Fuelling Innovation
Northamptonshire is a powerhouse of innovation. From global names like Warner’s Gin, Weetabix, and GXO Logistics, to the thousands of ambitious SMEs reshaping their industries every day, this is a county powered by bold thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. With a proud heritage of enterprise and a thriving, forward-looking business community, Northamptonshire continues to lead, adapt and disrupt.
And this summer we will be fuelling your business growth again.
This year’s campaign is set to be even more ambitious, designed to energise ideas, spark powerful collaborations, and unlock new opportunities for growth across the region.
Expect a high-impact programme of inspiring events, hands-on workshops, thought-provoking conferences and purposeful networking, all created to connect innovators, challenge perspectives, and turn ideas into action.
Whether you’re scaling, starting, investing or exploring what’s next, Fuelling Innovation is your platform to think bigger, move faster and grow stronger.
Full programme launching soon – watch this space.
Our Partners
Long Image Description: Images of Partner logos: URKI Innovate UK, Federation of Small Businesses, Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire, Digital Northants, South Midlands Growth Hub, Silverstone Technology Cluster, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Vulcan Works, British Business Bank, North Northamptonshire Council, TG Group Business Advisors and Accountants, Northamptonshire Business Network, North Northamptonshire Council, and The Northamptonshire Tourism Business Network.
Fuelling Innovation Podcast
Fuelling Innovation was a dynamic campaign that ignited creativity, fostered collaboration, and strengthened the future of businesses across the region.
As part of the campaign, our podcast took us behind the scenes of some of Northamptonshire’s most inspiring organisations. Through on-site conversations, we explored their stories, discovered how they innovate every day, and uncovered practical insights and tips to help you grow your own business or idea.
Missed it? You can still listen back and be inspired by the businesses driving innovation across our county.
Northamptonshire Innovation Ecosystem Analysis
The University of Northampton (UON) commissioned this report to better understand the innovation characteristics of the locality and the role UON must play in driving innovation within our industrial base. We recognise that we cannot do this alone, and the report has been co-produced by a steering group of key partners, it has been informed by consultation with businesses and key stakeholders, and it is also supported by a comprehensive evidence paper.
This report recommends how Northamptonshire can overcome some of the challenges we face, build on its past and shape its future as an innovative county in the future economy.
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WHERE FUELLING INNOVATION TOOK US
Last summer, we turned up the heat on innovation, and yes, we served it with more than a few shots of espresso.
Following the launch of the Fuelling Innovation campaign and the Northamptonshire Innovation Ecosystem Report, we took innovation on tour across the county. You may have spotted us at expos, enterprise centres, manufacturing hubs and business venues; sparking conversations, sharing insights and connecting brilliant local businesses with the support around them.
Our Fuelling Innovation Coffee Tour wasn’t just about great coffee (although there was plenty of that). It was about real conversations. We met startups, scale-ups and established manufacturers. We hosted workshops, partnered with funding experts, explored digital transformation, manufacturing innovation, intellectual property, tourism growth, and alternative finance.
From Franklins’ Gardens to Silverstone Park, Corby to Waterside Campus, the campaign brought together universities, partners, funders and businesses, creating space for collaboration, practical support and meaningful connections.
The result? New partnerships, fresh ideas, and businesses leaving with the tools and confidence to take their next step.
And if you joined us, thank you. If you missed it, there’s more to come.
50 Years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Fuelling Innovation shone a spotlight on the transformative power of collaboration. KTPs have been connecting businesses with academic expertise for five decades, driving innovation, boosting productivity, and creating real-world impact.
At the University of Northampton, we take pride in our successful KTPs that have helped businesses innovate and grow. These partnerships involve a three-way collaboration between a business, an academic institution, and a qualified graduate (known as the ‘associate’), working together on strategic projects to deliver tangible outcomes.