programmes
Freeport Innovation Network
Supporting the UK Freeports in the delivery of their innovation objectives, ensuring long term legacy impact for businesses and communities.
A Freeport (in the context of the UK) is an Free Trade Zone located adjacent to or as part of a transport/logistics infrastructure such as airports, maritime ports and railway junctions, and can adopt the characteristics of a Special Economic Zone.
The UK government’s core objectives for Freeports align the establishment of Freeports with economic growth and as such require the Freeports to be developed along the lines of an Special Economic Zone. They also actively encourage economic development through partnerships and investment including Foreign Direct investment (FDI).
Freeports offer opportunities in investment and innovation, creating high-quality long-term jobs and supercharging the next zero agenda. They are run in partnership between public and private sector and have a board to ensure accountability transparency and inclusivity.
The Freeport Innovation Network (FIN) supports the UK Freeports in the delivery of their innovation objectives, ensuring long term legacy impact for businesses and communities.
Ongoing FIN support
The FIN continues to work closely with the Freeports to support them.
Some highlights include;
- Supporting Freeport East’s in a Freight themed hackathon with local year ten students
- Amplifying Teesside Freeport’s Digital Trade Testbed as a national asset,
- Sharing expertise with East Midlands Freeport on establishing an innovation hub
- Advocating for investment in Plymouth and South Devon Freeport projects to venture capitalists,
- Introducing South Korean SMEs to the Thames Freeport ecosystem
- Inviting Solent Freeport to speak about opportunities at the UK Real Estate Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UK REiiF)
- Publishing feasibility study of potential projects with LCR Freeport
- Providing insight from Connected Places Catapult Freight Innovation Cluster to Humber Freeport
Find out more about Freeport Opportunities
Read Connected Places Catapult Freeport Playbook, 2021
Contact
Philly Strahan – Freeport Innovation Network Manager – philly.strahan@cp.catapult.org.uk
