Investment Support

Our offer…
to investors,
to business,
to you

The Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign has established the UK’s first University Investment Concierge Service which helps provide a navigation and connection service for investors seeking to work with our region’s universities.

We work in partnership with the region’s cluster organisations, industry bodies, innovation eco-system and growth agencies.

We connect and receive opportunities from local, regional and national government – as well as research and innovation agencies, the UK’s global Science and Innovation Network, Office for Investment and Department for Business and Trade representatives around the world.

Co-locating your business or R&D division on a university science, innovation or technology park places you at the heart of a local talent and innovation eco-system. The Midlands boasts a number of university-linked science, innovation and technology parks, home to hundreds of businesses and their employees

Let our collaboration and connections become your competitive advantage.

Our promise is simple

Our aim is to help connect international investors and companies to our universities – and to promote our universities to the world.

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Our universities

From the Midlands, 90% of the UK’s population and businesses are less than a four-hour drive away; 45% of heavy rail freight and 33% of heavy road freight comes from, goes to, or passes through the Midlands and, with the advent of HS2, London will be less than an hour away.

By air, the Midlands is home to two international airports – Paris is just a 90 minute flight away – with access to the seaports of the Humber. The Midlands are home to 11 million people, 15% of the UK’s GVA, and the only inland freeport. This is critical to dispersing the output of the Midlands and accessing the potential markets of not only the wider UK, but Europe and international buyers.

The region is constantly growing with new development sites and spaces for bespoke builds, including labs, test spaces, and offices. The Midlands universities all have dedicated teams ready to assist with knowledge exchange and set up joint research teams between their world-leading academics and investors.

These partnerships have in the past led to some of the critical innovations driving both current and future zero carbon technology.

An idea powerhouse

The UK’s ability to develop new ideas is one of our great strengths, from the jet engine and the bagless vacuum cleaner to MRI scanners and the world wide web. The UK’s talent pool, funding and incentives and business infrastructure all help create an environment of business innovation.

Our commitment to outstanding research and development will help your business reach its full potential. We are one of the most innovative countries in the world – ranked in the top 5 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2019.

For companies such as Ford, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Nokia and Eisai, the UK’s business environment is the natural choice for investment in innovation. The UK offers generous financial support and tax incentives for innovation in the UK.

These include:

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding through our Research Councils and Innovate UK
Research-led tax incentives such as Patent Box, R&D Tax Relief and R&D Expenditure Credit

The UK has a world class intellectual property regime. This protects the names, ideas, products, designs and written word of businesses. Find out about UK intellectual property laws after the UK’s exit from the EU here.

National support for investors
in innovation and R&D

The UK Department for Business and Trade identified multiple High Potential Opportunities for investment in the Midlands. The HPOs are supported by the UK government to make them more accessible to foreign investors. To find the full list of HPOs available in the Midlands and how the government can support your business taking advantage of them, contact DBT by calling +44 (0) 20 4551 0011

The UK Freeports are areas where the normal customs do not apply. At Freeports, imports can enter with a simplified customs documentation and without tariffs.

Business operating in the designated zone around the Freeports can manufacture using the imports and export the finished products through the Freeports, all without facing the regular tariffs. There are two Freeports operating in and supporting the Midlands:

The East Midlands Freeport
The only UK Freeport connected to an airport rather than a traditional sea port, and presents a unique opportunity for companies who manufacture and re export. To find out more and how your company can benefit from the East Midlands Freeport, get in contact with the team at info@emfreeport.com.

Humber Freeport
World-leading hub for renewable energy, clean growth, digital innovation and advanced manufacturing. To find out more and how your company can benefit from the Humber Freeport, get in contact with the team at contact@humberfreeport.org

The UK government has designated investment zones in both the East Midlands and the West Midlands, a new policy announced in 2023. The zones will receive £80 million support from the government over the next five years for tax incentives and resource spending. Examples of policies include business rates relief, stamp duty relief, capital allowances, and lower employer National Insurance contributions. To find out more, get in contact.

The Global Entrepreneur Programme provides support for overseas high growth business looking to move to the UK.
The Venture Capital Unit connects UK registered growth businesses and start-ups with investors and funders.
The UK Investment Support Directory provides connections between overseas businesses wanting to set up in or expand to the UK and those from the private sector in the UK who can assist, whether that be in legal concerns, marketing, HR, or other needs. Export Support Service
The Export Support Service helps those based in the UK looking to export abroad.
The UK Export Finance team can help with funding and insurance for UK exports.
The East Midlands Freeport team can help you take advantage of the tax incentives and freeport benefits. Reach them at info@emfreeport.com