Birmingham Innovation Quarter Aims to Drive Inclusive Growth and Boost Regional Innovation

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 49 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: The Birmingham Innovation Quarter, led by Aston University and Bruntwood SciTech, aims to boost economic growth in Health, Green, and Financial Tech while connecting underserved communities to new opportunities in Birmingham's innovation ecosystem.

Aston University and Bruntwood SciTech have officially highlighted the ambitious goals of Birmingham Innovation Quarter (B-IQ), a new hub poised to drive economic growth and technological advancement in Birmingham. At the recent "Birmingham Innovation Quarter: Innovation for Inclusive Growth" event held at Enterprise Wharf during Birmingham Tech Week, leaders from industry, academia, and policy gathered to discuss the potential impact of this major regional initiative.

As the largest regional tech festival in the UK, Birmingham Tech Week attracts key players across sectors, creating a platform to showcase regional tech development. The Birmingham Innovation Quarter, a collaboration between Aston University, Bruntwood SciTech, and Birmingham City Council, aims to solidify the West Midlands as a leader in Health Tech, Green Tech, and Financial and Professional Services, while also helping connect underserved communities to Birmingham’s growing innovation landscape.

Fostering Inclusive Growth through Innovation

Professor Mike Caine, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Aston University, shared how B-IQ aligns with the university's strengths in research and its commitment to community impact.

“Birmingham Innovation Quarter is a bold initiative that will elevate and regenerate this part of the city and the wider West Midlands region,”

Professor Caine said, adding that the project is central to the university's 2030 strategy, focusing on generating socio-economic benefits through impactful research and enterprise.

Professor Gurpreet Singh Jagpal, Chief Commercial Officer at Aston University, emphasised the goal of aligning university research and enterprise with strategic partnerships to support sustainable R&D growth.

"Together, we aim to make Birmingham and the West Midlands the first choice for global organisations seeking growth in pioneering sectors.”

Photo Credit: Aston University

Bringing Innovation to the Community

Beyond technological advancement, B-IQ is strategically designed to link some of Birmingham's most economically challenged areas with the innovation and economic opportunities emerging in the city. The vision is for B-IQ to serve as a bridge that fosters inclusivity, ensuring that the benefits of economic development and innovation extend to all parts of Birmingham.

Rob Valentine, regional director of Bruntwood SciTech, discussed the economic opportunities B-IQ will bring to the local community, aiming to attract investment and boost business occupancy in the area. “Birmingham Innovation Quarter will focus on enhancing the local area, attracting investment, and drawing tenants to Bruntwood’s latest development,” he said, underlining the role of B-IQ in making Birmingham a top choice for growth-focused organisations.

As B-IQ continues to develop, Aston University and Bruntwood SciTech aim to solidify Birmingham’s reputation as a dynamic hub for science, technology, and enterprise, positioning the West Midlands as a center of inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

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