New Cambridge-Manchester partnership to boost regional growth

The partnership, led by the universities of Cambridge and Manchester, will pool knowledge to support start-ups and scale-ups to deliver jobs and opportunities.

The Cambridge x Manchester Innovation Partnership will create a cross-UK innovation network.

It will pilot new approaches to drive growth in a range of different sectors championed by the universities, from discovering new medicine to improving the resilience of UK infrastructure.

Improving lives and livelihoods

The partnership not only shines a spotlight on what Cambridge and Manchester can achieve independently for the UK’s economic growth, but also how they can improve the lives and livelihoods of people in their regions.

The partnership pioneers a new approach of place-to-place collaboration to create a set of high-performing innovation ecosystems.

It could pave the way for similar partnerships across England, capitalising on successful clusters around the nation.

Led by the University of Cambridge and The University of Manchester, the partnership is supported by:

  • two mayoral combined authorities
  • city councils
  • businesses
  • investors

Strengthening innovation ecosystems

The partnership will deliver the following objectives.

Ecosystem activation and integration

It aims to strengthen relations within and between the innovation ecosystems of the two cities to create:

  • a vibrant and ambitious cross-city innovation network
  • a progressive new approach to place-based growth

Growing investment

It aims to harness the combined strengths of both universities and partner cities to:

  • support start-ups and scale-ups to secure funding and grow
  • attract innovation-intensive foreign direct investment to the UK
  • stimulate investment into research and development

Testing and learning

It aims to pilot new approaches and sharing best practice for delivering ecosystem collaboration and inclusive growth, providing insights to:

  • other cities
  • the wider higher education sector community
  • local and national governments in the UK and internationally

Collaborative efforts

Research England is providing £4,791,119 over three years to fund this initiative.

The partnership includes higher education providers and partners.

Higher education providers included are:

  • University of Cambridge
  • The University of Manchester

Partners included are:

  • Innovate Cambridge
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
  • Manchester City Council
  • Cambridge City Council

This initiative responds directly to the UK government’s imperative for universities to support the delivery of the national industrial strategy and make a stronger contribution to economic growth.

Stronger when we work together

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge growth champion, Lord Vallance, said:

This pioneering partnership is proof that our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor can and will fire up economic growth across the length and breadth of the UK, which is critical to our Plan for Change.

Cambridgeshire and Greater Manchester are forging a path I hope others will follow.

Science is always stronger when we work together, and stronger research ties between the UK’s great regions will only lead to more investment, more opportunities, and more breakthroughs, from health to clean energy and beyond.

Creating a model for place-based innovation

Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, commented:

This investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across England.

By connecting the vibrant ecosystems of Cambridge and Manchester, we aim to drive significant economic growth and create a model for place-based innovation that can be replicated nationwide.

Delivering real benefits across the UK

Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice Chancellor, commented:

This pioneering initiative brings together the combined strengths of Cambridge and Manchester to create something that is truly ground-breaking.

By connecting our cities, we’re helping to build a more collaborative and dynamic environment in which innovative research can connect with industry, venture capital and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and deliver real benefits for people and places across the UK.

Driving inclusive growth

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester:

Our partnership with Cambridge marks a new model of collaboration between UK universities.

It brings together the distinctive strengths of each of our universities and cities, connecting two of the great innovation ecosystems to scale up what we can achieve.

This new approach to innovation accelerates the time between discovery and impact, getting ideas into the real economy and our communities even more quickly to drive inclusive growth.

The funding is being provided by the Research England Development Fund.

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