University drives innovation at regional Investment Fortnight

Building on last year’s success, the Liverpool City Region (LCR) hosted an expanded Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) in May 2025, showcasing over £2 billion in investment opportunities and the region’s unique approach to place-based innovation.

The University of Liverpool partnered with the LCR Combined Authority to launch the programme at an event entitled ‘What IIF’. Here more than 160 delegates gathered to explore the University’s innovation assets and discuss the future of innovation in the Liverpool City Region.

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The event spotlighted landmark University-led projects within the LCR Innovation Zone Programme, including the Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone (CHI-Zone) and its ‘Adult Social Care Testbed’, and ‘Citizen First LCR’, which addresses health inequalities. It also marked the launch of the Microbiome and Infectious Disease (MaID) Innovation Hub - a partnership with CPI to position the region as a leader in microbiome innovation, supported by Unilever, KCMC, and Croda.

Delegates also heard from experts in AI Materials, the Future of Music, and University spin-outs supported by the Sustainable Futures Accelerator. The day closed with a dynamic panel discussion, highlighting the collaborative spirit shaping LCR’s innovation future.

L-r: Sue Trish, Business Advisor and Programme Manager for Citizen First LCR, Public Life; Dr Annemarie Naylor, Director of HealthTech and Innovation Growth, University of Liverpool (CHI-Zone); and Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of National Care Forum.

The University was also involved in and supported a number of other events, highlights include:

• Designing for Circularity in Biodegradable Chemicals and Polymers

This one-day event united top academics and industry leaders to explore advances in sustainable polymers and biodegradable chemicals.

• Mersey Maritime Innovation Summit

The first Mersey Maritime Innovation Summit took place as part of the Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region project. The University of Liverpool’s Professor Andy Plater contributed to the programme with a presentation on current innovation activity.

• Pint of Science

University of Liverpool academics presented a series of engaging talks and live experiments in pubs across the city as part of the global Pint of Science festival. Held in relaxed, informal settings, the events covered a wide range of topics, including dinosaurs, artificial intelligence, survival psychology, and drug resistance.

• The Business of Science Conference

The 2025 Business of Science Conference welcomed a record number of attendees, sponsors, and partners to explore the commercialisation and future of science and innovation. Professor Tim Jones delivered a keynote from an academic perspective, while Professor Jo Fothergill joined a panel discussion.

University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said: “As a global university delivering world-leading research, we are equally committed to our civic role in the city and wider region. I was proud to open the Fortnight, which reflects the power of collaboration and the scale of ambition across the Liverpool City Region. Events like this help maintain the momentum we’re building together - driving forward bold ideas, nurturing the innovators of tomorrow, and unlocking shared prosperity.”

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