Collaboration is King: Why 2025 is the year of partnerships
Founded by a team of industry veterans— Jim Odell, Justin Urquhart Stewart, Paul Newsham, Martin Taylor, Michael Mcdowell, and Tony Backhouse—Regionally Ventures is committed to bridging the funding gap for high-growth regional businesses across the UK. With 70p of every £1 traditionally invested in London, regional businesses represent a valuable, yet often overlooked, segment of the market.
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that no one succeeds alone. Real progress comes from collaboration—those meaningful partnerships that create lasting impact. As we motor through January, it’s clear to us that working together is going to be essential to unlocking the potential of the UK’s regions.
At Regionally Ventures, we think that the best opportunities emerge when investors, businesses, and stakeholders come together with a shared purpose. But what does successful collaboration look like, and how can it deliver results greater than the sum of its parts?
Co-Investing: Partnering in Investment
The future lies in breaking traditional boundaries. Agri-tech startups are transforming farming through technology and data, while healthcare collaborations with tech firms are delivering innovations such as remote diagnostics and wearable devices. These partnerships solve real-world problems and naturally attract investment.
At Regionally Ventures, partnerships are central to our approach. Co-investment—where multiple investors collaborate to fund a business—ensures diverse expertise and that resources align for stronger outcomes. Working with combined authorities further supports businesses, enabling them to ‘grow in place’ and drive regional success.
Universities: The Engines of Innovation
Universities across the UK are driving innovation in clean energy, AI, and so much more. However, turning research into commercial success can sometimes feel like an impossible leap. That’s where collaboration is key. By partnering with universities, businesses gain access to cutting-edge research, talent, and cost-effective resources, while investors help bring groundbreaking discoveries to market.
A great example is the North East’s Net Zero Innovation Centre, which connects universities, government, and private funding to push green innovation forward.
Corporate-SME Synergy:
Larger corporates and smaller businesses have much to offer each other, yet these partnerships can sometimes be overlooked. Corporates provide mentorship, networks, and resources, while SMEs bring agility, fresh ideas, and local insights.
Take the partnership between Graphic Packaging International and Morrisons. They teamed up to create a sustainable meat tray, eliminating 250 metric tons of plastic annually from Morrisons’ supply chain. Or consider Leeds-based Zenith, a leading vehicle leasing and fleet management provider, which has partnered with OVO Energy to expand OVO's fleet of electric vehicles. This collaboration involves an order for over 1,000 Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans, supporting OVO's goal of having a 100% electric fleet by 2030. Collaborations like these solve pressing challenges and set an example for others to follow.
ESG Partnerships:
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are no longer optional—they’re essential. Businesses with ESG at their core attract investors and redefine industries.
For instance, Sunswap, a clean-tech startup, partnered with logistics companies to decarbonise cold supply chain logistics. Their zero-emission refrigeration units replace traditional diesel-powered systems, significantly cutting carbon emissions while setting a new standard for sustainability. You can read more about their efforts here: https://sunswap.co.uk/
The Role of Networking:
Partnerships start with a conversation. Networking events hosted by the likes of UKBAA and Raise Ventures provide spaces for businesses and investors to connect in person, share ideas, and hopefully spark some meaningful collaborations. The results speak for themselves!
Why Collaboration Matters:
Our UK’s regions are brimming with untapped potential. To unlock that potential, we need investors, businesses, councils, universities, and others to work together in new and innovative ways. Collaboration doesn’t dilute opportunities—it amplifies them.
As we start 2025, the question isn’t why collaborate—it’s what could be possible if we do? If you share our vision for unlocking regional potential, we’d love to hear from you.