AberInnovation Secures Funding Boost from UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund to Level Up in Mid Wales
AberInnovation the innovative cutting-edge Innovation and Enterprise Campus based in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion is delighted to announce its successful bid for funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, securing funding which will play a pivotal role in supporting the Levelling Up agenda in Mid Wales, further bolstering economic growth, job creation and innovation within the region.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund delivered by Ceredigion Council has been established with the core objective of driving economic growth and prosperity across localised communities throughout the County economic strategy for Ceredigion for the next 15 years. This landmark funding initiative focuses on addressing regional disparities by investing in projects that have the potential to transform economies, create employment opportunities and accelerate overall economic development here in Ceredigion.
Two research and development programmes have been funded, including the Solutions Catalyst programme, also supported by the BBSRC (part of UK Research and Innovation) and Powys County Council, and finally the Mid Wales Challenge Led Launchpad, both of which were successfully piloted in 2022 and 2023 and have already supported twenty-two businesses to access business support, test and scale their innovative ideas, whilst creating new jobs.
Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet member for Economy and Regeneration said: “We welcome this fantastic news that will help boost local projects in Ceredigion and our neighbouring counties. AberInnovation has cutting-edge facilities so I have no doubt that they will succeed in supporting several businesses following this funding. I’m glad to see a Welsh initiative, Clwb Arloesi being put together to increase the visibility of the Welsh language in STEM and technology based businesses. I’m looking forward to attending and speaking to the Clwb Arloesi members in the Spring.”
AberInnovation has also secured financial support from ARFOR a Welsh Government funded project called ‘Clwb Arloesi.’ ARFOR is a joint venture by Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Anglesey Councils which seeks to use entrepreneurship and economic development to support the heartlands of the Welsh language and thus maintain the language.
Clwb Arloesi is a new initiative to establish a dedicated physical area at AberInnovation as a ‘Welsh Language Space’. It will deliver a programme of Welsh language talks, tours and gatherings in the new buildings for entrepreneurs and technology-based businesses, increasing the visibility of the Welsh language in STEM and research environments, and bringing the technical nature of AberInnovation to the professional Welsh-speaking and Welsh learner community.
Dr Rhian Hayward MBE, AberInnovation CEO said: “Our work to support businesses in addressing food security and climate change challenges can benefit the people of Mid Wales in new jobs and growing numbers of world class products and services launched. I am delighted that Ceredigion and Powys County Councils, UKRI via the BBSRC and Welsh Government are placing their trust in us to deliver these benefits under the Levelling Up agenda.”
The AberInnovation facilities, located at the Gogerddan site of Aberystwyth University, 100-year-old historic site of crop breeding at Gogerddan, exist to work with companies of all sizes to advance the development of climate change and food security innovations, where in-house academic and technical expertise will support this, and accelerate engagement between Aberystwyth University, industry and regional partners in Wales.
