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.
We look 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.
Inspiring
We inspire by showcasing innovation excellence from across the UK
Connecting
We involve by convening and connecting places together to meet UK aspirations such as Net Zero and Levelling Up
Investing
We invest by informing government levers for place and support national decision making in areas like funding and procurement
Reimagine your place
FOCUS AREA
Strengthening UK capability in places
We support existing excellent local innovation strengths that are critical to overall UK capability, through investment support in strategic infrastructure, to building clusters of excellence.
FOCUS AREA
Connecting national to local
We need local and national business support across the UK, to work together with better signposting and awareness of national and specialist support. We strive to make it easier for businesses to find the best support, whether local or national.
FOCUS AREA
Driving local impact
We 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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Our Experts
Related Opportunities
Design to Deliver: Collective solutions for wild urban spaces
Opens: 18/09/2024 Closes: 25/10/2024
Up to £50k for solutions that use information to contribute to the successful implementation, stewardship, and maintenance of wild urban places
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Design to Deliver: Informed choices for nature positive actions
Opens: 18/09/2024 Closes: 25/10/2024
Up to £50k for solutions that leverage existing data to help citizens be better informed to make nature-conscious decisions.
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Design to Deliver: Space-Enabled Information for a Thriving World
Opens: 18/09/2024 Closes: 25/10/2024
Up to £50k for solutions that could translate space-enabled data and services into information that is trusted and actionable, fuelling responsible behaviours towards nature.
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SMART: SCOTLAND grants for feasibility studies for SMEs
Applications accepted year-round
The SMART: SCOTLAND grant, for SMEs in Scotland, supports feasibility studies for high-risk, highly ambitious R&D projects.
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Contracts for Innovation: Ending Violence Against Women & Girls
Opens: 09/10/2024 Closes: 04/11/2024
Two NI-based challenges: making spaces safer through design and technology, and addressing violence through data and tech innovations.
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British Business Bank Investment Fund for Wales
Applications open year-round
Offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans £25k-£100k, debt finance £100k-£2m, and equity investment up to £5m.
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Related Events and Recordings
Related News
05/09/2024
New local action plan launched to boost Tees Valley economy
Innovate UK has partnered with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) on a new plan to boost business productivity and innovation in the Tees Valley region.
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26/06/2024
Innovate UK's Innovate Local North East
Innovate UK were joined by businesses and regional stakeholders for Innovate Local North-East, hosted and in partnership with AMP Proto in Gateshead and the TechNext24 Festival.
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Related programmes
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’s Launchpad programme supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovative businesses, strengthening innovation in targeted clusters across the UK.
Innovate Local
Working alongside partners, businesses and stakeholders, Innovate UK hosts this series of events to help innovative businesses maximise their success.