Midlands Innovation
Midlands Innovation is an unincorporated UK partnership of eight research-intensive universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, Warwick) founded in 2015, coordinating collaborative research, shared infrastructure including the Sulis HPC facility and Equipment Database, and commercialisation via the £16m Forging Ahead programme and £30m Midlands Mindforge patient-capital fund.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNottingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Midlands Innovation does
Midlands Innovation is an unincorporated strategic research partnership, established in 2015, that convenes eight research-intensive universities in the UK Midlands - Aston University, University of Birmingham, Cranfield University, Keele University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, and University of Warwick. Operating with a small central team of 8 employees registered through the University of Nottingham, the partnership coordinates collaborative research across energy, health, space, inclusive transformation, and research infrastructure, while convening policymakers, NHS Trusts, local authorities, charities, and industry partners to address regional economic and social challenges.
The partnership operates a portfolio of interconnected platforms and networks. Core infrastructure includes the Sulis Tier-2 HPC facility at the University of Warwick (the first UK system dedicated to ensemble computing workflows), the Equipment Database providing free access to 1,000+ items of research equipment via the EPSRC-funded Jisc platform, and thematic networks spanning Flow Cytometry, Electron Microscopy, Midlands Open Bioimaging (supported by a £1m BBSRC grant), and the Midlands Biophysical Network. Sub-brands include Midlands Innovation Health, the Energy Research Accelerator, the Midlands Innovation Space Group, MI TALENT for technicians, and AI.RDN+ for AI researcher development. The Midlands Ecosystem Platform (Dealroom) provides free open-access mapping of nearly 6,500 startups, 350+ spinouts, and 74 science parks.
Midlands Innovation is funded through Research England Policy Support allocations, project grants (notably the £16m Forging Ahead commercialisation programme), and government funding including the DSIT-backed Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign. No commercial pricing applies to partnership activities; events, training, and platforms are provided free. Midlands Mindforge, an associated patient-capital investment company established by the eight universities, deploys an initial £30m into deep tech and life sciences spinouts, backed by the Mayors of East and West Midlands, UKRI, Rigby Group, and DSIT. The partnership celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2025 and continues to expand via initiatives including founding membership of the Defence Universities Alliance and the inaugural UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit.
Midlands Innovation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Midlands Innovation
- Legal name
- Midlands Innovation
- Website
- https://midlandsinnovation.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Midlands Innovation is an unincorporated UK partnership of eight research-intensive universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, Warwick) founded in 2015, coordinating collaborative research, shared infrastructure including the Sulis HPC facility and Equipment Database, and commercialisation via the £16m Forging Ahead programme and £30m Midlands Mindforge patient-capital fund.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Midlands Innovation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- University Research Partnership
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Space Research and Technology (92711)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Flagship Public Research Universities (R1/R2) (EDAHAAAA), Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)
Keywords
Where Midlands Innovation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nottingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Midlands Innovation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Research England Policy Support Fund: Midlands Innovation receives annual funding from each partner's Research England Policy Support Fund allocation to undertake collaborative research projects including seed corn projects in inclusive transformation and other priority areas.
- Project Grants: Time-limited project funding from Research England and government bodies for specific initiatives such as the £16m Forging Ahead project for commercialisation ecosystem development.
- Membership Contributions: Partner universities contribute resources, facilities, and staff to support collaborative initiatives and shared infrastructure.
- Government Programme Funding: Funding from DSIT through the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign for attracting global R&D investment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Partnership membership - no fees charged |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free access to events and training |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Midlands Innovation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Midlands Innovation is a strategic research partnership of eight research-intensive UK universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Warwick) that collaborates on shared research infrastructure, joint research projects, and commercialisation initiatives. The partnership operates shared facilities including the Sulis Tier 2 high-performance computing facility and the Equipment Database (1,000+ items), runs thematic research networks (Health, Energy, Space, Flow Cytometry, Electron Microscopy, Bioimaging), and supports spinout investment through Midlands Mindforge.
Product overview
Midlands Innovation is a strategic research partnership of eight world-class universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Warwick) established in 2015 to accelerate research and power growth across the Midlands region. The organisation offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services including: the Equipment Database (access to 1000+ research equipment items via Jisc), Sulis HPC (Tier 2 high-performance computing for ensemble workflows), Midlands Mindforge (patient capital investment company for university spinouts), and multiple thematic research networks covering Health, Energy, Space, Flow Cytometry, Electron Microscopy, Bioimaging, Biophysics, and Inclusive Transformation. Key initiatives include the £16m Forging Ahead commercialisation project, the AI.RDN+ research development network, and the Midlands Ecosystem Platform. The partnership operates as a platform-plus-networks model, combining shared research infrastructure with specialised communities of practice to drive regional innovation and economic growth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Equipment Database A freely accessible database providing information about 1,000+ items of research equipment across the eight Midlands Innovation partner universities, including electron microscopes, MRIs, and 3D printers, powered by the EPSRC-funded Jisc Equipment Database.
- Sulis High Performance Computing Facility Tier 2 HPC facility based at the University of Warwick, the first machine of its kind in the UK dedicated to high-throughput and ensemble computing workflows for drug discovery, battery materials, chemistry, mathematics, and physics research.
- Midlands Mindforge A patient capital investment company established by the eight Midlands Innovation universities to invest in world-leading science and technology spinouts, with first investments in cutting edge antennae technology, novel eye drug delivery platform, and water sensor technology.
- Midlands Ecosystem Platform (Dealroom) Free, open access platform mapping the region's innovation landscape, covering nearly 6,500 startups including 350+ spinouts, alongside universities, science parks, accelerators, and active investors, supporting deal origination and performance tracking.
- Midlands Innovation Health (MI Health) Coordinates and combines the collective excellence of seven Midlands Innovation universities to deliver improved Midlands health outcomes and drive regional health sector growth through translational research, collaborating with NHS Trusts and other healthcare partners.
- Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) A long-standing partnership dedicated to enabling research and innovation in energy, working with industry partners to accelerate energy solutions and low carbon technologies.
- Midlands Innovation Space Group A collaboration exploring opportunities to shape the future of space technology, forming one of the largest collections of space-related expertise in the world, supporting research, development and training within industry and academia.
- Flow Cytometry Network A collaborative network coordinating flow cytometry facilities, training, and resources across Midlands Innovation universities, including an annual conference bringing together experts from across the region.
- Midlands Innovation Electron Microscopy Network A network established to bring together regional expertise in electron microscopy, serving as a forum to share best practices, disseminate information, and coordinate regional initiatives related to research, training, and funding opportunities.
- Midlands Open Bioimaging (MOB)
Quantifiable outcome
- Midlands university spinouts match productivity and growth rates of leading Golden Triangle institutions despite receiving historically only 1% of UK venture capital investment.
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Midlands Innovation
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Midlands Innovation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Midlands Innovation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Defence Universities AllianceflagshipMinistry of Defence initiative bringing together 35 leading UK universities. Six Midlands Innovation universities are founding members: Aston, Cranfield, Birmingham, Nottingham, Warwick, and Loughborough. Aims to develop skills, research capability and innovation for UK defence requirements.
- Forging Aheadcore£16m Research England and university-partner-funded project led by Loughborough University with 16 Midlands university partners. Accelerates commercialisation ecosystem by expanding proven initiatives and trialling new approaches to increase spinouts, licensing and industry partnerships.
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)coreUK's research and innovation agency that plays central role in funding and enabling world-class research across the UK. Headline partner of UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit.
- Rolls-RoyceflagshipHeadline partner of UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit. Major UK advanced manufacturing company with significant Midlands presence.
- Universities UKflagshipHeadline partner of UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit. Represents 140 UK universities.
- UK GovernmentflagshipHeadline partner of UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit. Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, announced Midlands Mindforge's active investment phase.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Midlands Innovation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- N8 Research Partnership: N8 is a partnership of eight Northern England research-intensive universities (including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield) coordinating research collaboration, doctoral training, and infrastructure sharing. It is the most directly comparable university consortium model to Midlands Innovation in structure and purpose.
- White Rose University Consortium: White Rose is a strategic alliance of three Yorkshire research-intensive universities (Leeds, Sheffield, York) collaborating on research, postgraduate training, and innovation. It shares Midlands Innovation's consortium-of-research-universities model, albeit at smaller scale.
- Northern Health Science Alliance: NHSA is a partnership of Northern England NHS Trusts, universities, and Academic Health Science Networks driving health research collaboration. It mirrors Midlands Innovation Health's model of convening regional health-research partners for translational impact.
Broad incumbents
- Russell Group: Russell Group is the UK's leading research-intensive university coalition (24 members including several Midlands Innovation partners). It represents the broader incumbent for elite-university collaboration, policy advocacy, and research funding influence - overlapping but wider than Midlands Innovation's regional remit.
- University Alliance: University Alliance is a UK mission group of universities focused on research, innovation, and skills collaboration. It is broader in scope (more members, less regional focus) but operates as a comparable university-partnership platform with policy and funding influence.
- Innovate UK: Innovate UK is the UK's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and commercialisation. It is a key funding partner for Forging Ahead and represents a broader incumbent in the UK's research-commercialisation ecosystem that MI channels activity through.
Others
- STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council): STFC funds and operates large-scale research infrastructure (synchrotrons, telescopes, HPC) across the UK. It overlaps with Midlands Innovation on infrastructure-sharing models and HPC funding through EPSRC.
Regional players
- Midlands Engine: Midlands Engine is a regional economic partnership covering the same Midlands geography as Midlands Innovation, convening universities, businesses, and local authorities for economic growth. It is complementary but more economic-development focused, with overlapping institutional membership.
Emerging players
- Cambridge Enterprise: Cambridge Enterprise is the commercialisation arm of the University of Cambridge, investing in spinouts and licensing university IP. It is a directly comparable university commercialisation vehicle to Midlands Mindforge, representing the Golden Triangle incumbent model.
- Oxford University Innovation: Oxford University Innovation is the University of Oxford's technology transfer and spinout-creation office. It is a directly comparable commercialisation vehicle to Midlands Mindforge, anchoring Oxford's Golden Triangle spinout pipeline.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Midlands Innovation social profiles
Digital presenceMidlands Innovation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Midlands Innovation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Midlands Innovation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Midlands Innovation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Midlands Innovation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Midlands Innovation
What does Midlands Innovation do?
Midlands Innovation is a strategic research partnership of eight research-intensive UK universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Warwick) that collaborates on shared research infrastructure, joint research projects, and commercialisation initiatives. The partnership operates shared facilities including the Sulis Tier 2 high-performance computing facility and the Equipment Database (1,000+ items), runs thematic research networks (Health, Energy, Space, Flow Cytometry, Electron Microscopy, Bioimaging), and supports spinout investment through Midlands Mindforge.
Is Midlands Innovation a public or private company?
Midlands Innovation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Midlands Innovation founded?
Midlands Innovation was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Midlands Innovation based?
Midlands Innovation is headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Midlands Innovation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Research England Policy Support Fund is the primary driver. The others are project Grants, membership Contributions and government Programme Funding.
Who are Midlands Innovation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are N8 Research Partnership, White Rose University Consortium and Northern Health Science Alliance. Broad incumbents are Russell Group, University Alliance and Innovate UK. STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council) is listed as an others. Midlands Engine is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Cambridge Enterprise and Oxford University Innovation.
Does Midlands Innovation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Midlands Innovation.
What industry is Midlands Innovation in?
Midlands Innovation's product category is University Research Partnership. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAH, Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization), with a secondary code of EDAHAAAA, Flagship Public Research Universities (R1/R2). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.