The Midlands Innovation Ecosystem

Developing a thriving regional economy demands a shared vision and effective collaboration. Midlands Innovation initiatives, including Forging Ahead, Midlands Mindforge, and the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign, are helping to mature the region’s innovation ecosystem and stimulate investment. These collective efforts are catalysing fresh partnerships, strengthening commercialisation pathways, and positioning the Midlands as a dynamic hub for research-driven growth.

The Midlands is a powerhouse of economic and industrial strength, with a regional economy worth £352 billion, making it the second largest in the UK—larger than the devolved nations combined. Home to 11 million people, with 31% under the age of 25, the region is primed to play a pivotal role in delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

The Midlands boasts 54 science and tech campuses (excluding private research sites), with ambitious plans for 4,600 hectares of R&D-focused site development. With 90% of the UK population within a four-hour drive, the region offers unmatched connectivity and is ideally positioned as a central hub for innovation-led growth.

Supporting this potential are 20 universities with cutting-edge facilities, deep research expertise, and strong collaborative networks, with strengths spanning key sectors including:

• Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
• Automotive and Transport
• Clean Energy and CleanTech
• Health and Life Sciences
• Creative and Digital Industries

With a proven track record in commercialising research and nurturing entrepreneurial talent, Midlands universities are driving the next wave of UK innovation.

• Research Excellence: Midlands universities employ 14.5% of the UK’s academic workforce and secured £1.6 billion in research funding in 2023/24—a 13% year-on-year increase.
• Spinout Success: Around 15 spinouts are created annually, generating £609 million in Gross Value Add, attracting £312 million in investment, and securing £61.5 million in Innovate UK funding.
• Global Reach: 64% of Midlands spinouts maintain a regional presence, while many scale nationally and internationally—highlighting the region’s role as a national exporter of innovation.
• Collaborative Strength: 14% of spinouts since 2010 have emerged from multi-university partnerships, showcasing the power of regional collaboration.
• Innovation Infrastructure: The Midlands hosts 35 science and innovation parks—22 linked to universities and 13 focused on technology sectors. These parks are home to 1,550 businesses, employing 60,000 people and generating £18 billion in turnover annually.
• Entrepreneurial Impact: Alumni from Midlands universities have founded over 7,000 innovation-rich startups and scale-ups, including 57 unicorns and 75 future unicorns, collectively valued at over $387 billion and employing nearly 290,000 people globally.