CPI establishes presence at Newcastle’s Helix quarter

Following its move to new premises in Newcastle, independent innovation organisation CPI is looking to collaborate and support the commercialisation of deep tech innovations that solve healthcare and sustainability challenges. 

CPI has moved into The Catalyst building on Newcastle Helix, a ground-breaking 24-acre city centre development that brings together industry leaders, businesses, and top researchers into an internationally renowned innovation cluster.   

Co-located alongside National Innovation Centre’s for both Ageing and Data, their new home will help CPI nurture existing relationships in the region and connect with more high potential start-ups, SMEs and investors, to ultimately bring to the marketplace more innovations that deliver societal and economic impact.   

The business is a founding member of the Government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres designed to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in specific technology areas and markets to help drive future economic growth. CPI collaborates with and connects partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to help turn great ideas – in health technologies, sustainable materials, pharmaceuticals, digital manufacturing and more – into reality.  

 CPI is already well established in the south of the region, with innovation infrastructure in the Tees Valley and Sedgefield, and already has many active projects in place with universities and businesses in the North of Tyne area. This includes helping drive the electric revolution by working with the North East Battery Alliance (Led by Newcastle University), which aims to build on the region’s existing strengths as a leading hub for the battery industry and a £5.6m ‘Internet of Caring Things’ project with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) to improve the wellbeing of residents, support the local economy and create jobs across key sectors through strategic investment, business engagement, and technology-based solutions.  

Sophie Walton, Director of Strategic Partnerships at CPI said:  “We are delighted to be moving to The Catalyst building at Newcastle’s Helix quarter, where several of my colleagues are already currently located. This new home will enable us to increase our strategic engagement with the regional ecosystem and strengthen involvement in ongoing projects, including creating the Internet of Caring Things with NICA, and developing sustainable battery materials with the North East Battery Alliance, which is led by Newcastle University.   

“We’d also like to work more closely with universities, NHS Trusts, industry and investors in the region alongside NICA and the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD), and we’re excited to use this base to continue to support start-ups, SMEs, and high-growth companies in the region, and to drive forward the deep tech innovations that make our world a better place.”  

Jen Hartley, Director of Invest Newcastle who are part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative said:  “The expansion of CPI into the award-winning Catalyst Building on Newcastle Helix demonstrates the continued confidence in the city as a place for innovative companies to locate. CPI has a powerful reputation for helping companies commercialise and take ideas to market, and their new location will provide a focal point for their continued work as a deep tech innovation partner of choice. They are the perfect fit for the Helix community and we’re looking forward to working with the team as they grow.”   

CPI say they have ambitious growth plans that will see them recruit several new staff during 2022/23.  

“Some of these will be tied more directly to our North East sites and some will work flexibly between them – quite a few will use the Newcastle office as their primary CPI office location and some will “float” – using it to hot desk, hold project meetings and connect with key regional stakeholders,” Sophie Walton explained.  

Michelle Percy, Director of Place with Newcastle City Council added: “It’s fantastic to have CPI part of the Newcastle Helix community and to know that the city is playing a part in addressing big societal and environmental challenges. Catapults such as CPI are bridging the gap between business and academia, providing access to world-class research and development facilities, and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach for many.”  

Rebecca Robinson, Centre Manager at The Catalyst, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome CPI to The Catalyst’s growing ecosystem for industry-defining businesses and look forward to watching them collaborate with NICA and build further relationships in the region that drive innovation.”