Innovation Accelerator

In February 2022, Glasgow City Region was selected as one of three pilot areas across the UK to share £100 million funding for a new innovation and research accelerator, part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up plans.

Taken forward as a Regional project, the Innovation Accelerator built on progress made in recent years, including our three emerging world-class Innovation Districts, and take our innovation economy to the next level. It was designed to leverage in substantial private sector investment, on the back of public sector funding.

The programme initially funded 11 innovative local projects from 2022 to 2025, achieving significant success with over 250 companies engaged and £48 million of co-investment secured. The programme also provided significant job opportunities in key sectors, with over 300 jobs having been created across the portfolio.

In April 2025, it was announced that the pilot programme would be extended with a further £30 million funding for 2025-2026, shared between Glasgow City Region, Greater Manchester and West Midlands.

Seven Glasgow City Region projects were funded through the extension:

• Museums in the Metaverse
• Fusing a Future
• ReMake Glasgow
• Data-driven design and manufacturing CoLAB (D3M_CoLAB)
• The Critical Technologies Accelerator (CTA)
• Accelerated Integration and Deployment of Modular Chemical Robots
• Centre of Innovation in Financial Regulation

Find more detail on the individual projects.