CPI Annual Review 2023-24
Celebrating 20 years of deep tech innovation
Since its inception in 2004, CPI has been instrumental in transforming bright ideas into reality. Through our deep tech innovation centres across the North of England and Scotland, we've empowered countless businesses to navigate the intricate path from concept to commercialisation. Our 2023-24 Annual Review showcases and celebrates two decades of dedication, innovation, and collaboration.
Transcript
This year at CPI, we're celebrating 20 years of innovation, impact, and transformative projects. CPI was born 20 years ago to fulfil a mission to increase industry's access to emerging technology that have the potential to transform manufacturing by commercialising faster and accelerating economic impact.
Something that has always been in our DNA is the effect that we have had on the regions in which we work - we can show how that has literally transformed landscapes and shaped local economies. And that's really what our purpose is. I like to think of CPI as an enabler and a convener; We connect the dots between industry, academia, governments, entrepreneurs and the investment community to build a better collective future. We always say that the best thing about CPI is the people the communities that sit behind the innovation and impact that we deliver, and that's equally true for anyone who's been part of our journey. You've all been integral to this success and will remain a part of our future journey to fulfil this enduring mission.
Innovation takes risk. It's about pushing boundaries and realising the potential of the UK's incredible depth in science and technology know-how and its commercialisation expertise.
So I'd like to thank you for taking this challenge head on and being part of the success of CPI over the last 20 years. Everyone at CPI is looking forward to the next 20 years of innovation, and are leading the change for a better future; for our people, our places, and our planet.
And as we say at CPI... let's innovate together
20 years of impact
We’re committed to catalysing advanced technologies and manufacturing solutions that benefit people, places, and our planet. Through this mission, we've helped unlock almost £3 billion in private investment, transforming manufacturing, industries, and local economies. Discover the stories of the incredible SMEs we've supported in the case studies below.
Case study
PragmatIC Semiconductor
Connecting everyday objects for a smarter future.
£22 million
Unlocked income
Case study
Touchlight Genetics
Scaling up a new process to create synthetic DNA.
100
Employee count
£147 million
Private investment unlocked
Case study
Case study
Case study
Azotic Technologies
Developing a natural nitrogen-fixation technology for agriculture.
Discover more
Case study
Case study
Our impact in numbers
It's time to look back and celebrate the achievements made possible through our collective efforts. For nearly a decade, we have diligently reported our key performance indicators (KPIs). However, in 2023, we shifted from activity tracking to measuring true impact. Our new framework demonstrates our impact in three critical areas: industry support, strategic leadership, and competence development.
Private investment unlocked
Business collaborations
Knowledge transfer activities
Projects delivered
CR&D projects spanning the innovation ecosystem
Projects involving academia
Business support activities
Products and processes developed
Products and processes to market
External learners supported
Client IP established
Investor readiness support
Research paper contributions
Industry regulation contributions
Thought leadership publications
20 years of incredible people
With over 700 people working across a wide range of markets and sectors, together, we’ve navigated challenges and embraced innovation to deliver the incredible every day, making a lasting impact on people, places, and our planet.
This series unites influential figures from academia, industry, government, and the investment community to highlight our role as a convener of the innovation ecosystem and demonstrate how we’ve shaped the innovation landscape over the past 20 years.
In this first episode, our former CEO, Nigel Perry MBE FREng, sits down with our current CEO, Frank Millar, to tell us how CPI came to be and reminisce over an incredible 20 years.
20 years of innovation
We are over 700 experts, innovation enablers, and radical thinkers with a wealth of experience across diverse industries and innovation landscapes. Glean ground-breaking insights from within the core of CPI in the thought leadership blogs below.
Blog
20 years of invigorating local communities
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on two decades of incredible impact on multiple levels and across various communities.
Learn more
Blog
Regional reflections: Place and the power of partnership
CPI opened its doors on 2 April 2004. Today, our commitment to connecting the dots in the innovation ecosystem is just as strong as it was then.
Learn more
Blog
Beyond the cutting edge: Why CPI Enterprises represents the next stage of CPI's evolution
For 20 years, CPI has helped shape the innovation ecosystem. And as the continued growth of CPI Enterprises shows, we’re only just getting started.
Learn more
Blog
Failure is an option – if you learn from it
Innovation is risky, it might involve failure. But if we learn from it, innovation can pay off big time.
Learn more
Blog
Engineering biology helping the UK tackle global challenges
Advanced medicines, sustainable food production, and manufacturing are all made possible by engineering biology.
Learn more
Blog
Innovation: What it is and how to do it
It's the lifeblood of any economy, but what are the differences between invention and innovation?
Learn more
Blog
The role of innovation centres within deep tech ecosystems
How national innovation centre navigate frequent changes posed by societal and industrial challenges.
Learn more20 years of ESG
At CPI, we recognise our responsibility to society and the environment.
Our story across 20 years
As a member of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we’ve fostered innovation across a wide range of markets, from healthtech and pharma, to novel food, materials, and energy. Take a look at the timeline below to uncover the key events and significant projects that have contributed to our growth and success.
One North East's strategy for success establishes CPI as a centre of excellence
CPI becomes founding member of High Value Manufacturing Catapult
CPI launches National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
Cost-effective development of AAV regenerative medicines
View case study
CPI appoints Jennie Younger as Non-Executive Chairman
Collaboration enables robust and efficient medicines manufacturing
Find out more
CPI launches National Healthcare Photonics Centre
CPI launches venture capital and investment arm, CPI Enterprises
CPI welcomes new CEO, Frank Millar
CPI joins UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce
CPI receives investment to help fight COVID-19 variants
Collaboration develops revolutionary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
View case study
CPI, ABHI, and Innovate UK funding programme supports HealthTech SMEs
CPI launches Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre
Colin Harrison Laboratory naming ceremony
CPI launches RNA Centre of Excellence
Wearable technology to help 50% of stroke survivors
View case study
Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence announced
Ground-breaking microbiome boost to infants' immune systems
World’s first fuel-cell-powered lighthouse
CPI launches National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
CPI launches National Printable Electronics Centre
PragmatIC Printing Ltd moves into commercial production at CPI
View case study
Consortium develops intelligent packaging for pharmaceuticals
Calysta and CPI open ground-breaking feedstock plant
View case study
Largest UK seaweed batch harvested for bioenergy production
View case study
CPI launches National Formulation Centre
LiNa Energy collaboration demonstrates next-gen battery technology
View case study
Scaling up e‑waste recycling with DEScycle
View case study
CPI launches Novel Food Innovation Centre
Advanced Materials Battery Industrialisation Centre announced
Turning rags to riches through repolymerisation
View case study
CPI plays crucial role in Rochdale-based innovation centre
Collaboration driving down cost of cultivated meat
CPI's pivotal role in making everyday products from CO2
Transforming places
We've supported hundreds of companies, helped create thousands of highly-skilled jobs, transformed industrial landscapes, and helped unlock billions for the UK economy. But we didn't achieve this on our own. Strategic partnerships with academia, government, industry and the investment community are central to our success and will continue to play a vital role as we embark on the next 20 years of our journey. Discover how we've helped transform places below.
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
National Formulation Centre
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
National Healthcare Photonics Centre
National Formulation Centre
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biocenology Facility
Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre
National Healthcare Photonics Centre
National Formulation Centre
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
RNA Centre of Excellence
Novel Food Innovation Centre
Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre
National Healthcare Photonics Centre
National Formulation Centre
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
National Printable Electronics Centre
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
Challenges and opportunities for UK HealthTech manufacturing scale-up
Download our free report today to learn more about the key barriers within the translation space between initial concept and manufacturing, which stifle UK innovators from successfully upscaling their novel HealthTech ideas into high value businesses and applications.
Download for freeFree downloadable guide
Challenges and opportunities for UK HealthTech manufacturing scale-up
Download our free report today to learn more about the key barriers within the translation space between initial concept and manufacturing, which stifle UK innovators from successfully upscaling their novel HealthTech ideas into high value businesses and applications.
