Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, and Dean Cook, Director of Business Growth and Global at Innovate UK, visited the Midlands to see first-hand the region’s universities world-leading research, meet with some of the most exciting spinouts in the Midlands and to hear about the ambitions to scale the commercialisation pipeline in the region.
The visit, hosted by Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham on behalf of Midlands Innovation, showcased the scale, ambition and real-world impact of research and innovation taking place across the partnership’s eight research-intensive universities. It also provided an opportunity to discuss how universities, industry, combined authorities and Innovate UK can work together to support innovation-led growth and deliver the ambitions of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
Throughout the day, Tom Adeyoola and Dean Cook met researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and combined authorities who are helping to position the Midlands as one of the UK’s most powerful innovation ecosystems.
The visit began at the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT) at Loughborough University, one of the UK’s leading facilities for low-emission gas turbine research and development. The centre brings together industry, researchers and students to develop the next generation of sustainable technologies, while also supporting the work of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre.
A key part of the programme was an Industrial Strategy Spinout Showcase, where Innovate UK leaders met some of the Midlands’ most exciting university spinout companies. Representing sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to health technology, energy storage and environmental monitoring, the companies demonstrated the strength of the region’s innovation pipeline and its ability to translate research excellence into commercial success.
Among those taking part were TransHumanity, a Loughborough University spinout developing trusted AI systems for high-stakes decision-making, and MatAlytics, a University of Nottingham spinout applying physics-based artificial intelligence to improve the performance and lifespan of industrial assets. Innovate UK leaders also met with representatives from 4D Medicine, a University of Birmingham spinout that unites world-class scientists, 3D printing experts, and medical device veterans to create best-in-class medical devices that enhance surgery and improve patient outcomes globally. Also participating were Cranfield University Spinout, Pazul, which has developed a real-time phosphate sensor that removes the need for lab-based testing in wastewater treatment, ENV Energy which is scaling-up high-performance cathode materials that improve the range, lifetime, and safety of Li-ion batteries. It is the first-ever spin-out from WMG (Warick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, and spinning out of Aston University, Scalable Laser Ltd who are developing a flat-panel laser that scales in two dimensions to megawatt-level output with high-quality beam, which will be mass-producible and cost fare less than existing lasers.
The visit also provided an opportunity to highlight two major Midlands Innovation initiatives designed to increase the number and success of research-led businesses emerging from the region:
- Midlands Mindforge, the patient-capital investment company investing in high-potential deep-tech, advanced manufacturing and life sciences businesses. Innovate leaders met Lisa Smith, CEO of Midlands Mindforge, to hear about the fund’s first investments.
- Forging Ahead, bringing together 16 Midlands universities. Forging Ahead is strengthening entrepreneurial support, commercialisation activity and technology transfer across the region. Led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation, the programme will help more academic entrepreneurs to start, scale and remain in the Midlands, creating a stronger and more connected commercialisation ecosystem.
At the University of Nottingham, the delegation toured Omnifactory, a national testbed for next-generation smart manufacturing systems. The facility enables businesses to test and scale advanced manufacturing technologies, helping bridge the gap between research, industrial adoption and commercial growth. Innovate UK leaders heard how Omnifactory is supporting companies across sectors including aerospace, healthcare, energy and consumer goods, while also creating new pathways for start-ups and scale-ups.
The visit concluded with a showcase of the Midlands’ internationally recognised strengths in quantum sensing and metrology, including a tour of Cerca Magnetics, one of the region’s most successful deep-tech spinouts. Discussions highlighted the Midlands’ leadership in quantum technologies, including work undertaken through the UK Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT), led by the University of Birmingham.
Dr Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Tom Adeyoola and Dean Cook to the East Midlands. The visit demonstrated how the Midlands is combining world-class research, entrepreneurial talent, collaborative university partnerships and access to investment to create the next generation of high-growth potential businesses.
“From advanced manufacturing and clean energy to AI, quantum technologies and life sciences, the region is building an innovation ecosystem capable of delivering economic growth for both the Midlands and the UK.
