Submission of Evidence: The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Inquiry

I am Professor of Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Development at the University of Hertfordshire, with extensive experience leading and evaluating mission-oriented SME innovation programmes, notably the SHAKE Climate Change programme, a focused accelerator fostering agri-tech solutions for climate resilience. My research explores how selective, judgment-based mechanisms within accelerators enhance commercialisation and scalability. This submission explicitly aligns with the UK Government's Plan for Change, particularly its emphasis on clearly defined missions to drive national progress in science, innovation, and technology. Drawing from my recent scholarly work, international comparative analyses (specifically insights from Canada, Vietnam, and Malaysia [with colleagues]), and the latest Climate Change Committee (CCC) 2025 report, I offer recommendations to effectively operationalise the government's strategic objectives, directly addressing the Committee's areas of interest, including bridging the 'Valley of Death', leveraging government policy levers, enhancing cross-government coordination, and integrating international best practices.