Planning regional innovation strategy
The Innovation Strategy sets out how we will deliver towards the vision of our MIT REAP document and the Innovation pillar of the LLEP's Economic Growth Strategy 2021-30.
Our strategic priorities
The LLEP Innovation Board has created an Innovation Strategy based on four priorities. Our aim is to focus on practical actions needed to drive forward innovation in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Developing and applying new technology
Innovating for sustainability
Increasing innovation among SMEs
Supporting global innovation leadership
The opportunity
Leicester and Leicestershire has significantly increased its university and technology-based R&D over recent years. Meanwhile, the region is home to corporate R&D centres for major global innovators including 3M, IBM and PepsiCo.
However, it has low levels of R&D expenditure compared with the national average and the regional economy is dominated by small businesses.
The plan
Our Innovation Strategy is based on the original two-pillar approach formed through MIT REAP.
The first pillar focuses on maximising benefit from our large ‘beacons’ -organisations and institutions offering world-leading research, facilities, and experts.
The second pillar concentrates on encouraging innovation among our small businesses. As the vast majority of our businesses employ fewer than 10 people, it is essential that we find new ways to help small businesses increase productivity.
Our framework
The Innovation Strategy contains a 10-point framework of how we will deliver across our four Innovation priorities.
It covers:
Language
Strategy
Communications
Advocacy
Case studies
Exemplars
University collaborations
Innovation Festival and Awards planning
Business support programmes
Entrepreneurship, innovation assets and culture
Implementing the strategy
Innovative Leicestershire
Launched in February 2023, Innovative Leicestershire is the overarching brand for the region’s innovation ecosystem.
It is led through the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub and stages events and activities throughout the year.
Innovation Steering Group
The Steering Group works under the Innovation Board in delivering our Innovation Strategy.
As well as away days, group members participate in peer-led activities and project working groups.
Festival Working Groups
Our annual Innovation Festival has its own working group and comms group to bring partners together and feed back to the Innovation Board on progress being made.
Board meetings
Progress made on the Innovation Strategy is reviewed quarterly when the Innovation Board meets at venues around the city and county.
Our Partners
Our Associates and Stakeholders
Get involved with Innovative Leicestershire
Collaboration is fundamental to achieving our goals. If you are interested in becoming part of what we are doing then there are a host of ways to get involved, from attending an event to relocating your organisation.
