The 2023 Global Innovation Index (GII) – which evaluates the top-level innovative capacity of countries and economies, and identifies local concentrations of world-leading activity – has named Cambridge as the number one S&T cluster by intensity, in relation to its size, unchanged from the 2022 Index. San Jose, San Francisco, was named second, and Oxford, UK, third.
S&T clusters are established by analysing patent-filing activity and scientific article publication, and documenting the geographical areas around the world with the highest density of inventors and scientific authors.
According to the Index – which will be published in full on September 27 – the Cambridge cluster filed 6,582 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent applications and published 37,136 scientific articles, both per 1 million inhabitants, over the past five years.
The University of Cambridge sits at the heart of the ‘Cambridge cluster’, powering world-leading research, driving a thriving ecosystem of hundreds of spinout and start-up companies, and nurturing an environment for business services and investment.
Earlier this year, a new report by leading consultants London Economics showed that the University adds nearly £30 billion to the economy every year and supports more than 86,000 jobs across the UK.
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “Cambridge is a truly extraordinary place, where leading scientists work side by side with industry and academic partners, sparking ideas and creating life-changing medicines, technologies and services. I am thrilled to see it again recognised as one of the greatest innovation hubs on the planet.”
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Chief Executive, Cambridge Enterprise, said: “It is fantastic to see this continued recognition of Cambridge’s success as the world’s most intensive science and technological cluster. The Cambridge innovation ecosystem is home to a unique and driven community of exceptional science, people, companies and partners, tackling global challenges and changing lives.”
