LJMU hosts city region innovation summit

LJMU welcomed hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers to a summit to conclude the Liverpool City Region’s first ever Innovation Investment Week.

A series of events took place over four days across the city region to showcase innovation and investment opportunities.

Experts from a range of sectors across the UK and globally visited LJMU’s Student Life Building for a day-long Innovation Investment Summit, with discussions about stimulating growth, encouraging innovation and building global life sciences.

The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) Professor Keith George, who took part in a panel discussion around adding value from university spinouts.

LJMU sharing research and expertise

Professor George said: “We are delighted to support the city region’s first Innovation Investment Week and host the Innovation Investment Summit.

“LJMU is a key anchor institution in the city region and we work closely with our partners to share our research and expertise to innovate and develop new practices to benefit our society.”

Meanwhile, academics and postgraduate students from across LJMU took part in the Pint of Science festival. 

The worldwide science event brought researchers to local cafes, pubs and venues across the city region to share scientific discoveries.

Other activities during the week included the launch of the city region’s new Life Sciences Investment Zone, a Dragons’ Den style pitching event, a pharma industry conference and the unveiling of a new primary school book to inspire six to eight-year-olds into science and innovation.

"A hotbed of innovation and new technology"

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “We are already home to world-leading clusters in life sciences, gaming, advanced computing and infectious disease control – but I am never content with resting on our laurels.

“I truly believe that innovation will be the fuel that powers our economy forward and by establishing ourselves as a hotbed of innovation and new technology, we will be ready to attract many more highly skilled, well-paid jobs, businesses and opportunities from around the world.”

Pictured above: Professor Mark Power in conversation with Professor Tim Jones (University of Liverpool) and Marion Bernard (Chief Investment Officer, Northern Gritstone).