More than 175 researchers, innovators, investors and ecosystem leaders gathered at the Sister – Renold Innovation Hub in Manchester last week to explore how stronger regional collaboration can accelerate the journey from research to commercial impact.
The event, Powering Research Commercialisation Across the North, hosted by the Innovate UK ICURe in partnership with The University of Manchester and NxNW Partners, marked a significant moment for the UK’s innovation ecosystem. It brought together key stakeholders to launch the new Innovate UK ICURe strategy, which sets out a renewed focus on strengthening research commercialisation across the UK, aligning with the UK Government’s priority industrial sectors, supported by a coordinated regional delivery.
Innovate UK’s Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme is the UK’s flagship early-stage research pre-accelerator. Through closer collaboration between regional partners, ICURe aims to support a stronger pipeline of investment-ready opportunities and deepen connections between research, industry and investors.
The programme will be delivered through the North by Northwest (NxNW) consortium – a partnership of universities across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The University of Manchester will lead the NxNW consortium through Unit M, the University’s gateway to innovation.
Professor Aline Miller, University of Manchester and Unit M, said: “NxNW Partners, University of Manchester and Unit M all share a strategic vision; to strengthen the innovation ecosystem across the northern belt of the UK. We see ICURe as central to our plan and an enabler of commercialisation of cutting-edge research across the priority sectors of the UK Industrial Strategy.
“It was clear from the event that the UK’s ability to scale research-driven innovation depends on stronger connections between regions, partners and investors. We’re working in collaboration with our regional partners to build the conditions for research-led companies to start, stay, grow and scale.”
During the event, spin-out showcases and networking sessions provided a platform for emerging ventures to engage directly with investors and partners, reinforcing the strength of the pipeline being developed through ICURe.
Partners attending the launch included representatives from UKRI, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Liverpool City Region (LCR), Northern Gritstone, Invest Northern Ireland, Scottish Enterprise, and university partners from across the NxNW consortium.
“The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester City Centre on Oxford Road.”
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