East Midlands
Working collaboratively across the East Midlands is key to our objective to strengthen UK capability in places.
The East Midlands Innovation Landscape
As the UK’s innovation system , we work across the country. We also know that each part of the country is unique with its own strengths and challenges. We are committed to working closely with partners and regional initiatives to ensure you get what you need to innovate and succeed.
With a population of 4.9 million and a GVA of over £104 billion, the East Midlands offers enormous potential with major cities, large towns and rural areas. It has over 368 thousand businesses providing over 2.6m jobs. With a coherent economic area and significant potential for growth in advanced manufacturing, engineering, clean energy, logistics, creative and digital, and health and pharmaceuticals, health and education.
East Midlands is home to the East Midlands Freeport, East Midlands Hydrogen Innovation Zone, Space Park Leicester, Toyota UK, Rolls Royce, Alstom, and Boots.
Launchpads programmes
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. To build on the strengths across Eastern England, we have the Agri Tech and Food Tech Launchpad. Innovate UK is partnering on this Launchpad with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP in the East Midlands, as well as with Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority in the East of England. Learn more about the Launchpads programme.
Learn more
Related programmes
Net Zero Living
Innovate UK’s £60 million, three-year Net Zero Living programme aims to help regional authorities and businesses accelerate the transition to net zero, across the UK and internationally.
Create Growth Programme
Helping businesses in England convert their creative potential into creative growth.
Innovate Local
Working alongside partners, businesses and stakeholders, Innovate UK hosts this series of events to help innovative businesses maximise their success.