As Midlands Innovation's 10th anniversary celebrations draw to a close, our university partners have reaffirmed their commitment to working together, signing a new collaboration agreement that will take the partnership forward for another five years.
It is a significant milestone for a partnership that began with a simple but ambitious idea: that ‘together we are stronger’.
Over the past decade, that ambition has evolved into one of the UK’s most established and influential university collaborations. Together, our partners have built a platform for research, innovation, skills development and investment that has delivered tangible benefits for the Midlands and beyond.
The numbers tell a powerful story
Over 10 years, Midlands Innovation has secured £97 million in research funding, supported 257 grants, attracted £127 million of co-investment, established 12 expert networks, delivered 10 successful major collaborative bids and welcomed more than 10,000 attendees to its events.
Alongside these headline achievements, the partnership has delivered nationally recognised programmes that have accelerated commercialisation and investment, led the nation in supporting technical and research professionals, advanced net zero innovation, and showcased the Midlands on the global stage, and strengthened our collective research culture.
From the Energy Research Accelerator, which has secured more than £180 million in project funding and achieved a 9:1 economic return, to the pioneering TALENT programme that transformed opportunities for technical professionals across UK higher education, Midlands Innovation has consistently demonstrated the value of collaboration at scale.
The partnership has also played a significant role in strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem. Following on from the success of MICRA, Forging Ahead and Midlands Mindforge are building stronger pathways from research to commercialisation, while the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign has elevated the region’s international profile and connected Midlands opportunities with global investors.
Most recently, that collaborative approach was showcased through the UK’s inaugural Global R&D and Science Investment Summit, delivered by Midlands Innovation, which brought together more than 2,000 delegates from 67 countries and demonstrated the power of presenting the UK’s research and innovation strengths through partnership and shared purpose.
As we reflect on our first decade, this moment is not simply about looking back
A new five-year agreement recognises that Midlands Innovation is entering a new phase of maturity. What began as a partnership focused on building connections has become a trusted platform for collective action, capable of securing major investment, influencing policy, supporting talent development and driving innovation-led growth.
The challenges facing universities, regions and the wider economy continue to evolve, yet the need for collaboration has never been stronger. By bringing together the strengths of its member universities, Midlands Innovation is able to deliver research and innovation initiatives at a scale that increases reach, deepens impact and creates opportunities that no single institution could achieve alone. Whether addressing national and global challenges, accelerating commercialisation, attracting investment or developing future talent, partnership working remains central to delivering impact.
The next five years will build on the strong foundations established over the last ten. Midlands Innovation will continue to strengthen the region’s research and innovation ecosystem, create new opportunities for collaboration and ensure that the Midlands remains at the forefront of research, discovery and innovation.
As one chapter closes, another begins
Our first decade has demonstrated what is possible when universities work together around a shared ambition. The agreement through to 2031 provides the confidence, stability and momentum to take that ambition even further.
The future of Midlands Innovation will be built on the same principle that has guided the partnership from the beginning: ’together we are stronger’.
