Sensor City Liverpool to boost tech investment with China deal

The global hub for the development of sensor technologies in Liverpool has struck a deal that could see a sister centre open in China.

The deal, which is expected to be ratified in early 2017, could pave the way for a new investment fund for UK firms operating in the field.

Sensor City is one of four government-sponsored University Enterprise Zones. The development represents a joint venture between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores.

This week, the joint venture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zhengxin Group that could see a Chinese Sensor City built in Tianjin, northeast of Beijing.

Further to the plans, Zhengxin Group would establish an investment fund to support early-stage businesses operating at Sensor City in Liverpool. The fund would likewise support Chinese student entrepreneurs in Merseyside as they develop ideas for new sensor-related tech and enterprises.

The Chinese Sensor City would also offer hands-on support for British businesses looking to expand into China.

The deal follows on from contacts made between Sensor City bosses and representatives of Zhengxin Group during the International Festival for Business 2016, held in Liverpool in June.

Sensor City’s head of business development, Dr Joanne Phoenix, said of the deal: “The signing of the MoU is the first step in what we hope will be a long-term partnership that will significantly enhance our international standing, adding a unique dimension to the enterprise eco-system which we are creating.

“It will help put Liverpool on the map as a globally important research and enterprise centre for this exciting and rapidly developing technology.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, attended the signing ceremony in Tianjin.

He said: “This is a significant step towards the fulfilment of our vision to put Liverpool at the centre of the global sensor technology industry.

“It is also an example of the very real benefits we are seeing as a result of our long-term engagement with China and our investment in the International Festival for Business.”

Zhengxin Group’s executive vice president, Zhihua Feng, commented: “The government’s approval for the joint project has ensured the two parties’ cooperation has moved to a new level.

“Tianjin has a good financial investment environment and policy support, and will provide a great help for Sensor City’s landing here.”

He added: “Tianjin is also the most important high-end manufacturing production base in northern China so offers opportunities for industry collaboration on a massive scale.”

The MoU signing came during a two-week Chinese trade visit set up by inward investment agency Invest Liverpool.

Sensor City Liverpool’s goal is to create 300 startups and 1,000 new jobs over the next decade, in addition to fostering collaborations between industry and academia.