UK science, universities and regions unite for inaugural Science Investment Summit during London Tech Week 2026

Taking place alongside London Tech Week, the Summit will see The Royal Society host ‘UK Science and Innovation’ House between 8th – 9th June. The event will provide a platform for the UK’s nations and regions to showcase their extraordinary wealth of science, innovation and investment opportunities to a global audience of investors, industry and research partners.

The Summit has been convened by the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign and is Co-Chaired by the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Dame Angela McLean. It is being supported by the UK Government and agencies such as UK Research and Innovation, as well Mayors, Industry Partners and Universities UK.

The Summit will highlight the science and R&D strengths underpinning the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and its eight priority sectors, showcase cutting edge university spinouts and present investment-ready capital opportunities linked to universities, R&D and innovation. It will celebrate the significant contribution already made by universities and science in attracting investment into the UK – and it will convene researchers, founders, industry and investors with an interest in the frontiers of discovery and innovation.

Summit Co-Chair, and UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Dame Angela McClean said: “Science impacts all aspects of life and society. It plays an important role in the UK economy and the job market. British science and technology are at the forefront of the UK’s reputation as a nation to collaborate with, where businesses can invest and entrepreneurs can turn their ideas into innovation. 

“The summit is an opportunity to showcase the UK’s many outstanding R&D investment opportunities and help accelerate the positive impact that science has on our lives.” 

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, who will host their inaugural Future Innovators Reception at the Summit said: “The UK’s world-leading universities are vital to the country’s future economic growth. They make the discoveries of tomorrow and help people to turn those innovations into successful businesses that go on to employ thousands of people in well paid jobs.

“The Global R&D and Science Investment Summit will be a unique opportunity to showcase the immense talent and opportunity that exists within UK universities to investors from around the world, connecting the founders of spinouts and startups with the capital they need to flourish.”

Professor Christopher Smith, UK Research and Innovation International Champion and Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, said: “The UK is a global leader in science and innovation, with outstanding universities and a creative workforce. In a competitive world, that leadership needs to be strengthened, sustained and showcased. This summit is an opportunity to build from the successful Invest in the UK R&D Campaign to map a path to a strategy for science, innovation and investment for the UK’s growth in the 21st century.”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands County Combined Authority said: “The East Midlands is at the heart of the UK’s future as an innovation nation, hosting initiatives such as STEP-Fusion the UK’s flagship £2.5 billion+ programme to design and build a prototype fusion power plant. We are also proud to be the region that hosts companies such Rolls Royce and their ground-breaking aviation, defence and Small Modular Reactor programmes – as well as three world-class universities.

The Summit is an excellent opportunity to showcase our region’s outstanding innovation investment opportunities to the global audience of investors and companies attending London Tech Week – and we are delighted to be involved in this pioneering initiative”

Vicky Evans, Director, Cities Planning and Design for Arup said: “Arup is delighted to support the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit during London Tech Week. Headquartered in the UK, we have a long track-record of advancing innovation in the built environment across the UK and globally.

Working with partners across the public- and private-sectors, we help shape places where science and innovation can flourish. From decarbonisation and regeneration to critical digital infrastructure, our teams bring deep technical expertise alongside strategic and delivery insight to turn ambition into outcomes.

We look forward to connecting discovery with investment and accelerating social and economic growth across the UK.”

Fiona Tuck, Director of Metro Dynamics said: “Innovation-led growth rarely happens in isolation. It emerges from strong ecosystems, where industry, universities, investors and public institutions are aligned around shared priorities. Metro Dynamics works with places across the UK to design the collaboration structures that allow those ecosystems to mobilise and scale. We’re delighted to be part of the Nations & Regions zone, an important opportunity to showcase the breadth of innovation capability across the UK and the role places play in driving national growth.”

Dr Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation said: “Midlands Innovation is delighted to be convening the inaugural Summit as part of our pioneering Invest in UK University R&D Campaign. The Campaign has shown that, in the Midlands, universities play a major role in attracting investment, driving growth and creating jobs. Leveraging our global connections to industry, research and alumni, we have helped fly the flag for opportunities to invest in our Region  – working in partnership with our Mayors, industry and national government.

From the outset, the Campaign’s remit has been to provide a national “proof-of-concept” pilot for Government and universities right across the UK. We think that the partnership model developed in the Midlands can be scaled right across the UK in support of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and the local growth plans of our Nations and Regions. The Summit is an excellent way to bring this all to life and to end the pilot phase of the Campaign.”