The Catapult Network launched today the 2019-2020 Annual Report – Creating the future through innovation: Recovery and Resilience.
As an economic emergency grips a nation reeling from a health crisis, our society is concerned with how the UK emerges from the pandemic with a strong economy, one that continues to enable opportunities for business growth, create job security and improve our quality of life.
The Catapult Network’s latest report puts recovery and resilience at the heart of its strategy, highlighting its significant role in support of a prosperous UK and one that is demonstrating a track record for enabling businesses to unlock their full potential, innovate and grow.
As the Catapults continue to assist thousands of UK businesses in key industry sectors, their collective ambition also aims to address key national and global challenges. Examples within the report highlight initiatives and programmes that will close regional inequality gaps, develop green technologies to help transition the UK towards net zero emissions and accelerate innovations in health. These activities are helping to create new jobs, develop supply chains to strengthen traditional markets, and grow new ones; enabling businesses to capitalise on relevant opportunities and continue to attract investment.
This year, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Catapults stepped up their communication with business, rallying their expertise and resources to help them weather the economic storm and guiding them to support available from Government. Catapults played a critical role supporting NHS workers, coordinating national efforts to provide vital medical equipment, mobilising a large scale COVID-19 testing programme and are working to scale up manufacturing solutions for vaccines.
Since 2013, the Catapults have collectively supported over 8,000 innovative SMEs across a wide range of sectors, such as manufacturing, space, health, digital, energy, telecoms, transport, the urban environment and many others.
The Catapults cutting-edge R&D infrastructure, partnership building and specialist knowledge, help businesses accelerate the development, deployment and adoption of new technologies. The combined capabilities of the Catapult Network across multiple sectors put them in a unique position to boost the UK’s journey towards a thriving and stable economy.
Andrew Jamieson, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult CEO and Chair of The Catapult Network said:
“In these challenging economic times the need for innovation does not stand still, it becomes even more important to try new ideas and explore opportunities. Across the Catapult Network, we continuously work to create ambitious approaches to stimulate business growth. Ultimately, our collective aim is to ensure UK businesses are centre stage in global technological innovation, adoption and talent creation, ensuring the benefits are realised throughout society.”
Dame Ottoline Leyser, UK Research and Innovation CEO said:
“The Catapult Network’s deep industry sector knowledge and trust amongst their business networks are vital enablers in the delivery of the Government’s R&D roadmap. The Network can play a central role in accelerating and capturing the value of UK innovation to build a greener, healthier and better-connected world.”
Dr Ian Campbell Innovate UK Interim Executive Chair said:
“As innovation continues to evolve, more businesses will benefit from the Catapults combined knowledge of multiple industry sectors, their unique convening power and cross-sector collaboration in bringing thought-leaders together with businesses to drive their sectors forward.”
