Our Story

Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy (2017) highlights the need to “link up our innovation hubs and wider business support offer.”

The concept for the programme is proposed at the Innovate UK 2020 regional conference, held at John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park.

The project is incorporated into the delivery plans of the New Anglia Innovation Board and Council for Digital Tech. It is endorsed by the Innovation Board at their meeting on 21st July, with all major Norfolk and Suffolk innovation hubs and County Councils represented.

The proposals for Connected Innovation are developed in more detail. Funding opportunities are identified, and bids are prepared and submitted.

Successfully awarded funding from Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF) and Norfolk Strategic Fund (NSF), enabling the project to officially start in early 2021.

Innovation Hubs Coordinator appointed.

Project Commences with 12 Innovation Hubs – led and coordinated by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership

The LEP team establishes the Hub Peer Network, meeting bi-monthly. This is supported by a dedicated LinkedIn group and social media promotion.

Hub network grows to 16 Innovation Hubs (Norwich Research Park Institutes)

We host our successful launch event- ‘Connected Innovation: collaboration, convergence and clean growth’ on 13th July. Learn more here.

We also launch our Innovation Prospectus.

Tech Suite installed at Hethel Engineering Centre.

Hub Pilot Events commence.

Clarity Campaign launched to promote innovation in the East on a national and international level.

Hub network grows to 18 (Broadland Food Innovation Centre & @inc Bury St Edmunds)

Hub network grows to 20 (BT & @inc Felixstowe).

Hub network grows to 23 (Woodbridge and Sudbury Innovation Labs, Akcela).

Six events hosted with delivery partner TechEast. They covered themes such as clean energy and emerging technologies, offshore wind, digital solutions, and advanced manufacturing and engineering.

Connected Innovation Conference held at Adastral Park, Suffolk on 10th March.

The new Innovation Prospectus is launched.

Hub network grows to 25 (Freeport East and Framlingham Technology Centre).

The programme gains funding support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to continue and scale up activity, particularly the development of innovation clusters.

First meeting of the Connected Innovation Investment and Finance Sub-Group which officially draws together venture capital firms, investors, and business support organisations seeking to back innovation in the region.

New Connected Innovation brand and website launched.

A new action plan is created by Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to give innovators and entrepreneurs in Norfolk and Suffolk improved access to expertise, tools and support to help them grow.

A Space Enterprise Lab providing users with the latest collaborative technology, resources and expertise launches at Adastral Park in Suffolk. Becoming the 26th hub in the Connected Innovation network.

Connected Innovation enters its fourth year with a network of 26 innovation hubs and supporting cluster development across the region.

Connected Innovation along with Innovation Hub partners – Akcela and Innovation Labs secure funding from Barclays Eagle Labs alongside Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils to deliver the ‘Future’ programme.

@inc Southwold opens growing the network to 27 innovation hubs.

The Connected Innovation team supported Innovate UK in organising the regional Innovate Local showcase event for the Eastern region. This marked the relaunch of the Innovation Prospectus too.

Connected Innovation with Norfolk and Suffolk Unlimited and Game Anglia led a delegation of 6 businesses to Slush in Helsinki – as part of the wider Games London delegation.

The Connected Innovation network has reached 4 years old. To date it has supported 91 events with over 4000+ attendees. In addition to securing £10m+ of locked off support programmes in Creative Industries, Agri Tech, Manufacturing and Digital Technology.

The Future Tech Programme is continued for a another year with funding secured through Connected Innovation alongside Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.

The programme has engaged 79 businesses engaged, delivered 42 workshops  across Norfolk & Suffolk and supported 36 companies supported through the bespoke startup support programme.

The network grows to 28 Innovation Hubs with the Norwich Digital Hub and Evotech the latest hubs to join.

Connected Innovation announces it’s second consecutive Slush delegation with 6 companies from the Future Tech Programme heading out to Helsinki in November.

Signed MoU with Essex County Council to expand Connected Innovation and the Innovation Grant Mentoring Service into Essex.