Liverpool unveiled as global City of Innovation finalist
Source: The Business Desk - Neil Hodgson
Liverpool has been shortlisted for the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) inaugural ‘City of Innovation’ award, alongside 14 other cities.
Launched for the first time in 2026, the award aims to recognise visionary cities, not only for what they have already accomplished, but for the bold pledges they make to foster innovation and creativity over the coming year.
Open to cities across all 194 WIPO Member States, Liverpool has today (September 21) been named as one of 15 finalists in the running for this world-first title.
The shortlisting recognises Liverpool and the wider city region as a beacon of innovation and creativity on an international stage, driving economic growth through unlocking citizens’ creative potential, fostering active participation in shaping its communities’ future, and inspiring other municipalities to do the same.
Led by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, and Sci-Tech Daresbury, Liverpool’s ‘City of Innovation’ bid pledges to apply a “smart specialisation” approach to future innovation-led growth, maximising the region’s distinctive capabilities to solve societal challenges, both locally and globally.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I’ve long said that we’re the UK’s innovation capital – and being named as one of just 15 finalists for WIPO’s first ever City of Innovation award goes to show that we’re recognised for that on a global stage, too.
“From life sciences and AI to advanced manufacturing and our creative industries, we’ve got some of the brightest minds in the world working here and turning brilliant ideas into real world solutions.”
He added: “We’ve already been recognised as one of Europe’s most innovative cities, and this is now another sign that Liverpool and our wider city region are gaining the international recognition we deserve.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council and cabinet member for public service innovation, said: “Liverpool does things differently and is known across the world for being a city of firsts.
“Thanks to the vast amount of research and development undertaken within the Liverpool city region by university academics, entrepreneurial spin-outs, and large multinationals, the levels of innovation and intellectual property generated here has resulted in the region becoming a powerhouse for global solutions, driving high-value economic growth, and establishing Liverpool as a premier international hub for health and life sciences, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing.”
Today’s announcement comes fresh off the back of Liverpool being named as the third most innovative city in Europe, having been crowned as a finalist in the iCapital ‘European Capital of Innovation’ awards in December 2025.
Colin Sinclair, chair of Invest Liverpool City Region Partnership Taskforce and KQ Liverpool, said: “Innovation-led growth is central to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Local Growth Plan, with key clusters like the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district and Sci-Tech Daresbury spearheading the region’s capacity to generate, commercialise, and scale high-value IP.
“Being named as a finalist in the WIPO awards will further enhance Liverpool’s international reputation as a place for innovation, which in turn will attract more inward investment, encourage entrepreneurialism, and boost opportunities for the entire city region.”
The 15 WIPO ‘City of Innovation’ finalists were selected by an international, independent jury panel of high profile individuals within the cultural, creative, and urban planning sectors, with vast experience of working with communities and fostering innovation-driven development.
The winner(s) will be announced at an awards ceremony at WIPO headquarters in Geneva on October 12, 2026.
The 15 finalists are: Charleroi, Belgium; Shanghai, China; Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram, India; Amman, Jordan; Bergish Municipality/Irbid, Jordan; Astana, Kazakhstan; Tetouan and Rabat, Morocco; Echague, Philippines; Municipality of Caldas da Rainha, Portugal; Moscow, Russian Federation; Mueang Lamphun and Roi Et, Thailand; Liverpool, UK.
In December 2025 Liverpool narrowly missed out in its bid to be crowned European Capital of Innovation 2026.
If it had won it would have been the first UK city to win the award.
It was up against two other contenders, Grenoble Alpes Métropole and Rotterdam for the final stage which was announced in Turin – the then European Capital of Innovation – on December 4.
The winner was announced as Grenoble Alpes Métropole, followed by Rotterdam, with Liverpool placed third.