Business Innovation
Businesses thinking and working innovatively help keep the
Northwest globally
competitive.
Scientific developments and leading-edge technologies help
companies improve efficiency, streamline production, develop new
markets and increase exports. The NWDA supports these advancements
through the Northwest Science Council and by improving science
infrastructure and incubation facilities.
Northwest Science Council
The Northwest Science Council is a private sector-led
partnership of business, academic and economic development
organisations working towards a common vision for science
development in the region. It promotes the Northwest as a
world-class region for science, attracting investment and talent
and driving innovation.
Science Infrastructure & Incubation
The Agency’s vision is that the Northwest will be a hub for the
world’s leading science development companies. We are involved in
investing in the infrastructure required to support this
vision.
Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus
The Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus has been named by
the Government as one of two strategic science sites in the UK. The
NWDA has invested over £50 million to develop the Campus and will
continue to fund the site.
The Campus currently houses the Science and Technology
Facilities Council’s Daresbury Laboratory, the Daresbury Innovation
Centre, which is home to over 80 high-growth SMEs, and The
Cockcroft Institute, a national centre for accelerator science and
technology. A new "grow-on" facility is under construction.
Manchester Science Park
Manchester Science Park supports the growth of innovative
companies across industries such as biotechnology and ICT.
Liverpool Science Park
The Liverpool Science Park, in the heart of the city’s Knowledge
Quarter, offers high-spec, lab-compatible office space for
companies in the knowledge and high-tech industries.
Westlakes Science Park
Westlakes Science Park in Cumbria is an important knowledge
centre for the nuclear, healthcare informatics and environmental
sciences sectors.
Each of these science parks provide incubation and grow on
facilities for young, high growth companies. The NWDA also funds a
number of other incubation projects, which are designed to support
and grow new and small businesses working in the fields of
knowledge, science and innovation.
These include The University of Manchester Incubator Company,
which offers state-of-the-art biotechnology and hi-tech incubation
space through its Core Technology Facility, and InfoLab21, which is
a centre of excellence for research in information and
communication technologies at Lancaster University.
Innovation Research
The NWDA commissions research in specific innovative areas, to
support the region's growth in specialist areas. One such
specialist area is photonics.
Innovation Support
The Northwest Science Council oversees the Northwest Science
Fund, which supports the region’s science and innovation agenda. It
targets theoretical R&D – an area which traditionally has found
it difficult to attract funding. The areas it supports include a
number of knowledge-based key sectors, including aerospace, nuclear
and chemicals. Find out more about our Northwest Science
Strategy.
Small Business Research Initiative
The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) is an open
competition to bring innovative solutions to specific public sector
needs. Competitions for new technologies and ideas are run in
specific areas and aim to engage a broad range of companies in
short-term development contracts.
SBRI creates opportunities for businesses to engage with a public
sector department need and to prove their technology or idea.
Successful companies will receive a contract for the full cost of
demonstrating the feasibility of their technology, leading to
subsequent prototype development. This provides a route to market
and establishes credibility for further investment. It is
particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and
early stage companies.
SBRI is run by the Technology Strategy Board. To find out
more about what the initiative involves and details of recently
launched competitions
visit their website.