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‘Transformative’ vision for city economy unveiled at Innovate Cambridge summit

12:25, 30 October 2024

The 10-year vision unveiled at the third annual Innovate Cambridge summit last week shared a transformative plan for the next stage of Cambridge’s innovation story via a significant enhancement of life sciences and technology activities within the hub.

The conference, which took place at the Guildhall, summarised the vision for the city’s economic bloc ahead of a full blueprint due in the next four weeks.

Professor Andy Neely, Professor of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, at the Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell
Professor Andy Neely, Professor of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, at the Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell

The strategy is to:

- Secure long-term funding to deliver on the Manchester/Cambridge partnership

- Shine a light on the tech sector and working with founders, investors, government and experts to co-deliver the strategy to support businesses and generate growth

- Create a groundswell of momentum around The Cambridge Pledge.

The Innovate Cambridge summit at the Guildhall Pictures: Keith Heppell
The Innovate Cambridge summit at the Guildhall                                                                                                                                             Pictures: Keith Heppell

Innovate Cambridge is now creating an Innovation Council to “accelerate what the ecosystem can achieve in terms of social, environmental and economic impact”.

The council will “bring in national and international perspectives in creating innovation ecosystems”.

Mayor Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Peter Freeman, chair, Cambridge Delivery Group, at the Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell
Mayor Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Peter Freeman, chair, Cambridge Delivery Group, at the Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell

Kathryn Chapman, executive director at Innovate Cambridge, said of the occasion: “We were thrilled to host over 400 attendees at the Innovate Cambridge summit at the Guildhall, where we announced an ambitious blueprint to unlock the region’s future potential.

“Our goal as a thriving ecosystem is to deliver what has been achieved over the last 25 years in the next decade.

“At the summit, we outlined a bold plan to cement Cambridge as a global leader in innovation, highlighted by our campaign to attract worldwide attention to our future growth.

The thirds Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell
The thirds Innovate Cambridge summit at Guildhall. Picture: Keith Heppell

“We also announced significant milestones, including progress on our partnership with Manchester to accelerate national economic impact, the launch of a dedicated innovation space at the Glasshouse for investors and founders, and the Cambridge Pledge – a charity designed to help local start-ups address inequality in our community.

“The energy and support from all attendees showed we’re all in this together to make this vision a reality.”

Professor Andy Neely, Professor of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner MP, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Councillor Mike Davey, Leader of the Council, Cambridge City Council, Mayor Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Peter Freeman, Chair, Cambridge Delivery Group, and Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge. Picture: Keith Heppell
Professor Andy Neely, Professor of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner MP, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Councillor Mike Davey, Leader of the Council, Cambridge City Council, Mayor Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Peter Freeman, Chair, Cambridge Delivery Group, and Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge. Picture: Keith Heppell

The next stage is to tell the story to widen the circle of stakeholders and investors.

“Our focus now is on working with partners to tell the Cambridge innovation story globally to attract capital and talent,” said Kathryn.

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