The Productivity Institute has today launched a report focused on Research & Development (R&D) and innovation in the Midlands.
The report, called R&D and Innovation: Driving Regional Productivity Through Research and Innovation, highlights that despite the region being “home to a variety of R&D clusters, manufacturing sectors, and academic institutions” it “continues to grapple with significant challenges in receiving necessary R&D funding, reflected in persistent regional inequalities.”
The report outlines “the root causes of the Midlands’ productivity gap” and provides a series of policy recommendations “to foster a more dynamic and integrated R&D ecosystem.”
In the report it highlights Midlands Mindforge as an exemplar of best practice and includes a contribution from Midlands Innovation Director, Dr Helen Turner.
Commenting on the report, Dr Turner, said: “We welcome The Productivity Institute publishing their report on Driving Regional Productivity Through Research and Innovation. It highlights the lack of public R&D investment in the Midlands, and provides policy recommendations to drive up productivity.
“As I state in the report, we have phenomenal technology in the Midlands with the potential for global impact— what’s holding us back is capital.”
“The report shines a spotlight on Midlands Mindforge, an investment company established by Midlands Innovation partners to combine research power, commercialisation expertise and provide a barometer for the largely untapped venture capital opportunities in the region.”
