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The Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign is a new £3m international campaign to attract inward investment into R&D, innovation and science – leveraging their global connections to drive economic growth across their region.
Supported by £1.5m from the Government’s International Science Partnership Fund, the campaign is led by Midlands Innovation (a collaboration between 8 research intensive universities across the region) and the Midlands Engine Partnership, and hosted at Loughborough University. It has been developed with a range of regional partners including the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Enterprise Universities and the East Midlands Freeport.
The campaign will see universities across the Midlands joining forces to create a more ambitious offer to global investors. It will showcase five sectors where the Midlands is world-renowned for the strength of its research and innovation. They will also leverage their international alumni, industry and university connections in six markets (Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) to engage investors and raise the profile of the Midlands.
As an international MedTech conference, MEDICA presents the opportunity to engage all of these markets (and more) while focusing on one of the region’s 5 key sectors (Health and Life Sciences).
With >5,300 exhibitors from ~70 countries and 83,000 visitors MEDICA in Düsseldorf is one of the largest medical B2B trade fairs in the world
The extensive programme of forums, conferences and shows provides opportunities for interesting presentations and discussions with experts and politicians, and also includes pitches of new products
A wide range of innovative products and services from the fields of medical imaging, laboratory technology, diagnostics, health IT, mobile health as well as physiotherapy/orthopaedic technology and medical consumables are presented.
There are five spheres (themes) for MEDICA: Med tech and devices; Digital Health; Lab & Diagnostics; Physiotech; Disposables
The MEDICA conference ran from 11th-14th November 2024. A delegation from the Midlands attended, made up of Midlands Innovation and Midlands Enterprise Universities partners, spinouts and research-active businesses.
The Midlands delegation focused its activity on the first two days (11th and 12th). Both UK and international stakeholder participated in a programme to meet colleagues from across the Midlands and hear more about the latest regional investment opportunities.
The mission was kindly supported by colleagues from the UK Department for Business & Trade and Medilink UK.
The Campaign provided an exclusive opportunity for attendees to hear from and network with the Midlands delegation on the first day of the conference. Located in the Seminar area of the UK Pavilion, the opening address for the Showcase was given by Mark Oakes – Head of Life Sciences at UK Department for Business & Trade – outlining the opportunities available from the UK Health and Life Science sector.
Following an overview of the Campaign by Health-lead Alex Archibald, our representatives presents investment, co-location and co-funded research opportunities to an audience of international investors, innovative businesses and representatives from the 6 Campaign markets (and more):
Anil Vaidya from West Midlands Growth Company also presented, and Professor Livia Rocha Dos Santos from Nottingham Trent University joined the delegation for the follow on discussion.
Attended by over 200 businesses and investors, the Medilink UK-organised UK Pavilion Networking Reception was a highly successful opportunity for our delegates to engage with a wide audience, this included Professor Liam Grover providing an opening address.
Thank you again to everyone who was able to attend, came and spoke to the delegation at the event, and have engaged since. It was fantastic to meet you and we look forward to working with you in the future
Are you working in the health space and are an active part of the Midlands research and development community? If you are looking to engage in the Campaign's target markets, we want to hear from you!
