Business-driven initiatives poised to enhance growth throughout the UK are gaining momentum. The Innovate UK Launchpad program is accelerating with a £16 million investment earmarked for 101 fresh projects.

This program is designed to bolster clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the most innovative businesses, guiding their concepts towards commercial viability and thereby fueling local economic expansion.

Each Launchpad initiative has been tailored in collaboration with local authorities to fortify innovation within specific clusters nationwide.

Initially introduced in October 2023, eight Innovate UK Launchpads were established, and the recent announcement signals the commencement of investments, with each cluster receiving an equal share of £16 million.

These investments aim to foster innovation within eight key clusters across the country:

1. Net zero industry Launchpad: Located in south-west Wales, this Launchpad focuses on sustainable solutions for industrial emissions, initially funding six projects including green hydrogen and modular solar power.
2. Digital technologies Launchpad: Positioned in north-east England, this Launchpad concentrates on digital technologies applied to emerging markets, with thirteen projects receiving funding, eight of which are centered on AI and machine learning.
3. Health technologies Launchpad: Based in West Yorkshire, this Launchpad aims to advance healthcare technologies, with ten projects offered funding, four of which focus on AI and data in healthcare.
4. Agri-tech and food technology Launchpad: Located in eastern England, this Launchpad aims to innovate food production and sustainability, funding twelve projects covering various aspects including crop yield improvement and automation.
5. Marine and maritime Launchpad: Situated in the Great South West, this Launchpad supports initiatives in marine and maritime industries, funding twelve projects focusing on areas like clean maritime technologies and water quality monitoring.
6. Bio-based manufacturing Launchpad: Positioned in Scotland, this Launchpad promotes innovations in sustainable production methods, funding thirteen projects spanning areas like feedstocks and seaweed processing.
7. Immersive and creative industries Launchpad: Located in Coventry and Warwickshire, this Launchpad funds thirteen projects in technologies for creative industries and immersive applications.
8. Life and health sciences Launchpad: Situated in Northern Ireland, this Launchpad focuses on healthcare solutions and medical breakthroughs, with fourteen projects initially funded.

Additionally, Innovate UK has allocated funding for cluster management within each Launchpad area, aiming to facilitate networking activities and support for SMEs to leverage available resources for growth and innovation.

These Launchpads build on the success of previous pilots in 2022, such as those in the Tees Valley and Liverpool City Region, and reflect the UK government’s commitment to supporting regional growth and innovation across diverse sectors.