WHY GLASGOW CITY REGION?

Why Glasgow City Region?

World-Class Education Institutions

Outside of London, it is the only UK city to have 2 universities ranking in the top 40 nationally

£17bn Invested Into Business

Over £17Bn in capital investment since 2011, and top three fastest-growing tech investment hubs in UK

European Capital of Innovation

Glasgow was runner up in the European Capital of Innovation 2019 competition – recognising our city for innovation past, present and in the future and as a bold city of contrasts

£160m Investment Zone

10-year funding plan for tech and science projects

Innovation Accelerator

Selected as one of three pilot areas across the UK to share £100 million UK Government funding for a new innovation and research accelerator

3 Innovation Districts

Bringing together researchers and high-growth firms with technology and creative start-ups

A Legacy of Growth and Innovation

For over 250 years, Glasgow City Region has been a hub of growth and innovation, evolving from a leader in the Industrial Revolution to one of the most diverse and dynamic innovation economies in Europe, and recognised as a world-leading place in which to live, work and innovate. Recently, it has been named Europe’s top large city for attracting overseas investment, a testament to its thriving business environment.

Glasgow is the only city in the UK, outside of London, to have two universities ranking in the top 40 globally, producing highly-skilled graduates for both global firms and innovative start-ups, helping us drive real-world impacts in key sectors like engineering and manufacturing. These strengths are why world-leading companies continue to seek out Glasgow and establish themselves here. Explore our clusters of comparative advantage below.

Known for being friendly and open, the city region is celebrated for its vibrant culture, excellent work-life balance and affordability. This mix helps attract vibrant and diverse talent and businesses to the region.

By 2030, our goal is to be the UK’s most innovative, inclusive, and resilient economy, focusing on unlocking potential and fostering sustainable growth through increased R&D and innovation.

Innovation Clusters

Advanced Manufacturing & Precision Engineering

Health and Life Sciences

Digital Creative Industries

Digital and Enabling Technologies and Services

Energy & Net Zero

Advanced Manufacturing & Precision Engineering

Glasgow City Region is a leader in advanced manufacturing and precision engineering, excelling in sectors like Satellite Manufacturing, Electronics, and Shipbuilding and Marine Energy.

Health and Life Sciences

Glasgow City Region has a thriving Health and Life Sciences cluster, attracting over £59m in private investment since 2020.

Digital Creative Industries

Glasgow City Region excels in the Digital Creative Industries, particularly in Film, TV, and Digital Marketing. Hosting major broadcasters like BBC Scotland and STV enhances the region’s media landscape.

Digital and Enabling Technologies and Services

Glasgow is ranked as a top 10 UK digital tech city, excelling as a prime investment destination for multinationals and tech startups in fintech, data science, software engineering, the internet of things, digital media, and cloud computing.

Energy & Net Zero

Glasgow City Region is rapidly emerging as a leader in the Green Economy, from hosting the UN Climate Conference (COP26) to pioneering Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone. The region boasts a robust Energy and Net Zero Sector, with a competitive edge in firms specializing in Energy Management and Storage.

Last Updated: Nov 2023

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