Promoting geospatial insight to drive innovation and growth

Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) and the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) have announced a partnership to promote the benefits of using geospatial information in a wide-range of sectors.

The agreement sees AGI become a key partner of KTN’s new Geospatial Insights Special Interest Group (SIG) which supports the geospatial community to accelerate innovation and grow the UK economy.

AGI Chair Matt Leaver said: “Our aim is to maximise the use of geographic information for the benefit of all and our members have a wealth of expertise in using geospatial insight to drive profitability and productivity. We are therefore delighted to collaborate with KTN and look forward to helping the SIG community to unlock the power of geographic data and associated new technologies in key sectors such as infrastructure, finance, agri-food, transport and health.”

Geospatial Insights SIG co-lead, Luca Budello said: “I am super excited to start this collaboration with AGI to support each other, and the whole geospatial community, to meet the challenges and opportunities to grow the sector and realise its full potential.”

“With its long 30 year history, the AGI is well poised to support the sector as it matures, and the collaboration with the Geospatial Insights SIG can only lead to further our shared ambition to bring Geospatial intelligence at the forefront of the innovation challenge.”

Through cross-sector and multidisciplinary workshops and events, the Geospatial Insights SIG will explore how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality interact with location and earth observation data to grow the economy and realise societal impact. AGI will use its extensive network, including its newsletter and other member communications, to support KTN in promoting its technology workshops, cross sector events, investment training programmes, maths study groups and company consultations.

The AGI is the UK’s largest membership organisation for the geospatial sector with over 1000 individual, student and corporate members. It was founded to influence, inform and act on behalf of its members and to maximise the use of geographic information (GI) for the benefit of all.

The Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) helps businesses get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries, to strengthen the UK economy and improve people’s lives. As a network partner of Innovate UK, KTN links new ideas and opportunities with expertise, markets and finance through our network of businesses, universities, funders and investors. From agri-food to autonomous systems and from energy to design, KTN combines in-depth knowledge in all sectors with the ability to cross boundaries. Connecting with KTN can lead to potential partners, horizon-expanding events, bespoke support and innovation insights.