The inaugural UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit will be hosted at The Royal Society and Chaired by Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS, the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser. It will take place during London Tech Week 2026, one of the world’s greatest festivals of technology, innovation and investment attended by nearly 30,000 delegates.
The Summit’s programme will provide a festival of science, innovation and investment. Attendees will hear from outstanding speakers, take part in roundtables and network with senior representative drawn from across global science, industry and investment.
UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser
Chair of the UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit
Chief Executive, Universities UK
Speaker, participant and sponsor of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Speaker and participant of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Mayor of the East Midlands
Speaker, participant and sponsor of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Director, Arup
Speaker, participant and sponsor of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Director, MetroDynamics
Speaker, participant and sponsor of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Chief Executive, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Speaker, participant and partner of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Director, Midlands Innovation
Speaker, participant and partner of the UK Global R&D Science and Investment Summit
Set in the heart of Westminster, the Royal Society offers a distinguished and historic setting overlooking The Mall and St James’s Park. Its elegant, architecturally striking rooms combine heritage features with modern facilities, making it an exceptional venue. With excellent transport links and a reputation for scientific excellence, the Royal Society provides a memorable backdrop for events in central London.
The Summit’s Industrial Strategy Zone will host a series of panels, sector-focused investment showcases and networking curated and convened in partnership with the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisers. Each discussion will showcase the outstanding science and R&D capabilities that underpin the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, its eight priority sectors and the frontier industries and critical technologies that sit within them.
Each 90-minute session will focus on a different IS8 sector, beginning with a panel discussion with outstanding speakers from industry, academia, policy and international partners. This will be followed by time for guests and participants to network with each other and meet the leaders of a small number of curated investment-ready opportunities related to that particular sector.
Featuring groundbreaking spinouts and scale-ups; innovation-driven regeneration and opportunities to forge industrial partnerships with the world-leading universities, this landmark inaugural Summit will connect discovery with investment — and innovation with impact.
Developed in partnership with UK Nations and Regions, it will showcase an extraordinary wealth of R&D investment and partnership opportunities drawn from right across the UK. It comes as the UK has launched its Modern Industrial Strategy which underpinned by the UK’s global reputation for scientific excellence, our world-leading universities and innovation that has revolutionised global industry.
The Summit’s programme will provide a festival of science, innovation and investment. Attendees will hear from outstanding speakers, take part in roundtables and network with senior representative drawn from across global science, industry and investment.
Dedicated Boardroom and meeting space for investor and partner engagements, breakfasts, lunches and other private events.
Monday 8th June – whole building
Soiree-style Welcome Reception marking the opening of the Summit – to include Ministerial remarks supported by UKRI.
This evening will also incorporate UK Nations and Regions Receptions (Upstairs Marble Hall/ Kohn Centre/ Dining Room)
Tuesday 9th June – whole building, but with restricted events between 6-8pm)
Including the UK Universities ‘Future Innovators’ Reception (Wellcome Trust Lecture, City of London Rooms and outdoors Mall Podium)
Locations: Whole building (capacity 800)
Partnership opportunities include: Reception sponsorship, Partner receptions
