Cardiff Innovation Hub Secures £30m UK Government Backing

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Cardiff University will play a central role in delivering a new £30 million innovation initiative for southeast Wales, supported by the UK Government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund.

The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has been named one of ten areas across the country chosen to develop new locally driven innovation strategies. This move is part of a wider £500 million commitment from the UK Government, designed to promote science and technology-based growth tailored to regional strengths.

Under the Local Innovation Partnership model, regions will coordinate efforts between businesses, academic institutions, and public bodies, a so-called ‘Triple Helix’ approach. It aims to ensure that the innovation delivered is commercially viable and anchored in local needs, rather than driven by national one-size-fits-all policy.

The investment will be managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which intends to convert research excellence into real-world commercial output. This includes new products, technologies, services, and crucially high-value job creation.

Professor Roger Whitaker, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise at Cardiff University, welcomed the funding: “This timely investment in our region will enable a new wave of innovation to take hold. Critically, it will be driven by new forms of partnership and co-creation on which the region can thrive.”

The project builds on Cardiff’s existing capabilities in applied research, technology, and enterprise areas where the city already outperforms others in the region. Local economic development is expected to benefit significantly, with the funding acting as a springboard for deeper collaboration between academic research and business innovation.

UK Government support for the scheme was emphasised by Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, who said: “This funding from the UK Government is vital to support Wales’ leading science and technology sectors… this investment will help kickstart innovation, create new well-paid jobs and grow the Welsh economy.”

Welsh Government Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans MS also issued a statement, noting the alignment with prior support for the region’s research and innovation efforts.

The programme’s rollout is anticipated to begin from April 2026, subject to final approvals.