Launching the Future of Innovation in Sunderland
The Expo Sunderland Challenge kicked off its much-anticipated launch event on September 11, 2024, at City Hall in Sunderland. The atmosphere was charged with the energy of collaboration, excitement, and possibility, as attendees gathered to explore a unique initiative that aims to spark innovation across Sunderland. It wasn’t just a typical business meeting – it was a day filled with ideas that could shape the future of how we live, work, and connect in this vibrant city.
For businesses in Sunderland, particularly SMEs, the challenge offers an unprecedented opportunity to step up and make a real impact. Expo Sunderland Challenge is centred on three major themes – Future Homes, Future Living, and Future City – each of which opens up a broad range of possibilities for innovation and growth. Whether you’re a local start-up, a well-established business, or a community organisation, this event marked the perfect chance to jump in, explore these themes, and consider how your business could be part of Sunderland’s transformation.
Shaping the Future of Sunderland: What Does It Look Like?
The day began with an overview of the three core themes that the challenge will focus on:
- Future Homes: The focus here is on creating greener, affordable homes that are better for the environment and residents alike. From retrofitting existing properties to adopting new building methods and materials, there’s a strong push for housing that’s energy-efficient and sustainable.
- Future Living: This theme touches on the wellbeing of Sunderland’s communities. It’s about building healthier, happier lives through stronger community engagement and smarter connectivity. Businesses and innovators were encouraged to think about solutions that foster community spirit, whether through technology, design, or services that bring people together.
- Future City: Sunderland’s industrial strength, infrastructure, and position as a connected, smart city offer huge potential. This challenge theme is all about leveraging these assets to drive urban growth and strengthen civic pride. Attendees were urged to consider how their innovations could help Sunderland grow, both economically and socially.
Throughout the morning, speakers from industry and government took to the stage to outline Sunderland’s growing role as a hub for innovation. Their message was clear: this is an exciting moment to be part of Sunderland’s future. The support on offer through Innovation SuperNetwork (ISN) and the Expo programme was laid out, highlighting funding opportunities, testbeds, and collaboration possibilities.
For those in the audience, it was clear that the resources available were plentiful and that there’s a real appetite for new ideas. Whether you’re working on the next breakthrough in housing technology or pioneering a new way to connect local communities, Sunderland is ready to back you.
Sarah Cox, Innovation Challenge Lead at Innovation SuperNetwork said:
“Sunderland’s future is looking brighter than ever, and the Expo Sunderland Challenge is the driving force behind this change. This is an opportunity to not only grow your business but to play an active role in shaping the city’s future.
For businesses interested in taking the next step, now’s the time to get involved. The potential for innovation across the themes of Future Homes, Future Living, and Future City is immense, and the connections and support available through the Expo programme are second to none.”
After a morning of engaging talks and interactive sessions, attendees were given time to network over lunch. This wasn’t just small talk over sandwiches; it was a chance for businesses to start meaningful conversations with potential partners, collaborators, and even competitors.
It’s not every day that you get the chance to mingle with stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, let alone with access to funding and expert guidance on the table. Many attendees took full advantage of the opportunity to build relationships that could prove pivotal in the coming months as the challenge unfolds.
What’s Next for Expo Sunderland Challenge?
The launch event was just the beginning. In the coming months, Expo Sunderland Challenge will be rolling out a series of events and initiatives aimed at providing ongoing support to those looking to develop their innovative ideas. From innovation skills bootcamps to opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and services at future Expo events, the programme promises to offer something for everyone—whether you’re an experienced innovator or new to the game.
Additionally, the Digital Pavilion was highlighted as a key feature of the programme. This online space will serve as a platform for businesses to showcase their offerings, connect with potential partners, and keep up to date with the latest opportunities. It’s a space designed to make innovation accessible to all, even beyond the physical events.
How Can You Get Involved?
If you weren’t able to attend the launch event, don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to get involved with the Expo Sunderland Challenge. Whether you want to tap into the innovation support programmes on offer or showcase your business at future events, this initiative is an open invitation for Sunderland businesses to push boundaries – simply get in touch with the Innovation SuperNetwork team to find out more, or visit the Expo Sunderland website.
Sunderland is on the cusp of something special. Are you ready to be part of it?