The Local Innovation Partnership Fund is a £500m fund trailed in the Industrial Strategy and with initial guidance now published by UKRI. The fund will be allocated as £30m to each of the Mayoral Combined Authorities in England and the Devolved Administrations. The remainder of England can bid for up to £20m for their projects, and as a result, we might expect six or so additional successful projects.
This is an excellent opportunity to further develop ‘triple-helix’ type sector initiatives in different locations and broadly builds on the Strength In Places Fund that was previously operated.
UKRI is, however, looking to fund projects which already have the foundations of a ‘triple helix’ approach in place, and it is therefore worth reflecting on what these foundations are likely to include.
The so-called ‘triple helix’ is a phrase that describes the role of government, higher education, and business in driving innovation within a specific sector and location. The geographical area and sector depend on a reasonably precise definition, which can be demonstrated by those involved and their interactions. If the suggested geography or identified sector is not recognised by the key businesses involved, then the initiative is likely to fail from the start.
Within a successful ‘triple helix’, multiple businesses are likely to be engaged in similar activities, and some elements of the supply chain are likely to be involved. The companies probably focus on research and development in growth areas of their sector and invest in skills. It is expected that some collaboration will take place, and a broader support infrastructure of finance, training, marketing, and technical support may also be available.
Alongside the business activity, research organisations such as Higher Education Institutes (HEI) are likely to be undertaking some linked activities – it may have been the work of the HEI that kicked off the industry in the first place, or the HEIs may have reacted to demand for skills and research. In all likelihood, this will involve applied research rather than blue sky activities. The research establishments will be important in improving skills, driving new ideas, creating spin-outs and in some cases incubating and supporting future business.
Arguably, business and HEI could collaborate and drive economic growth on their own. However, when government at local or regional levels creates supportive policies in physical planning, promotes the sector for investment, and highlights employment opportunities, growth can be accelerated.
It is the acceleration of opportunity that UKRI is seeking to harness and where collaboration between companies, research institutions and government can collaborate, find space for creative collisions and drive outcomes that could not have been envisaged by one party alone. This is however not just about the creation of physical space. It is the mindset, the shared aims, the contractual structures, the support for new entrants and the creation of new skills which are at least as important as the space in which it takes place.
Mickledore has been involved in developing, evaluating and assessing many different types of collaborative research approaches and for more information contact Nigel Wilcock at nwilcock@regionaldevelopment.co.uk