OUR MISSION

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Create spaces
where innovation can flourish

Strengthen connectivity
to unlock collaboration, talent
and investment

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Drive purposeful growth through industry and societal problem-solving

Sheffield is quickly establishing itself as a national innovation hub. In 2023, the University of Sheffield ranked fifth nationally and first in the North for university spinout equity deals, according to Parkwalk Investors. With early-stage investment rising, world-class research and talent, and a strong startup pipeline, the city is scaling fast. Despite this, many ambitious ventures were struggling to find the right space and support system they needed to flourish.

The Sheffield Innovation Spine is changing that. We’re transforming a key stretch of the city centre into an ecosystem of incubators, labs and flexible workspaces, linking existing facilities and attracting founders, talent and investment.

Making it happen

Sheffield City skyline with various tall buildings, some with modern glass facades, under a partly cloudy sky, with trees in the foreground.

©Doug Banks Photography

We’re leveraging Sheffield’s existing innovation spaces in the city centre, repurposing buildings to meet immediate needs and attracting investment in retrofits and new developments. By activating sites around established hubs, we’re enabling the growth of our dynamic innovation clusters.

At the same time, the city is seeing a surge in early-stage funding, driven by initiatives like Northern Gritstone, Sheffield Angels and Venture.Community. This is fuelling a fast-growing business community, supported by Sheffield Digital, Startup Social, The Digital Forge and Innovation in Action.

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Group of five people, smiling and posing for a photo at a conference with an orange and black exhibition booth behind them that reads 'Discover the South Yorkshire Ecosystem.'

A CITY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

The Sheffield Innovation Spine is an active, long-term initiative led by SYMCA, Sheffield City Council, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and Sheffield Technology Parks. It aligns with Sheffield and South Yorkshire’s Growth Plan to drive an innovation-led economy that’s attracting both national and international investment.

We are revitalising underused areas of the city centre by capitalising on Sheffield’s own strengths in research, advanced manufacturing and digital technology. This is breathing new life into existing assets, complementing broader regeneration efforts, and delivering high-value commercial spaces.

We are a cornerstone of South Yorkshire’s expanding tech landscape and form part of the UK’s first Investment Zone. Through the Innovation Zone and TECH SY, the region is championing high-growth tech businesses and showcasing itself as a prime destination for tech investment and enterprise. Initiatives like the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme – led by Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Council – are helping companies scale, strengthening the region’s business growth, while the Innovation Network South Yorkshire helps to connect academics and business leaders to foster cross-sector collaboration.

Sheffield City Centre and the Innovation Spine is one of four key growth areas identified to deliver South Yorkshire’s Growth Plan missions, and complements the UK-leading Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), located between Sheffield and Rotherham.