Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has been chosen as a delivery partner to UKRI for the Local Innovation Partnership Fund.
This will see at least £30m of funding from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), leveraging up to £90m of wider investment, which will target innovation-led economic growth in the region.
Over the five-year programme, the fund will help build a regional environment that allows businesses, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to put innovation into practice, pulling on strengths in academic research and putting it into the market so that new products and services become a reality.
Joanne Alison, Director, UKRI Place Programme commented, “We are really looking forward to working with Cardiff Capital Region to deliver the Local Innovation Partnership Fund. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity to accelerate the region’s research and innovation ecosystem through tailored, place-based investment that builds on regional strengths.
“By fostering deeper collaboration between local businesses, research institutions, and CCR, we aim to unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth, drive productivity, and support the development of high-potential sectors. Together, we can create a thriving innovation landscape that delivers real impact for communities across the region.”
Over the coming months, CCR will be gathering data and evidence, and engaging with the regional business and research community to understand where the fund should be focused, and how CCR and its dedicated innovation team, can build on existing industrial strengths in the region.
Kellie Beirne, Chief Executive for Cardiff Capital Region, said, “We are so excited to be working on this new UK Government initiative, as part of the network of 10 regions across the UK. It is a testament to the innovation that is already taking place across our ten local authorities, whether that is through our incredible public sector, the brilliance of our academics or within the private sector.
“It all amounts to bringing tech, talent and trade to our growing and thriving region. I am looking forward to seeing how this programme develops over the next five years and cement South-East Wales as one of the UK’s leading regions for innovation.”
The programme and Cardiff Capital Region will use a ‘triple helix’ of industry, academia and public sector to ensure that all decisions are made in a way that bring the best benefits for the region, and with transparency.
