Alan Wleby, Innovation Director, North East LEP
North East to pilot Open Innovation Challenge
North East to pilot Open Innovation Challenge

SMEs in the North East are being given the opportunity to partner with European businesses to develop new projects, solving problems posed by multinational manufacturers such as Nissan, Caterpillar and Komatsu. The North East has been selected to pilot the Open Innovation 2.0 Lab programme which is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and to give […]

Tyne Bridge, River Tyne, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Setting the benchmark for Smart Cities
Setting the benchmark for Smart Cities

A new report provides the UK’s first overview of how digital technologies are creating the country’s smartest city. Vision and principles Newcastle’s System of Systems was commissioned by Newcastle City Futures, a project led by Newcastle University which brings together academics, local government, businesses communities  and charities. The report identifies what the city is already […]

Work starts at Newcastle Helix, National Innovation Centre
Minister marks construction of the National Innovation Centre
Minister marks construction of the National Innovation Centre

The first phase of progress for the National Innovation Centre based at Newcastle Helix is being marked this week (23rd July 2018).  The £50 million development will be home for business, academics and the public, which will put the UK at the forefront of AI, digital economy and Ageing Society. The Rt Hon Greg Clark, […]

Newcastle to be a leading Smart City in the UK
Newcastle to be UK’s leading ‘smart city’
Newcastle to be UK’s leading ‘smart city’

Bold plans to transform Newcastle into a smart city have been given the go-ahead by Newcastle City Council. The council aims to lead the digital revolution and become a major player in the digital world. The city has the fasting growing digital sector outside of London and attracts entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups and global players. The […]

Siemens and Newcastle University launch UK’s second Mindsphere lab
Siemens and Newcastle University launch UK’s second Mindsphere lab
Siemens and Newcastle University launch UK’s second Mindsphere lab

The latest development in the partnership between Siemens and Newcastle University launched Mindsphere Lab, aimed to accelerate digitalisation and meet the needs of an increasingly-digitalised society. “It is ideal that the latest hub on the MINe is here in a setting as advanced as the Urban Sciences Building and adjacent to the site for the […]

£7.4m development at NETPark opens
£7.4m development at NETPark opens
£7.4m development at NETPark opens

A prestigious £7.4m development built at a fast-growing science and technology park was officially opened yesterday (March 21).  Business leaders and local dignitaries gathered at the opening of the new Explorer facilities at the North East Technology Park (NETPark), in Sedgefield, County Durham, which are designed to house innovative, fast growing companies operating in high-tech, […]

Stephanielaunch
County Durham innovation project is launched to support firms scale up in the space industry
County Durham innovation project is launched to support firms scale up in the space industry

A new, five year innovation project is being launched at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) to help companies tapping into the space industry scale up faster.  The innovation project named STEPHANIE is being delivered by Business Durham and will support companies tapping into the thriving space industry scale up faster as they take their cutting edge products to market. STEPHANIE, is […]

Digital and Tech Sector, North East England
Thinking Digital highlights the importance of digital innovation within all sectors
Thinking Digital highlights the importance of digital innovation within all sectors

Last week I attended Thinking Digital Newcastle. Now in its tenth year, the conference brings together a large crowd and a stellar group of speakers; from company CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists and artists, the conference draws on all things ’digital’ and how innovation and breaking boundaries is what we all should aspire to. In a room […]