Business & Government Connect in Sheffield for Innovation District Conversation

Today, Sheffield Innovation Spine welcomes national government, innovation ecosystem and industry leaders to Sheffield city centre for a series of events delivered together with the Office for Investment and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. 

The planned Roundtable, innovation district walking tour and networking session, brings together innovators, investors and enablers from across science, engineering and technology ecosystems, for a conversation about the Sheffield opportunity and the potential impact of the city's energised urban innovation district - the Spine. 

Professor Julia Sutcliffe, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade will Chair a Roundtable discussion at Pennine Five - a leading Innovation Hub within the Spine. Led by Sheffield Innovation Spine Director, Charlotte Thompson, the delegation will then visit key destinations and meet with innovation companies across Sheffield's 190-acre city centre innovation district. 

Sheffield Innovation Spine is a partnership with purpose, passion and the power to make things happen. Delivered through a collaboration agreement with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Technology Parks, the Spine works with asset owners and operators, businesses and ecosystem partners, to cluster dedicated spaces and facilities for start-up and high-growth businesses to incubate and scale. Designing for density, the Spine is clustering businesses, facilities and communities within Sheffield city centre to maximise investment, networking and collaboration opportunities. By positioning the Spine as a compelling inward investment destination and building critical relationships with civic, industry, and funding leaders, Spine collaborators are unlocking the development and investment needed to create jobs and grow businesses in Sheffield.  

The Roundtable brings forward conversations from Investors, Innovators and Enablers. By hosting a range of voices and perspectives across sectors, the aim is to gain insights based on robust experience and capture working examples, and identify opportunities for onward collaboration.