Millions of pounds are to be pumped into the Liverpool City Region as part of a pilot scheme to drive innovation beyond south-east England.
Competitive grants up to £6m are to be offered to businesses across the six local authority areas to focus on developing innovations that transform the city region’s advanced manufacturing cluster. Liverpool City Region is one of two areas outside of the South East to be selected for the Launchpad pilot programme.
Grants starting at £15,000 are available for business-led innovation projects, alongside wrap-around support for growth. Grant funding of up to £1m is available for projects which provide exceptional impact to the cluster of SMEs.
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The initiative follows publication of the Liverpool City Region's first Innovation Prospectus earlier this year that highlights world-leading strengths in infection prevention and control, advanced manufacturing, AI solutions, as well as emerging capabilities in net zero and maritime technologies. The city region is also the UK’s first place to refresh its Science and Innovation Audit.
The Prospectus showcases more than £12bn of investment opportunities in the city region including a £3bn research and development projects pipeline, at least £4bn in the Mersey Tidal Power programme, and £5bn in HyNet. It also highlights the Liverpool City Region’s innovation assets and clusters, fertile innovation ecosystem and exceptional partnerships between industry research organisations and the public sector.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ambition is for 5% of the local economy to be invested in research and development by 2030 – nearly double the national target. Mr Rotheram said: “The Liverpool City Region has a proven track record in delivering world-leading innovation, so it’s no surprise that we’ve been recognised by Innovate UK as one of the country’s hotbeds for investment.
“With some of the brightest minds in advanced manufacturing, infection control, and AI, right on our doorstep – it’s safe to say they’ve come to the right place. For too long the North has been treated like a poor relation to the Golden Triangle.
“This could be an important first step in finally redressing that and delivering real levelling up, as well as reaping the wider benefits it brings to the local economy and job market. Locally, we’re putting our money where our mouth is too, with plans to invest 5% of GVA into R&D – nearly double the national targets - but it’s essential that the government matches our ambition with further funding if they’re serious about helping us to unleash our full potential.”
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Growth Platform – the Liverpool City Region Growth Company, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, and other stakeholders have been directly involved in developing the Launchpad programme
The scheme starts with up to £6m investment across two pilot Launchpads in the Liverpool City Region and Tees Valley. That figure will rise to up to £15m over the programme’s pilot period.
The Liverpool City Region Launchpad will focus on the advanced manufacturing sector, with digital technologies and net zero outcomes, building on the local economic strengths, R&D assets and strategic priorities.
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