- Liverpool City Region aims to invest 5% of GVA in R&D a year by 2030
- Summit brings together leaders from academia, government, business and finance to explore collaboration and investment opportunities
- Follows launch of LCR Growth Plan which could add upwards of £10bn GVA to the city region economy and create tens of thousands of jobs
- Strongest speaker line-up to date
- Keynote speech from Jaspreet Grewal, a global life sciences expert and Board Member of Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce
- Mayor: ‘I want the value innovation creates to be felt in every community.’
Liverpool City Region is hosting its fourth Innovation and Investment Summit – bringing together leading voices from government, business, academia and finance to accelerate the region’s ambition to become a UK innovation powerhouse.
Taking place at The Spine in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter today, October 15, the summit underlines the region’s UK-leading place-based innovation approaches and spotlight the bold target to invest 5% of GVA in Research and Development by 2030.
The summit highlights why innovation is the golden thread running through the recently launched LCR Local Growth Plan to add upwards of £10bn GVA to the LCR economy. The event builds on the city region’s annual Innovation and Investment Fortnight, held in May, showcasing £1billion live innovation programmes and a £2billion pipeline of opportunities across high-growth sectors.
It brings together senior figures from across the regional and national innovation ecosystem to enhance collaboration and thought leadership.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who will open the summit, said:
“From our Life Sciences Innovation Zone, which will create thousands of high-value jobs, to LCR Connect, our own publicly owned, ultrafast digital network, we’re proving that world-class innovation doesn’t just happen in the Golden Triangle – it’s already here in the Liverpool City Region.
“But this isn’t a story about big numbers and shiny buildings – it’s about people. We’re bringing our communities with us on this journey and creating good jobs, new skills and real opportunities for them to thrive. Because innovation means little if its benefits are locked away in laboratories or boardrooms. I want the value it creates to be felt in every community – from Kirkby to West Kirby – because growth that doesn’t lift people up isn’t growth worth having.
“Our message is clear: We’re ready to work with government, with investors, and with innovators from across the globe to make our area the UK’s most investable innovation region – a place where big ideas become real opportunities for the 1.6 million people we represent.”
The summit has grown in scale and stature year on year which is reflected in its strongest-ever speaker line-up.
It features top level representatives from the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), Innovate UK, and AxialBridge, alongside the Mayor and vice chancellors from the region’s universities.
Attendees also include leaders from UK Research & innovation the British Business Bank, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Canadian High Commission, RTC North, BioGrad, and the University of Liverpool, alongside the Mayor and vice chancellors from the region’s universities.
The programme includes keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, with SMEs able to access direct support through the Innovation Marketplace and Founders Corner.
Jaspreet Grewal, a former clinician and researcher who now works as a venture partner and strategic consultant, will deliver a keynote speech on developing innovation ecosystems, drawing on nearly two decades of global experience in healthcare, life sciences and venture capital.
CEO and Co-Founder of Axial Bridge, a global life sciences advisory firm, her talk will explore how diverse, globally connected ecosystems can support clinical research, innovation and access to capital.
She was joined by Dr Caroline Martin, Research & Innovation Partnerships Lead, High Commission of Canada to the UK and Nicholas Greenwood, Trade & Investment Analyst, Govt of Alberta, further underscoring the significance of ongoing partnerships with the High Commission. During their stay, the Canadian delegation also embarked on a series of visits to meet with key stakeholders, including iiCON, LSTM, Knowledge Quarter, and BioGrad.
The summit is particularly relevant for local founders Shameem Sampath from AI Rehab and Michael Watts of Blum Health, both of whom are actively expanding into the Canadian market.
Notably, Blum Health is participating in a six-month Global Incubator Programme with Innovate UK Business Growth with the support of Alex Pilkington of IUK BG.
Alex said:
“We’re delighted to be developing such close ties to Canada, a country that holds a special place in my heart. Jaspreet and the team at the High Commission have been incredibly generous with their time and support, and we hope this marks the beginning of many more conversations and opportunities.”
Further information on the Global Incubator Programme (GIP), the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) – Global Incubator Programme – Innovate UK Business Connect
Summit Highlights
- Keynotes from national innovation leaders, including Holly Yates, Director for Science, Research and Innovation at DSIT, and Dean Cook, Executive Director for Place and Global at Innovate UK.
- Spotlight sessions from the British Business Bank, ARIA, and the British Venture Capital Association, exploring funding and investment trends.
- Panel discussions with university leaders on building high-growth clusters and the role of academia in driving innovation.
- Innovation Marketplace and Founders Corner, offering SMEs direct access to support from Innovate UK Business Growth and LYVA Labs.
- Networking opportunities with over 150 attendees from across the public and private sectors.
