University joins ‘Forging Ahead’ initiative to drive innovation

The University of Wolverhampton is announced as a key partner in a bold new initiative, ‘Forging Ahead,’ that aims to transform innovation and entrepreneurship across the Midlands. This collaborative effort, involving the University of Wolverhampton and 14 other Midlands university partners, will revolutionise how research and innovation are translated into real-world impact throughout the region.

‘Forging Ahead’ which is led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation will radically enhance the commercialisation ecosystem, supercharging entrepreneurial activity, scaling innovation, and creating dynamic new pathways for academic ideas to become high-growth ventures.

This ambitious five-year programme will reshape knowledge exchange, business creation, and investment attraction across the Midlands, unlocking the region’s significant research and innovation strengths and converting them into commercial successes. By strengthening networks, building capacity, and supporting diverse talent, the initiative will drive inclusive economic growth and ensure that innovation benefits communities throughout the region.

In its initial phase, ‘Forging Ahead’ will focus on launching and expanding initiatives to cultivate entrepreneurial talent, enhance investment readiness, and embed a culture of innovation both within and beyond universities. It will scale proven models and pilot novel approaches that make commercialisation more accessible, inclusive, and impactful. The second phase of the programme will deliver targeted interventions to accelerate innovation in strategically important sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Creative and Digital, Health and Med Tech, and Net Zero. These efforts will help establish the Midlands as a national leader for mission-driven innovation and support regional economic growth and national prosperity.

The initiative is supported by £9.9 million from Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, alongside an additional £6.1 million in matched funding from the partner universities and regional stakeholders. However, the depth of collaboration and shared commitment to transformation are what truly set ‘Forging Ahead’ apart as a model for reshaping regional innovation ecosystems.

Ceri Jones, Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Wolverhampton, commented: “The University of Wolverhampton is delighted to be a part of the CCF (Connecting Capabilities Fund) Forging Ahead collaboration. The partnership will help underpin our exciting and ambitious plans for commercialisation and technology transfer activity in alignment with our 2035 strategic vision. The development of a vibrant pipeline of spin out companies is crucial for both the University’s impact and the prosperity of The Black Country and the wider Midlands region. We are looking forward to building on our excellent partnerships with Universities, investors and businesses from across the region to catalyse our world class research and enterprise.”

The ‘Forging Ahead’ initiative will tackle existing challenges in the Midlands’ innovation landscape by establishing a regional talent pool, scaling successful accelerators, promoting inward investment, and supporting innovation networks and priority sectors. This coordinated approach will strengthen the region’s innovation and commercialisation ecosystem, attracting IP-rich spinouts and high-growth firms, ultimately driving economic growth and supporting the UK’s industrial strategy. The initiative aims to create a lasting legacy of collaboration between universities, spinout founders, and public and private sector partners, ensuring long-term support for innovation-led growth and positioning the Midlands as a globally competitive hub for enterprise and research commercialisation.

The award announcement by UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, is taking place today during a visit to the Midlands, where he is engaging with senior university leaders from across the partnership.

UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said: “The Midlands has been a bustling hub of innovation ever since the Industrial Revolution, and still is now – boasting diverse strengths from the creative industries, to health, and clean energy. The support and guidance we are announcing today will help draw out the game-changing ideas of this thriving region’s many researchers and scientists and transform them into the next generation of businesses that will draw in investment, create jobs and deliver growth, all supporting our Plan for Change.”

Notes 

The figures referenced in this article are taken from the Midlands Engine report ‘Midlands Spinouts & Innovation Investment’ published in January 2025 and Midlands Engine Partnership Factsheet, published March 2022.

Forging Ahead consortium members: Aston University, Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, Coventry University, Cranfield University, De Montfort University, Derby University, University of Keele, Lincoln University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick and University of Wolverhampton.