Automotive Start-Up Wins Minerva Pitch Up at Venturefest West Midlands 2025

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 52 seconds

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Quick Read: RACE Solutions has won the Minerva Pitch Up competition at Venturefest West Midlands 2025, securing funding and business support to scale its groundbreaking vehicle simulation technology.

A West Midlands-based automotive start-up that has developed the world’s first cloud-based simulation software for vehicle suspension and chassis development has won the prestigious Minerva Pitch Up competition at Venturefest West Midlands 2025.

Raoul Popescu-Ghimis, CEO of RACE Solutions, impressed a panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders at the annual innovation event, securing £3,000 in prize money and a bespoke business support package to help scale his company.

Held at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, Venturefest West Midlands brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore opportunities in science and emerging technologies. Sponsored by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and other key industry players, the event featured panel discussions, workshops, and an exhibition of cutting-edge products.

Photo: Raoul Popescu-Ghimis, Photo Credit: WMCA

A Competitive Pitch to Drive Innovation

Facing tough competition from five other finalists, Raoul emerged victorious in the Dragon’s Den-style pitch contest, hosted by Aston University’s Centre for Growth, University of Birmingham Enterprise, and Minerva Business Angels.

Raoul said:

“The competition was really intense—it was the largest audience I’ve ever pitched to. We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in our niche industry, and this win solidifies our position as market leaders.”

Founded in 2020, RACE Solutions operates from Stratford-upon-Avon, employing a core team of nine experts, with additional staff supporting its rapid growth. The company is now focused on expanding its client base, strengthening partnerships, and attracting investment to scale further.

Backing West Midlands Innovation

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker highlighted the region’s long history of innovation, stating: “For over 200 years, the West Midlands has been a hub of innovation. RACE Solutions and the other Pitch Up finalists are carrying forward that legacy.”

The Minerva Pitch Up competition has supported over 300 business leaders and received 500+ applications over the past decade. Half of its winners have been female entrepreneurs, demonstrating the programme’s commitment to fostering diverse talent in the innovation ecosystem.

This year’s finalists included Avid Health, LeicSurvey, PortalZero Ltd, WasteProjekt, and Neo Air Ltd.

Kate Angel, Head of Business Support Operations at Aston University, reflected on the event’s success:

“Pitch Up has become a vital platform for ambitious businesses, and this year’s competition was stronger than ever. We are proud to support emerging innovators and help them secure investment.”

A Growing Platform for Innovators

Venturefest West Midlands 2025 was supported by key industry sponsors, including the British Business Bank, Piece Future, the European Capital of Innovation West Midlands Partnership, and Medilink Midlands. Around 500 attendees participated in discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a premier platform for business growth and technological advancement.

What's new

DigiSpinWM Pilot Celebrates Milestone as 11 Investor-Ready Innovations Emerge in the West Midlands

The DigiSpinWM pilot programme, a bold initiative designed to accelerate the spin-out of digital and advanced manufacturing innovations in the West Midlands, has marked a key milestone with a showcase event in Birmingham, unveiling 11 investor-ready ventures developed over the past six months.

Transforming Ideas into Investment Opportunities

Backed by Research England and delivered through a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University, and Birmingham City University via the West Midlands Combined Universities, the programme set out to test a collaborative model for commercialising innovation more efficiently and effectively.

In just six months, DigiSpinWM has:

- Assessed over 40 high-potential technologies for commercial viability
- Delivered tailored support to participants on spin-out strategy and intellectual property development
- Nurtured 11 ventures to investment readiness
- Developed a shared framework for technology transfer across participating universities

The recent showcase celebrated these achievements, spotlighting innovations spanning early-stage development to near-market solutions with the potential for significant societal and economic impact.

A Regional Model for Innovation

Ceri Jones, Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Wolverhampton, reflected on the programme’s success:

The DigiSpinWM pilot has been a transformative journey. Seeing 11 investor-ready ventures emerge from such a collaborative, regional approach shows what’s possible when we unify efforts across institutions. These spinouts will drive real-world change and position the West Midlands at the forefront of digital and advanced manufacturing.

The pilot’s success is also credited to a strong ecosystem of academic mentors, business advisors, and industry reviewers who provided essential support and guidance to participants.

The showcase event featured live pitches from select ventures to an audience of investors, stakeholders, and innovation leaders, marking a key step towards unlocking the funding required to bring these innovations to market.

With the DigiSpinWM model proving its value, the programme signals a new chapter for spin-out activity in the West Midlands—one built on collaboration, shared infrastructure, and investment-ready innovation.

By Anushka Malhotra

8 Jun