Research and development support for tech and smart cities

The UK's tech ecosystem offers innovative companies networking opportunities, practical research support and research funding.

Research and development (R&D) infrastructure and networks

Catapult Network

The Catapult Network has 9 innovation centres across 40 locations in the UK. In each centre, businesses, scientists, technical specialists and engineers work together on late-stage research and development. The Digital Catapult is the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation centre. It has centres in London, North East and Tees Valley, Northern Ireland and Brighton.

Other catapult centres which relate to tech and smart cities are the Satellite Applications Catapult, the Connected Places Catapult and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Go to the Catapult Network website for more information.

Knowledge Transfer Network

Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network also supports innovative tech companies, providing sector expertise over the full range of tech subsectors. Find out more on the Knowledge Transfer Network website.

Research and development clusters in the UK

R&D clusters are closely linked (but not limited to) centres of activity for the industry. These include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Major activity centres round :

  • Oxford University, providing strong leadership in AI ethics and applied AI
  • London and London universities, particularly University College London and King’s College
  • Cambridge and Cambridge University
  • Edinburgh
  • Leeds

Major national centres are:

Cyber

Centre of excellence include:

  • Belfast, a world-leading cyber hub 
  • Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. The town has a large cluster centred round the UK security and intelligence agency, GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters)
  • Manchester, a fast growing cluster, containing a GCHQ centre of excellence
  • Scotland, home to 8% of UK cyber companies
  • Wales, with several centres of academic excellence, including the Centre for Cyber Security Research

Fintech and data

Centres of excellence, specialising in fintech and related disciplines such as data analytics, are spread across the country. The websites of important centres are listed below:

Smart cities

Across the UK, different cities are researching and developing expertise in different smart city systems:

  • Smart energy - Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham
  • Smart buildings – Glasgow, Nottingham
  • Smart infrastructure - Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle, Peterborough
  • Smart governance - Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Peterborough
  • Smart mobility - Aberdeen, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford
  • Smart health - Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester, Oxford

Quantum

Scotland

Scotland’s quantum ecosystem benefits from a well-established photonics cluster, responsible for around 40% of the UK’s research in quantum technologies over the last 10 years. Leading centres of excellence include:

Wales

Wales is home to CSConnected, the world’s first and only dedicated compound semiconductor cluster.

Oxfordshire, South East England

A global leader in quantum computing, Oxfordshire hosts:

Greater London

London is a major hub for quantum innovation. The region hosts:

Research resources

Konfer is an online tool which uses smart matching technology to connect UK universities and businesses.

UK Research and Innovation’s Gateway to Research website gives information on current and past UK research projects, including publications, outcomes and contacts.

Tax relief for innovative tech companies

The UK tax system provides strong backing for entrepreneurs and their investors.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are UK government schemes that help you if you’re a younger, higher-risk businesses raising finance. They offer generous tax reliefs of between 30% to 50%.

Find out more about the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) on GOV.UK.

Private equity and venture capital

With a mature and highly sophisticated capital market, the UK is both a leading destination and source of capital investment.

Find out more about the different types of equity finance available in the UK in our guide Access to Finance.

Specialist funding opportunities for tech and smart cities

National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP)

NQTP is a £1 billion collaboration between industry, academia and government. It funds the development of leading-edge science into new products and services. The NQTP supports ideas, innovation and investment to secure UK advantage and opportunities in the globally competitive new quantum era.

Technology Missions Fund

Run by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this enables new and existing capabilities and capacity in artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications and quantum technologies.

BridgeAI programme

Delivered by Innovate UK and strategic partners, BridgeAI offer funding and support opportunities to help innovators assess and implement trusted AI solutions, connect with AI experts, and elevate their AI leadership skills.


Next steps

Find out more about help for research and development in our guide to incentives, funding and support in the UK.

Get advice on setting up your research-focused tech business in the UK from UK experts – find their contact details on the Investment Support Directory.