health benefits.
Marine and maritime Launchpad
Located in the Great South West, this Launchpad will support initiatives in marine and maritime industries, fostering growth and sustainability in this sector. Twelve projects have been offered funding across clean maritime, marine autonomy and digital marine technologies with an emphasis on water quality and monitoring and uncrewed surface vessels. All the projects aim to make our oceans safer and support the transition towards a net zero ocean economy.
Bio-based manufacturing Launchpad
Positioned in Scotland, this Launchpad will drive innovations in bio-based manufacturing, promoting sustainable production methods. Thirteen projects have been offered funding that cover a wide range of innovations including feedstocks, sustainable peat-free growing media, seaweed processing and wastewater treatment screening.
Immersive and creative industries Launchpad
Centred on Coventry and Warwickshire in the West Midlands, this Launchpad has offered funding to thirteen projects, with businesses developing technologies for the creative industries and immersive applications in industry. Innovate UK will deliver this Launchpad in collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) who support the universities at the heart of this cluster.
Life and health sciences Launchpad
Situated in Northern Ireland, this Launchpad is dedicated to the advancement of healthcare solutions and medical breakthroughs. Funding has initially been offered to fourteen projects, across digital health, biotech therapeutics and diagnostics and medical technologies disciplines.
As part of the investments, Innovate UK has awarded funding for cluster management within each of the eight Launchpad areas. Local cluster managers will work with stakeholders to convene local innovators, provide networking activities, and support SME businesses to benefit from the full range of support available. This includes attracting the inward investment required to support the growth and scale-up of innovation in the cluster.
Innovate UK Launchpads were successfully piloted in 2022 with a share of £15 million funding for clusters in the Tees Valley and Liverpool City Region. Additionally, in Spring Budget 2024, UK Government announced £5m for an agri-food Launchpad for mid and north Wales that will soon open for its first applications.
“Innovators from every corner of the UK can benefit from support to break through, and our initial £16m of Launchpads funding is helping over 100 small and medium businesses to turn the seed of an idea into a potentially pioneering discovery.
“From agri-tech in the east of England and sustainable manufacturing in Scotland, to work in Wales advancing net zero and novel efforts in Northern Ireland to boost our thriving life sciences sector, we are backing ideas that can grow local economies and help us all live healthier lives.”
“As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK is committed to supporting regional growth and nurturing technology clusters across the UK.
Our Launchpads will help to attract further private sector R&D investment into innovation clusters, growing local economies and delivering societal and economic benefits to local communities.
Today, we are pleased to announce details on these new projects that help SME businesses benefit from our Launchpad support.”
For more information, updates and announcements on Innovate UK Launchpads, please visit: www.iuk.ktn-uk.org/programme/launchpads
Wider opportunities for support can be found at:
https://ukinnovationhub.ukri.org/