Business Secretary officially opens Sensor City

Posted on 12 Nov 2017 by Jonny Williamson

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, has officially opened Sensor City, landmark joint venture between University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University which aims to create 300 start-up businesses and 1,000 jobs.

- Image courtesy of Sensor City
Liverpool’s Sensor City is a world-class innovation hub and centre of excellence devoted to the technologies of sensing.

Over the next decade, the technical innovation centre will foster industry–academic collaborations, bring together knowledge and experience in technology, support high-tech businesses working on sensor systems and applications, and stimulate business growth regionally, nationally and, ultimately, internationally.

Sensor City is open to start-ups, entrepreneurs and big business who want to access the sensor related skills, services and equipment that will enable them to leapfrog from idea to prototype.

Business Secretary, Greg Clark commented: “Sensor City is a brilliant example of our Industrial Strategy in action, a hub that will bring together the best academic minds and entrepreneurs with businesses, large and small, to explore opportunities and foster collaborations that will turn innovative ideas into scale-up businesses.

“Our modern Industrial Strategy has an ambitious long-term vision for the UK. We are committed to building on our strengths as a country and delivering a high-skilled economy for the years ahead. Sensor City will help us deliver on this ambition and make a valuable contribution to this work, driving forward innovation.”

Visit Sensor City!

Registered Smart Factory Expo visitors have the unique opportunity to visit Liverpool City Region manufacturers and innovation hubs for FREE. Tours will be taking place Tuesday 14 November and Friday 17 November (the day’s immediately preceding and following the Expo).

Registration opens Monday 16 October and places are offered on a first come, first serve basis, so ensure you are registered for Smart Factory Expo at the earliest opportunity as those registered have first refusal and the best chance of securing a place.

 Sensor City is one of the tours available. Delegates will be able to see first-hand how sensor technologies are facilitating the Fourth Industrial Revolution and will hear from like-minded professionals and companies how sensor technologies have improved products, processes and efficiencies.

To find out more, please contact: [email protected]

To date, Sensor City has gained the following funding:

  • The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has backed the project with a £5m University Enterprise Zone status capital investment award
  • The England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, awarded £5m  in capital investment as match funding to support the development of the hi-tech sensor hub
  • The University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University have each committed £1.5m to the project and £2m of co-investment from corporate sponsors over the next five years
L-R: Professor Nigel Weatherill DL (Liverpool John Moores University Sensor City), Alison Mitchell, (Sensor City), Greg Clarke MP, Professor Janet Beer (University of Liverpool), and Metro Mayor, Steve Rotherham.
L-R: Professor Nigel Weatherill DL (Liverpool John Moores University Sensor City), Alison Mitchell, (Sensor City), Greg Clarke MP, Professor Janet Beer (University of Liverpool), and Metro Mayor, Steve Rotherham.

Professor Nigel Weatherill DL, vice-chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University and chairman of the Sensor City Board, said: “This is a landmark day for the city of Liverpool.

“Sensor City embodies a truly pioneering partnership that will enable Liverpool to be a leading British city in addressing modern industrial challenges through sensor technology.

“It is testament to the significance of Sensor City that Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business and Energy, is launching the facility and he will see first-hand how sensor products developed here in Liverpool, are already breaking boundaries in healthcare, sports and gaming innovation.”

Executive director of Sensor City, Alison Mitchell added: “Since we moved into this iconic facility earlier this year, we’ve made great strides towards building a community of tech companies that are pushing the boundaries of IoT and sensor innovation.

“Our partnerships – both with academia and big business – are opening up access to world-leading knowledge, support and services. Together, we’re creating the skills base for emerging technologies in the North West, boosting jobs for the future and supporting our local community.”

Sensor City includes a Software Design Suite, Mechanical Laboratory, Optical Laboratory and Electronics Laboratory, as well as offering coaching, business mentoring and access to funding.

Occupying a prime position in the city centre, Sensor City lies at the gateway to KQ Liverpool and is already home to a number of leading businesses, including health innovator, Chanua Health, Fatigue Management International (FMI), Aqua Running and UPLEC Industries.