Strong local innovation economies are essential for regional growth, productivity, and equitable economic opportunities.

We tackle the barriers holding regions back including:

  • Limited access to funding for SMEs and regional projects.
  • Complex regulatory environments that hinder innovation.
  • Public sector procurement practices that are not innovation-friendly.

Our focus areas

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Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)

We help public authorities adopt innovation-friendly procurement practices, unlocking demand for new solutions and driving regional R&D activity.

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UK Innovation Districts Group (UKIDG)

We work with leading innovation districts where businesses, universities, and communities collaborate to tackle society’s biggest challenges, from net zero interventions to AI applications. Our goal is to ensure place-based innovation drives inclusive urban growth.

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3Ci: Cities Commission for Climate Investment

We support local authorities in securing long-term finance for achieving net zero, unlocking £200bn+ in investment opportunities across UK cities.

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Freeport Innovation Network

We support UK Freeports in delivering their innovation objectives, ensuring long-term legacy impact for businesses and communities.

Project

Public Realm Innovation Initiative

Supporting innovation in public spaces—helping to create places that are more inclusive, sustainable, and commercially successful.
Project

DIATOMIC

DIATOMIC (Digital InnovAtion TransfOrMatIve Change) is designed to accelerate place-based innovation in the West Midlands, harnessing the region’s existing international relationships through a series of targeted initiatives.
Project

Clean Futures

Clean Futures is supporting the West Midlands’ transport sector as it transitions from fossil fuels to clean technologies. The programme is also driving regional economic growth by accelerating the route to market for SMEs in the sector.

Related News

News

New funding for green transport innovators in the West Midlands

Up to £50k and expert support is available to businesses in the region with solutions to make transport greener.
A logistics hub featuring trucks, shipping containers, a cargo ship, and an airplane in flight during sunset serves as the perfect backdrop for the TRIG 2022 event.
News

£1.8m to back cutting-edge transport innovations

Grants of up to £45k are available to businesses and academics with ideas to solve some of the transport sector’s most pressing challenges.
News

Erika Lewis joins AIRTO Board

Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive Officer has been appointed to the AIRTO Board.
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