15 Feb 2024

DSIT releases Innovation Clusters Map

The UK research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem is made up of clusters. These are groups of firms, research capabilities, skills, and related industries that benefit from being based in the same location.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s newly published Innovation Clusters Map presents the most comprehensive picture to date of firm-level innovation activity across the UK. It allows users to explore the geography, distribution and strengths of clusters.

Used in combination with local intelligence and engagement, it will help investors, policymakers and others to better understand, engage with and invest in the UK’s ecosystem.

You can find the Innovation Clusters Map online here.


Government's approach to clusters

The map will play a vital role in supporting the 3 goals for clusters set out by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan MP. 

These are:

  • Increase private investment in innovation clusters significantly, building on substantial public investment, and anchored in clusters’ unique strengths.
  • Ensure clusters can expertly communicate their investible propositions to investors and have access to the right support to take these to fruition.
  • Ensure people across the UK benefit from the innovation-led economy, by creating high-skilled jobs and prosperity across its innovation clusters.

What's next for clusters?

This release marks another step towards this Government's vision for world-class and globally leading clusters of innovation to exist across the UK as nexuses of opportunity and growth. Achieving this will require co-ordinated action across the public and private sector. 

We are also pleased to see other publications released in the past days, including the STFC’s Cluster Strategy and NP11’s Innovation Clusters in the North of England. These build on similar releases across other regions and sectors, and we look forward to more to come.


If you have any further feedback DSIT have set up a dedicated mailbox at: [email protected]. 


techUK's clusters activity 

How to build a world leading semiconductor cluster: Lessons from Wales

Join us on March 4th at 14:00 to hear from Ruth Jones MP, and leading industry experts how Welsh Compound Semiconductors will be a bedrock for future innovation.

Attendees will gain world class insights from those pioneering this sector, like CSA Catapult, Csconnected, MicroLink Devices UK, Microchip Technology, and IQE.

Register for your free ticket here.


Event round-up - Lessons from Yorkshire: How Space Clusters are supporting the UK to become a tech superpower

This webinar, run in collaboration with Space Hub Yorkshire, explored how industry can best leverage the UK's Space Cluster network.

You can watch all presentations, plus the Q&A segment, here.


techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation 

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The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.

techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.

For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’. 


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Learn more about our Unleashing Innovation campaign:

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Sprint Campaigns

techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.

Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).

Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK. 

New Space

This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.

These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.

Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.

Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.


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Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Gaming & Esports

This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.

These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).

Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).

Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.


Report


Event round-ups


Insights


Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Web3 & Immersive technologies

Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.

These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.

Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.

Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.


Event round-ups


Guest insights


Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Campaign Weeks

Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.

Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.


Summits

Tech and Innovation Summit 2023

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Tech and Innovation Summit 2024

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