DSIT releases Innovation Clusters Map
The UK research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem is made up of clusters. These are groups of firms, research capabilities, skills, and related industries that benefit from being based in the same location.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s newly published Innovation Clusters Map presents the most comprehensive picture to date of firm-level innovation activity across the UK. It allows users to explore the geography, distribution and strengths of clusters.
Used in combination with local intelligence and engagement, it will help investors, policymakers and others to better understand, engage with and invest in the UK’s ecosystem.
You can find the Innovation Clusters Map online here.
Government's approach to clusters
The map will play a vital role in supporting the 3 goals for clusters set out by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan MP.
These are:
Increase private investment in innovation clusters significantly, building on substantial public investment, and anchored in clusters’ unique strengths.
Ensure clusters can expertly communicate their investible propositions to investors and have access to the right support to take these to fruition.
Ensure people across the UK benefit from the innovation-led economy, by creating high-skilled jobs and prosperity across its innovation clusters.
What's next for clusters?
This release marks another step towards this Government's vision for world-class and globally leading clusters of innovation to exist across the UK as nexuses of opportunity and growth. Achieving this will require co-ordinated action across the public and private sector.
We are also pleased to see other publications released in the past days, including the STFC’s Cluster Strategy and NP11’s Innovation Clusters in the North of England. These build on similar releases across other regions and sectors, and we look forward to more to come.
If you have any further feedback DSIT have set up a dedicated mailbox at: innovationclusters@dsit.gov.uk.
techUK's clusters activity
How to build a world leading semiconductor cluster: Lessons from Wales
Join us on March 4th at 14:00 to hear from Ruth Jones MP, and leading industry experts how Welsh Compound Semiconductors will be a bedrock for future innovation.
Attendees will gain world class insights from those pioneering this sector, like CSA Catapult, Csconnected, MicroLink Devices UK, Microchip Technology, and IQE.
Register for your free ticket here.
Event round-up - Lessons from Yorkshire: How Space Clusters are supporting the UK to become a tech superpower
This webinar, run in collaboration with Space Hub Yorkshire, explored how industry can best leverage the UK's Space Cluster network.
You can watch all presentations, plus the Q&A segment, here.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
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