Innovate Lancashire Programmes & Projects

Lancashire Digital Hub’s mission is to support the development of a thriving digital economy across Lancashire. It does this by supporting anyone who wants to start or grow their digital business in Lancashire, and to help anyone who wanting to pursue a digitally focussed career in the county.

The Hub also works closely with district authorities to empower the development of localised ecosystem activity, and bring digital communities together on a hyper-local basis. Key Digital Hub activities include a regular programme of Tech Talks held around the county, convening the Lancashire Digital Leaders Group, hosting the popular Techy Tuesday weekly drop-in sessions in Preston, and producing the annual fhunded Live event.

Developed by Innovate Lancashire and managed by Lancashire County Council’s Business Finance & Scale Up team, fhunded fosters collaboration and investment across tech and digital businesses in Lancashire. With a strategic focus on networking, fhunded brings together key stakeholders – including funders and founders – through a series of curated and targeted networking events. Complementing these, fhunded hosts insightful workshops on investment readiness; equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to attract funding. By encouraging investment in the local tech and digital sectors, fhunded is playing a vital role in accelerating Lancashire’s economic development, positioning it as a thriving hub for tech growth and new investment.

Fraser House is a diverse and inclusive co-working space for tech and digital businesses in the heart of Lancaster. Developed by Lancashire County Council, Fraser House’s community-orientated culture fosters collaboration and encourages interaction between its members.

Through a dynamic programme of events and workshops, Fraser House also engages with external partners and influencers, and is home to the fhunded investor programme. Recently it was revealed that over 30% of all venture capital raised in Lancashire has been generated by businesses based in Fraser House, leading to Business Cloud magazine declaring: “What’s going on at Fraser House should be the template for all tech hubs.”

Building on the success of the annual Lancashire Tech Summit, fhunded Live is an annual gathering of the county’s top technology entrepreneurs, digital disruptors and creative professionals.

Held each May in the grounds of Lancaster’s magnificent Williamson Park and running alongside the Highest Point music festival, fhunded Live is a blend of engaging talks, passionate discussions and insightful masterclasses which help unpack all aspects of the technology ecosystem. With an emphasis on inspiration, innovation and interaction, regular topics include finance, skills, collaboration and inclusivity. It also offers great networking opportunities for anyone interested in the tech sector or wider digital and creative industries.

Developed by Lancashire County Council, in partnership with The Lancashire Innovation Board, the LIP is an ambitious economic growth strategy focused on maintaining, strengthening, and extending Lancashire’s world-class capabilities in innovation-led sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, cyber, low carbon, energy, and chemicals.

Objectives include:

• Scaling-up business support provision for innovative SMEs
• Targeting and securing more national and regional R&D funding
• Increasing the number of university spin-outs and spin-ins
• Helping Lancashire businesses to access more innovation-led finance
• Joining-up of Lancashire’s key R&D assets to accelerate innovation and drive more commercialisation

Download a copy of the Lancashire Innovation Plan here