Strong local innovation economies are essential for regional growth, productivity, and equitable economic opportunities.

We tackle the barriers holding regions back including:

  • Limited access to funding for SMEs and regional projects.
  • Complex regulatory environments that hinder innovation.
  • Public sector procurement practices that are not innovation-friendly.

Our focus areas

Card image

Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)

We help public authorities adopt innovation-friendly procurement practices, unlocking demand for new solutions and driving regional R&D activity.

Card image

UK Innovation Districts Group (UKIDG)

We work with leading innovation districts where businesses, universities, and communities collaborate to tackle society’s biggest challenges, from net zero interventions to AI applications. Our goal is to ensure place-based innovation drives inclusive urban growth.

Card image

3Ci: Cities Commission for Climate Investment

We support local authorities in securing long-term finance for achieving net zero, unlocking £200bn+ in investment opportunities across UK cities.

Card image

Freeport Innovation Network

We support UK Freeports in delivering their innovation objectives, ensuring long-term legacy impact for businesses and communities.

Tale of two cities in boosting local growth through innovation

Delegates flocked to the Connected Places Catapult pavilion at UKREiiF in Leeds for three days of discussion around place…

Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG)
Project

Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG)

The Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG) was formed to promote the UK’s excellence in digital construction to maximise the UK’s export opportunity, estimated to be worth £11.5bn , to the infrastructure sector by leveraging its digital leadership.
Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP)
Project

Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP)

The Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP) advances global infrastructure through the adoption of digital construction techniques such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) aligned with international standards.
Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)
Project

Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)

The Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre helps public authorities unlock better, faster, greener and more cost-effective outcomes by using procurement as a tool to bring in innovation.

Related News

Eight West Midlands innovators join digital transformation programme
News

Eight West Midlands innovators join digital transformation programme

Innovative businesses in the West Midlands will receive tailored support to trial their technologies and solve regional challenges.
close up view of data on mobile phone
News

Search begins with DfT for AI innovators to make transport systems smarter

Up to 25 innovators will be selected to develop proposals that use AI technology to improve transport in the UK.
Connected Places Catapult part of winning consortium at the Self Driving Industry Awards
News

Connected Places Catapult part of winning consortium at the Self Driving Industry Awards

Pioneering autonomous driving demonstration project, evolvAD, picked up the 2025 project of the year award.