Following pilots launched in Liverpool and Teesside earlier this year, a further eight innovation “Launchpads” will be rolled out across the UK, backed by £75m in funding.

The Launchpads programme aims to support regional clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in designated high-tech sectors, including key industries such as agri-tech, renewable energy, and digital healthcare solutions.

Local businesses can apply for support that’s tailored to the needs of each business cluster, helping to drive increased innovation, employment, economic growth, and productivity. Innovate UK is providing each Launchpad with up to £7.5m.

Announcing the funding today, 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, 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.”

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In Scotland, there’ll be a Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad, helping to drive innovation in bio-based manufacturing and promoting sustainable production methods.

Speaking on it, John Lamont, the UK government minister for Scotland, said: “Scotland is a world leader in scientific innovation and research and development across a range of hi-tech sectors.

“This funding from the UK government for a Scottish Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad, connected to the other clusters across the UK, will help boost economic growth and ensure our businesses are at the forefront of sustainable production techniques.”

The other clusters, alongside the already-trialled Liverpool and Teesside clusters, include:

• 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 Great South West.
• Immersive and Creative Industries Launchpad, centred on Coventry and Warwickshire in the West Midlands.
• Life and Health Sciences Launchpad, in Northern Ireland.
• Net Zero Industry Launchpad, in South West Wales.

The Launchpads and the corresponding funding follows a competitive bidding process from more than 40 proposals from across the UK, put forward by local leaders and evaluated by a panel of Innovate UK directors, experts, and academics.

On the programme as a whole, Indro Mukerjee, the chief executive of Innovate UK, commented: “Innovate UK is building strong regional partnerships across the UK to support local innovation and commercialisation.

“Our new 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.”