January 2026

UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit

The Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign are planning to run the inaugural UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit alongside London Tech Week in 2026. This event will mark the end of the Pilot phase of the Campaign and the beginning of its scaling to a national initiative.

The two-day Global R&D Summit will be hosted at The Royal Society and showcase to a global audience the extraordinary wealth of science, research and innovation investment and partnership opportunities available right across the UK. Taking place alongside London Tech Week, the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit:

will provide the UK with a global event that leverages our global reputation for scientific excellence in order to engage the world’s top 200 investors in R&D, global patient capital and major industrial partners who invest in science, research and innovation.
will feature the first whole ‘UK Innovation House’ at The Royal Society providing Mayors and Devolved Nations with dedicated ‘Embassy’ space to showcase opportunities and strengths from their places during London Tech Week.
will host the inaugural ‘UK Unicorn Reception’ held to convene and celebrate the achievements of UK and UK alumni who have founded $1bn valuation companies around the world.

Visit the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit website

Greater Together LA

‘Greater Together LA’ (May 2026) is an ambitious programme of business and cultural activity. It will celebrate the creativity and innovation that US-UK partnerships have already achieved, while paving the way for future collaboration driving mutual prosperity for both nations.

An unprecedented delegation of UK and US C-Suite leaders, visionary founders and global decision-makers will come together in one of the most iconic cities, located in California – the fourth largest economy globally.

The programme includes a thought-leadership summit and VIP networking events, as well as music, cultural and sporting events across the city. Attendees will discover how the US and the UK can collaborate to tackle tomorrow’s greatest challenges while boosting investment, trade and cultural exchange between our nations.

Visit the full Greater Together website here: https://greatcampaign.com/greater-together/

USA East Coast

The Mayors of the East Midlands and North East of England are due to be in Boston (Harvard University) in April 2026 for the final part of the Bloomberg Mayoral Development programme. Following a scoping mission in July 2025, both Mayors are seeking to collaborate on a short inward investment mission in both Boston and Washington DC to promote a portfolio of high-value opportunities backed by the UK Government in their regions.

The Mayors will be working in collaboration with the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign, a pilot initiative co-funded by DSIT and UKRI that seeks to leverage the global connections of UK universities (starting initially in the Midlands, but potentially expanding to a UK-wide programme) to drive inward investment. 

View the Mission Call

SXSW 2026

The Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign will lead a return delegation of senior university leaders and regional partners to SXSW 2026. 

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a major international festival and conference held each March in Austin, Texas, bringing together technology, music, film, television, and culture alongside leading global brands such as Nike, Adidas, and others that use the event to showcase innovation and connect with emerging talent.  

The mission will focus on Sport and CreaTech as well as the application of AI to these fields and other relevant SXSW sectors. It aims to build on existing relationships from last year’s attendance and looks to engage new US partnerships that have evolved since last year.  