Catapult Network welcomes Government’s Innovation Strategy and ambition to cement UK position as a world-leader in science, research and innovation

The Catapult Network Chair and CEO of Digital Catapult, Dr Jeremy Silver commented:

“It is good to see this strategy published today with the Government’s ambition to cement the UK’s position as a world leader in innovation. The commitment to increasing annual public investment will help supercharge innovation and provide the confidence and boost to stimulate greater private sector investment.

As key delivery partners, the Catapult Network is well positioned to play an essential role in providing critical national capability and enabling infrastructure to drive advances across key UK sectors. The nature of Catapults is that they are focussed every day on developing new markets and increasing the attractiveness of the UK innovation ecosystem. In pursuit of a cross technology, multidisciplinary approach, the Catapults will continue to nurture strong collaborations with the research community, industry, Government and early-stage, high-growth, innovator companies to help solve major challenges.

The Network looks forward to working closely with colleagues across Government, UKRI, and Innovate UK to drive the Innovation Strategy forward.”

 Professor Chris Molloy, CEO Medicines Discovery Catapult added
“Innovation is the successful application of new tools and techniques. The UK leads the world in innovation when it shares a national purpose and resources.

This strategy sets out that purpose and the players who will resource and deliver it. The Catapults have been critical to the national pandemic response and are recognised innovation engines for every strategic sector of our future economy”.

The Innovation Strategy sets out four key areas that underpin the Government’s vision to put innovation at the heart of building back better. These are:

• Unleashing Business – fuelling businesses who want to innovate by ensuring effective access to private and public investment.
• People – creating the most exciting place for talented innovators.
• Institutions and Places – ensuring R&D institutions serve the needs of businesses and promoting innovation in places across the UK.
• Missions and Technologies – stimulate innovation in technology and missions that will provide the UK with a strategic advantage and will be critical to tackling some of our greatest challenges.

Click here for the full Government announcement and here for the full strategy document.