As we approach the end of the year, we’re reflecting on some of the exciting things that happened in Liverpool – and the innovative changes that continue to happen – that our students can benefit from across the Liverpool City Region over the next few years. With investments, collaborations and developments continuing, it has led to many skilled jobs being created that our students can get involved in.
Dr John Dyer, our Innovation Lead, says: “Liverpool City Region has become a health and life sciences powerhouse. IBM, Unilever, the Gates Foundation and AstraZeneca are some of the few big names already recognising the city region’s potential. With new facilities being introduced and developed, we’re confident that our students will benefit greatly from this once they finish their studies.”
Innovation and Investment Summit
Bringing together leading voices from government, business, academia and finance, the Liverpool City Region hosted its fourth Innovation and Investment Summit in October. There were discussions about accelerating Liverpool’s ambition to become an innovative powerhouse by connecting businesses with investment opportunities which our students can get involved in over the coming years.
SINA Medical Glass
We’re excited to share St Helen’s new development milestones. The St Helens borough will have a new modern medical glass manufacturing facility at the Life Science Innovation Zone. SINA Medical Glass is receiving £5.5 million and the delivery of two high-tech machines.
With this new development, it’s expected to offer 180 new skilled jobs over the coming years. We’re also thrilled to hear that SINA will also be considering apprenticeships and placements to support young people’s development opportunities.
Knowledge Quarter has launched KQ CLICK
KQ CLICK is a new purpose-built business support network in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, a district which brings together universities, research centres and businesses covering science, tech and culture to drive economic growth and job creation. It has the commitment to developing businesses, fostering connections between businesses, and masterclasses hosted by experts. A great opportunity for students to build insight and confidence, KQ CLICK is made up of industry professionals and advisors to give you the best insight needed with drop-in sessions and events.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, says, “KQ Liverpool sits at the heart of Liverpool’s knowledge economy, meaning it is uniquely placed to provide advice and act as a gateway for collaboration among like-minded pioneers and innovators, whilst offering access to a broad network of free professional expertise – which can prove essential to businesses that are seeking to grow or scale-up.”
LYVA Labs
Launched in 2022 with a £10.5 million investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, LYVA Labs is the Liverpool City Region’s innovation commercialisation vehicle that supports high-growth and high-impact start-ups that are facing challenges.
LYVA Labs’ latest investment of £2.5 million highlights their focus on health and life sciences, which includes advanced software and engineering solutions. Recently, LYVA Labs has supported University of Liverpool’s research so they can be commercialised and turned into real life businesses, accelerating the development of early-stage innovations.
Lorna Green, CEO of LYVA Labs, says, “We’re incredibly proud to have reached this investment milestone and to be supporting some of the city region’s most promising startups. This funding is already helping to translate world-class research and bold ideas into real-world solutions that benefit people and the economy.”
We are providing our students with world-class learning and hands-on opportunities designed to set them up to thrive in Liverpool’s booming engineering and life sciences industries. To see the incredible work our students have been doing day in and day out, please watch our last highlights video of 2025 below.
The Liverpool City region continues to thrive and we look forward to seeing what our students get involved in with the opportunities, conversations and spaces that they can get involved in to reach their full potential. We look forward to seeing how Liverpool continues to grow in 2026 for our students.