Achieving economic growth and recovery when faced with an empty public purse and a radical agenda for devolution mean the need to innovate is greater than ever.  So how can cities create an environment in which businesses and the public and third sectors can innovate more, better and faster?  How can the new government’s agenda enable cities to drive economic growth with innovation?  Too much advice on innovation is theoretical.  NESTA, Manchester City Council and the North West Development Agency would like to invite you to participate in an event about building local innovation systems based on the unique practical experience of the Manchester Innovation Investment Fund.  We’d also like to give you the opportunity to debate with policy and decision makers about how they can enable cities like yours to innovate and thrive.

Speakers include:

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council
Dermot Finch, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
Cathy Garner, Chief Executive, Manchester Knowledge Capital
Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief Executive, NESTA
David Sanderson, Science Policy Manager, NWDA
Andy Westwood, Director of Skills and Employment, Manchester New Economy

For almost three years, NESTA has been working with the Manchester City Region on a unique innovation programme – the Manchester Innovation Investment Fund. Unlike what we might traditionally expect an investment fund to do, this Fund was not designed to invest in innovation in companies, or develop physical infrastructure. Instead, through investing in pilot solutions to innovation challenges and testing NESTA’s theoretical models, it was designed to invest in the conditions for innovation. That is the networks, skills and ways of working that underpin innovative activity. It was seen by the founding partners, Manchester City Council, NWDA and NESTA as an opportunity to create a platform for more productive collaborations between public and private sectors and identify new sources of leadership for innovation.

With over 20 programmes already underway, we will be launching a publication aimed at cities on similar journeys with practical advice based on these experiences. Please join us, and others who want to ensure that UK cities can drive economic growth and resilience with innovation.