Researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders came together for the first East Midlands Tech Week, a new festival created to showcase the region's technology strengths, develop new connections and attract investment.
Across a packed programme of events, delegates explored how innovation can be translated into economic and societal impact. A common theme emerged throughout the week: collaboration is key to turning world-leading research into solutions that benefit people, communities and the economy.
For Midlands Innovation and its partners, the event offered an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and breadth of the region’s innovation ecosystem across health, energy and research commercialisation.
Connecting the MedTech innovation landscape
Showcasing health innovation was a key component of the programme, with Midlands Innovation Health working alongside the University of Leicester and East Midlands Tech Week organisers to support the delivery of the festival’s MedTech event.
As part of the event, delegates heard from a range of speakers who have established MedTech businesses, developed products and deliver support services in the region, sharing inspiring stories of their journeys. Midlands Innovation Health hosted a panel discussion on Connecting the Innovation Landscape with:
- Dr Lucy Alexander, Head of Innovation Programmes & Strategic Engagement at Medilink Midlands,
- Michael Ellis, Senior Innovation Lead, Innovation Pipeline Development Team at Health Innovations East Midlands,
- Professor Stephen Morgan, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nottingham
- Matt Vassey, Director of SPARK The Midlands
Chaired by MI Health Programme Manager, Alex Archibald, panellists discussed what sets the MedTech sector in the region apart from other areas. Stephen Morgan spoke about spinning out his research into a company and benefitting from access to SPARK The Midlands, a programme recently expanded into the East Midlands thanks to Midlands Innovation’s Forging Ahead initiative, which will scale the commercialisation of research in the region. While Lucy Alexander spoke of the Midlands R&D ecosystem as being the best place to start or relocate a business because it is so well connected and is a welcoming and supportive environment. Michael Ellis discussed the appetite in the region for innovation and collaboration, not protectionism, and Matt Vassey highlighted the role of universities in supporting businesses aims, which can help with accelerating the route to the NHS and to market.
Connecting the MedTech innovation landscape
Showcasing health innovation was a key component of the programme, with Midlands Innovation Health working alongside the University of Leicester and East Midlands Tech Week organisers to support the delivery of the festival’s MedTech event.
As part of the event, delegates heard from a range of speakers who have established MedTech businesses, developed products and deliver support services in the region, sharing inspiring stories of their journeys. Midlands Innovation Health hosted a panel discussion on Connecting the Innovation Landscape with:
- Dr Lucy Alexander, Head of Innovation Programmes & Strategic Engagement at Medilink Midlands,
- Michael Ellis, Senior Innovation Lead, Innovation Pipeline Development Team at Health Innovations East Midlands,
- Professor Stephen Morgan, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nottingham,
- and Matt Vassey, Director of SPARK The Midlands.
Chaired by MI Health Programme Manager, Alex Archibald, panellists discussed what sets the MedTech sector in the region apart from other areas. Stephen Morgan spoke about spinning out his research into a company and benefitting from access to SPARK The Midlands, a programme recently expanded into the East Midlands thanks to Midlands Innovation’s Forging Ahead initiative, which will scale the commercialisation of research in the region. While Lucy Alexander spoke of the Midlands R&D ecosystem as being the best place to start or relocate a business because it is so well connected and is a welcoming and supportive environment. Michael Ellis discussed the appetite in the region for innovation and collaboration, not protectionism, and Matt Vassey highlighted the role of universities in supporting businesses aims, which can help with accelerating the route to the NHS and to market.
Celebrating the Midlands’ spinout success
The region’s commercialisation strengths were also on display at the Midlands Spinout Showcase, hosted through the Forging Ahead programme.
Coming just a week after Midlands spinouts were presented to international investors at the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit, the showcase, hosted in Derby, brought together founders, investors, commercialisation specialists and innovation leaders to explore how collaboration can help ambitious ventures grow.
The event highlighted the collective strength of the Forging Ahead partnership, with its network of 16 universities working alongside expert technology transfer teams to accelerate spinout creation, unlock licensing opportunities and strengthen pathways from research discovery to market.
Founders shared their experiences of building companies from university research, discussing both the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling innovative technologies. An exhibition and networking programme created further opportunities for spinouts to connect with investors, meet potential collaborators and develop new partnerships.
The exhibition showcased a broad range of high-growth ventures emerging from Midlands universities, spanning artificial intelligence, digital technologies, health and life sciences, net zero innovation and advanced manufacturing. From AI-powered safety and accident analysis tools to breakthrough therapies, space biotechnology, circular economy solutions and next-generation manufacturing technologies, the exhibitors demonstrated the depth, diversity and commercial potential of the region’s innovation ecosystem. Their presence highlighted the strength of the Midlands’ research base and the growing pipeline of investment-ready opportunities being supported through the Forging Ahead partnership.
The showcase demonstrated the vital role university spinouts play in driving innovation-led economic growth, while reinforcing the value of a connected regional ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
ERA highlights regional energy ambitions
The region’s commercialisation strengths were also on display at the Midlands Spinout Showcase, hosted through the Forging Ahead programme.
Coming just a week after Midlands spinouts were presented to international investors at the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit, the showcase, hosted in Derby, brought together founders, investors, commercialisation specialists and innovation leaders to explore how collaboration can help ambitious ventures grow.
The event highlighted the collective strength of the Forging Ahead partnership, with its network of 16 universities working alongside expert technology transfer teams to accelerate spinout creation, unlock licensing opportunities and strengthen pathways from research discovery to market.
Founders shared their experiences of building companies from university research, discussing both the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling innovative technologies. An exhibition and networking programme created further opportunities for spinouts to connect with investors, meet potential collaborators and develop new partnerships.
The exhibition showcased a broad range of high-growth ventures emerging from Midlands universities, spanning artificial intelligence, digital technologies, health and life sciences, net zero innovation and advanced manufacturing. From AI-powered safety and accident analysis tools to breakthrough therapies, space biotechnology, circular economy solutions and next-generation manufacturing technologies, the exhibitors demonstrated the depth, diversity and commercial potential of the region’s innovation ecosystem. Their presence highlighted the strength of the Midlands’ research base and the growing pipeline of investment-ready opportunities being supported through the Forging Ahead partnership.
The showcase demonstrated the vital role university spinouts play in driving innovation-led economic growth, while reinforcing the value of a connected regional ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
A region powered by collaboration
Across health, energy and university commercialisation, East Midlands Tech Week highlighted the depth and diversity of innovation taking place across the region.
From MedTech pioneers and high-potential spinouts to energy innovators developing solutions for a more sustainable future, the week demonstrated how collaboration between universities, businesses, investors and public-sector partners is helping to translate research excellence into real-world impact.
As the East Midlands continues to strengthen its reputation as a centre for innovation, events such as East Midlands Tech Week provide an opportunity to showcase the region’s capabilities, build new connections and attract the investment needed to support future growth.
