The UK today welcomes a new Scale-up Pathway to enable the scaling of sovereign innovation and manufacturing.
WestTech London and the West Midlands have joined forces to deepen the connection between the two leading regional innovation ecosystems. Convened by Imperial College London and the University of Warwick, the new Scale-up Pathway strengthens the UK's ability to commercialise its research, grow innovative companies, retain strategically important manufacturing and production capability, all of which will enhance UK global competitiveness.
The Pathway has been created to address one of the UK's biggest innovation challenges, as pioneering technologies and innovative businesses across energy and climatetech, defence and security, medtech and biotech move from discovery and R&D to commercial production and scale.
The new initiative will bring together deep tech innovation and commercialisation as well as broad industrial and advanced manufacturing capabilities. It will provide companies with the tools, expertise and capabilities they need at every stage of growth, including access to investment and highly skilled talent, specialist spaces, manufacturing facilities and supply chains. The Scale-Up Pathway will enhance collaboration between the two regions and support growth across the UK.
The Pathway is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Greater London Authority, together with Ealing Council, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.
In addition to Imperial College London and the University of Warwick, the two regions house other leading knowledge and research institutions, including the University of Birmingham, the University of West London, Brunel University, Aston University, Coventry University, Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton.
Commenting on behalf of WestTech London, Professor Hugh Brady, President at Imperial College London, said: "The UK already has all the ingredients needed to be a global science and technology powerhouse. The opportunity now is to connect these strengths more intentionally, recognising what different places do best and enabling businesses to access the expertise, infrastructure and investment they need as they grow. The Scale-up Pathway will connect our complementary ecosystems and in doing so, help more British innovations to scale here in the UK, supporting a new era of industrial growth and strengthening our competitiveness on the world stage."
WestTech London, established and anchored by Imperial College London with the support of key partners including Imperial College NHS Trust, is unlocking the potential of West London to deliver a thriving, globally competitive innovation ecosystem. WestTech London is home to 1,000 frontier innovation companies which generate more than £9 billion in annual turnover and employ over 20,000 people.
The West Midlands, the UK's core engine of advanced manufacturing, generates over £22 billion annually in manufacturing output and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. The region is actively transitioning into next-generation manufacturing, focusing on Electric Light Vehicles, battery technology and smart energy systems.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick, added: 'Universities have an important role to play as engines of inclusive economic growth. Here at Warwick, we have a long history of partnering with industry and businesses translating our research into real world impact through education, skills training and business support. The Scale-Up Pathway will build on these strengths. By working together, we can help even more businesses expand, resulting in greater growth across the UK and our region. This will further position the UK as a world-leading destination for innovation, investment and scale-up success".
The Scale-up Pathway announcement comes as the West Midlands prepares to unveil new plans surrounding 'reindustrialisation'. The region will bring together a number of existing and new initiatives linked to investment, innovation and business support, with the aim of strengthening Britain's productive capacity, accelerating industrial renewal and creating the industries, investment and high-value jobs of the future.
The Scale-up Pathway will be further enhanced by the arrival of HS2, creating an even stronger physical connection between the two ecosystems. Anchored by Old Oak in WestTech London and Birmingham and Arden Cross in the West Midlands, HS2 will become an 'innovation line' connecting major growth locations, supporting development and regeneration, and helping to power a UK-wide innovation economy.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said: "By connecting West London's research and technology expertise with the West Midlands' manufacturing strengths, this partnership will help innovative businesses access what they need to grow.
"London has close ties with regions across the country, including the West Midlands. By working together, we can support growth and create good jobs across both regions, helping to build a better, more prosperous London for everyone."
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: "For generations the West Midlands has been a powerhouse of innovation and technology, manufacturing the products that built Britain's economy. Today, that pioneering, tech-first mindset persists and is shared, alongside world-class universities and companies, with West London."
"This is the region where breakthroughs begin and this unique collaboration will attract even greater investment, create high-value jobs and retain more of the economic value generated by British innovation.
"With HS2 set to bring the West Midlands and West London within a few minutes of each other, this partnership shows how strategic infrastructure can amplify the strengths we share and unlock new opportunities for growth across the UK."
