Celebrating 3 years of R&D support

On the Advanced Digital Institute’s (ADI’s) third anniversary, Lord Mandelson the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills was at the opening of the institute’s new office. Also present were those passionate advocates and promoters of new technology: Yorkshire Forward, Bradford City Council and the Airedale Partnership.

How it all began

ADI is an independent, not-for-profit research and development institute based in the Aire Valley in West Yorkshire. It provides technical and business support for identifying and exploiting technological opportunities.

Among its employees are highly qualified and experienced engineers and researchers. And, significantly, its board of directors comes from the worlds of both business and academia. Unusually, therefore, it has strong links with both.

The ADI can collaborate with whomever it chooses. And it has made the most of that opportunity by forming a number of innovative partnerships with a diverse group of companies.

ADI works with companies to develop intellectual property that:
• Already exists in a company’s portfolio.
• Needs to be identified.
• Can be exploited in combination with other technologies.
• May have gone unnoticed and undervalued commercially in academia.

The event

The successes ADI has already achieved during its relatively short existence were celebrated.

Lord Mandelson acknowledged that ADI has had an impact that’s been felt way beyond the borders of the region, saying: “ADI is a powerful investment in Britain’s future; fostering innovation at a time when it’s tempting to cut back on R&D spend; turning innovative ideas into the leading commercial solutions of tomorrow.

“Yorkshire's strengths in advanced manufacturing, the creative and digital industries, pharmaceuticals and healthcare are proof that Britain can prosper in the new global economy.”

What next?

The institute now seeks to diversify into key growth sectors such as telehealth, e-learning and energy management. As with its existing partnerships, ADI will create a substantial increase in the effectiveness of its new collaborators’ R&D programmes.

Linda Pollard, deputy chair of Yorkshire Forward and chair of Airedale Partnership, says: “The opening of this fantastic new building for the ADI is the start of the next phase of the Airedale masterplan. With the help of businesses on the ground, we can ensure this valley is… a place where urban and rural businesses and communities are connected technologically. Also an area connected by a shared vision.”