10158097Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (Extension)ClosedInvestment AcceleratorInnovate UKThe Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) aims to accelerate the commercial exploitation of productivity-enhancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital trust technologies in Greater Manchester (GM). The extended Innovation Accelerator project will continue to fund innovation activities with regional businesses and R&D stakeholders, as part of the Alan Turing Institute's national strategy to increase the benefit and accelerate the impact of the application of data science and AI across the UK economy and society. The project addresses recommendations from the recent AI Opportunities Action Plan which has solidified the prominence of AI innovation and adoption to aid the country's economic growth plans. The University of Manchester-led project builds on existing strengths in the city-region by bringing together leading AI-focused businesses, regional R&D organisations, accelerators, investors, and specialist skills providers. It provides businesses with access to cutting-edge R&D capabilities, high-specification premises for collaboration, innovation finance, skills training, and specialist support and advice. TIC continues to create a pipeline of commercially exploitable deep digital technologies needed for the UK to realise its ambition to be a global AI research and innovation superpower. It is accelerating the use of AI in key GM growth sectors including health innovation, advanced materials and manufacturing, creative and net zero -- all of which are critical application areas for the technology. Helping create a resilient and trusted domestic AI sector and supply chain, growing exports and protecting the UK against future threats. With an active presence in multiple places across the city-region including Sister, the University of Manchester campus and numerous town centres TIC catalyses a dynamic cluster of entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, engineers, investors, and creatives -- united by a culture of ethics, diversity, and openness -- at the heart of the north's digital economy. TIC is helping to grow emerging digital clusters across the city region, connecting local people to opportunities and creating an inclusive and diverse pipeline of AI practitioners with the technical and commercial skills demanded by industry. Using conservative assumptions, TIC will create up to 300 jobs and £49m of Gross Value Added (7:1 economic return on public investment) . It will have a long-term legacy by helping to establish the TIC as an independent and business-led digital deep tech centre of excellence.