Liverpool City Region has hosted its fifth Innovation Investment Summit with leading voices from government, business, academia and finance underlining the region’s position at the forefront of UK and European place-based innovation.

Taking place at The Spine in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter today, the 2026 Summit opened in the wake of a major double boost for innovation in the city region.

Just this week Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced in Liverpool that control of Local Innovation Partnership funding (LIPF) will be devolved to select places and Mayors like Steve Rotheram after the next Spending Review, so they can determine locally how and where best to target public R&D investment.

And as this news broke, UKRI and the City Region Combined Authority announced that two ground-breaking science projects at the University of Liverpool are set to receive £23.7m, including the establishment of the world’s first AI centre of excellence to revolutionise chemical materials research. These are also the first LIPF projects in the country to be unveiled.

Fresh from recently being named one of Europe’s Innovation Capitals, the Summit underlined the region’s UK-leading, place-based innovation approach and spotlighted its bold target to invest 5% of GVA in Research and Development by 2030.

The 2026 Summit also highlighted why innovation is the golden thread running through the recently launched 10-year Local Growth Plan for the City Region which has identified the steps required to add upwards of £10bn GVA to the LCR economy.

Attended by more than 200 delegates, this was the keynote event in the city region’s annual Innovation and Investment Fortnight, with 29 events showcasing £1billion live innovation programmes and a £2billion pipeline of opportunities across distinctive world-leading capabilities.

The event brought together leading figures from across the UK’s innovation ecosystem, beginning with Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, who set out the region’s ambitious innovation-led growth plan and its role within the UK’s new industrial strategy.

Delegates also heard from Dean Cook, Director of Business Growth and Global at Innovate UK, who provided insight into the new Innovate UK prospectus and how it is supporting high-potential, innovative businesses to scale and succeed.

A panel discussion on the UK innovation investment landscape followed, chaired by Karim Palant of UK Private Capital, featuring leading investors including Andy Naylor of Northern Gritstone and Christian Pollard of BGF, who explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the market.

Dr Jon Hague OBE, Homecare R&D Head of Bright Future Science & Technology at Unilever, plus Chair of the LCR Innovation Board, highlighted the power of place-based innovation in driving inclusive growth and delivering real-world impact, using the example of Unilever’s 100+ year partnership with the University of Liverpool.

The programme also showcased Opportunity Squared – the landmark partnership between the Liverpool City Region and Oxford – and how collaboration between leading universities and wider ecosystems can unlock new investment, research and commercial opportunities.

A further panel session continued the discussion, bringing together expert voices to explore how the UK can build a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem.

Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:

“The Liverpool City Region has always been a place that turns big ideas into real-world impact. Whether it’s pioneering work in life sciences, materials chemistry, advanced manufacturing or AI, we’ve got the talent, the institutions and the ambition to compete with the very best.

“Being recognised as one of Europe’s Innovation Capitals shows just how far we’ve come, but we’re not interested in standing still. We’re aiming to invest 5% of our economy in research and development by 2030 because we know innovation will be one of the biggest drivers of future growth, jobs and investment.

“The opportunities in front of us are enormous. With new powers, world-class research and strong partnerships across business, academia and government, we’re building an innovation ecosystem that can attract investment from around the world.”

Dr Jon Hague, Chair of the LCR Innovation Board and Unilever R&D leader, said:

“Liverpool City Region shows what can be achieved when industry, world-class science, strong institutions and long-term partnership come together in one place.

“For Unilever, this is not just a story about regional success, it shows how place-based innovation can create national value, attract investment and turn ideas into real-world impact.

“That strength of partnership and ambition gives businesses like ours the confidence to keep investing here.”