It will draw on the unique network of Academy Fellows, the expertise of academic institutions, and the start-up ecosystem in the Northeast.
The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub is number three in the UK, and 14th in Europe according to the Financial Times’ ranking of startup hubs (1). Building on this success and the Academy’s existing network of Enterprise Hubs in Belfast, Swansea, and Glasgow, Enterprise Hub Newcastle will offer programmes for entrepreneurial engineers at different career stages, with benefits including:
- Equity-free funding.
- Smart and flexible training, designed around the needs of entrepreneurs.
- Access to the unique mentoring capability of the highly talented engineers and business leaders that make up the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship.
- A dedicated presence in the UK’s nations and regions, embedded in the local ecosystem.
- Long-lasting ongoing benefit and support from the Academy’s global network.
The North East’s five universities have supported increasing commercialisation of their world-class research in recent years, supported by Northern Accelerator. The region now has a thriving spinout portfolio, with recent data reporting spinout turnover growing at 45%, nearly twice the UK average of 23%, and there is extensive scientific research going on, especially within healthcare and biotechnology.
Talent Pipeline in STEM and Engineering in Newcastle
These universities attract a high number of students to study STEM subjects. Recent Academy research done with Metro Dynamics in 2024 shows that there are significantly more STEM students in Newcastle compared to the UK average. Some 52% of higher education students in the city were enrolled in STEM subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level, more than the UK average of 45%. In addition, 7% of higher education enrolments were in engineering and technology subjects, slightly higher than the UK average.
However, this strong pipeline of talent does not translate into high levels of STEM and engineering jobs in Newcastle compared to the UK average - matching talented graduates with engineering employment remains a challenge in the city.
How the Royal Academy of Engineering is Addressing Regional Challenges
Enterprise Hub Newcastle will help harness this talent and address some of these challenges by collaborating with other organisations to support engineers and innovators to develop their commercial skills. The Academy’s network of expert Fellows, funders, business leaders, and policymakers will also be able to help attract investment and mentor local entrepreneurs.
Gillian Gregg, Head of Regional Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“We have established regional Hubs in locations where we believe the conditions for accelerating engineering economy growth are right. Places where we know there is an already rich innovation environment, a strong local research base, and where engineering businesses can start, survive, and scale. But significantly, also places where we believe the full economic potential of the engineering sector has not yet been realised.”
The Future of Engineering and Economic Growth in the Northeast
“Newcastle absolutely fits that frame, and we are delighted that we now have a base in the city from which we can provide even greater support to the wider innovation ecosystem.”
“We see a clear role for the Enterprise Hub to help unlock funding for the region’s talented engineers and technologists, supporting commercialisation and sustaining growth within the region's ecosystem, and in turn supporting the delivery of long term regional economic objectives.”
Dr Ian Ritchey FREng, Independent Advisor, Non-Executive Director and Honorary Professor. former Group Chief Engineer, Rolls-Royce plc says:
“Harnessing the talent and the research base in the Northeast is crucial to both the region's and the nation's industrial strategy, growth ambition, and productivity agenda.”
“The unique thing about the Royal Academy of Engineering is that it brings together over a thousand of the most influential and experienced engineers. Our Enterprise Hubs give entrepreneurs access to the expertise and proven business acumen of that network of Fellows, who have insight into both the regional context and wider economic opportunities.”
“The Northeast has the ambition, energy, and talent to create the great companies of tomorrow, and Enterprise Hub Newcastle will strive to support them to make that happen.”