| Formation | August 2012 (as M5) May 2016 (as Midlands Innovation) |
|---|---|
| Type | Consortium of United Kingdom-based universities |
Region served | English Midlands |
| Membership | Aston University University of Birmingham University of Leicester Keele University Loughborough University University of Nottingham University of Warwick Cranfield University |
| Website | www.midlandsinnovation.org.uk |
Midlands Innovation is a group of eight universities inthe Midlands ofEngland. It was formed (asM5) in August 2012 by the universities ofBirmingham,Leicester,Loughborough,Nottingham andWarwick in order to boost equipment sharing between member institutions, following the success of theN8 Research Partnership.[1] In December 2012 the group, which had addedAston University, launched its online equipment sharing database.[2] In March 2015, ChancellorGeorge Osborne announced that the Midlands Innovation universities would lead the £60 million Energy Research Accelerator project.[3] The project was re-announced in April 2016 as a £180 million project comprising the £60 million previously announced from the UK government and £120 million from the private sector.[4] The consortium was re-launched as Midlands Innovation in May 2016.[5]
In 2023, the eight universities together co-founded and formedMidlands Mindforge, a patient capital investment company to focus on commercialising research in three key areas: life sciences, green technology, and deep tech.[6] The company aims to raise £250 million from corporate partners, institutional investors and individuals.[7]
