Birmingham's Tech Hub: Growth, Investment, and Collaboration Fuel Innovation

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 39 seconds

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Quick Read: Birmingham emerges as a thriving tech hub with significant growth in startups, investments, and multinational interest, bolstered by a robust talent pool and supportive ecosystem, according to industry experts and key stakeholders.

Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, is rapidly evolving into a thriving tech hub, attracting attention for its remarkable growth in startups, investments, and multinational interest. With over 2,000 tech startups and 6,000 tech businesses, the city is asserting itself as a prominent player in the tech industry landscape.

According to reports from the government and Tech Nation, the West Midlands, particularly Birmingham, witnessed the fastest-growing tech sector in the UK in both 2021 and 2022. This growth is further highlighted by a surge in venture capital investment, with 2023 marking a record level of funding for Birmingham startups, showcasing the city's increasing appeal to investors.

Rebekah Taitt, Lloyds Bank’s regional development director for Midlands, SME & Mid Corporate, commented,

"The Mission Sustainability project has given WMG students the opportunity to work and collaborate with industry leaders and experts in the latest innovative solutions and showcase their talents and skills to investigate more sustainable ways of solving tomorrow’s problems today."

Birmingham's tech ecosystem thrives on the foundation of a robust talent pool, with around 40% of the tech workforce in the West Midlands based in the city. The region's five universities contribute significantly to this talent pool, offering a diverse range of skills and expertise to fuel innovation and growth in the tech sector.

Yiannis Maos, founder and CEO of TechWM, emphasised the city's welcoming ecosystem, stating,

"Birmingham’s tech ecosystem is a special place. The ecosystem is welcoming key players from major industries as they buy into the brilliant potential that Birmingham has to offer."

The city's industrial legacy also plays a crucial role in its tech development, with a history of innovation and manufacturing excellence. Today, Birmingham continues to lead in various sectors, including medtech, fintech, digital marketing, and gaming, with 25% of the UK's gaming sector based in or around the city.

Collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders is essential for realizing Birmingham's tech potential. Zephaniah Chukwudum, director, Local Government, Microsoft UK, emphasised the importance of such collaboration, stating,

"By harnessing the strengths and expertise of each sector, Birmingham can pave the way for a future where technology not only propels business success but also fosters positive societal transformation."

With a vibrant tech sector and a collaborative ecosystem, Birmingham is poised to continue its ascent as a leading tech hub, driving innovation, economic growth, and societal impact.

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What's new

School of Coding Secures Investment to Launch UK’s First AI Learning Lab in Birmingham

A fast-growing West Midlands digital training firm has secured a six-figure investment to launch what it claims will be the UK’s first AI Learning Lab, supporting regional upskilling and job creation.

The School of Coding, founded in Wolverhampton, has received backing from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II), via fund manager Frontier Development Capital (FDC). The funding will be used to fit out its new central Birmingham tech hub, expected to create 50 new jobs within the next year.

Founded in 2017, the company delivers digital skills education to both young people and professionals, offering courses in cybersecurity, software development, AI, health tech, and digital entrepreneurship. It also runs nationwide coding classes for children and works with schools, councils, and education providers.

The new lab will act as a centre for innovation and learning, equipping individuals and businesses with practical skills to adopt AI technologies responsibly and effectively.

Photo Credit: School of Coding

Manny Athwal, founder and CEO of School of Coding, said:

“AI is here to stay, and we want to help people use it ethically and productively. This new hub in Birmingham will democratise access to digital education and support both personal and business growth in the tech economy. We see this as the first of many tech hubs across the UK.”

The company now operates in 17 countries, with offices in Telford, Dublin, and India, employing nearly 300 people worldwide, including 95 in the UK.

This latest investment builds on a previous round from MEIF in 2023, reinforcing the British Business Bank’s commitment to supporting scale-up businesses in tech and innovation.

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said:

“We’re proud to support a business that's actively addressing the digital skills gap and championing innovation. This second round of funding demonstrates MEIF II’s mission to back high-growth firms driving change.”

Ryan Cartwright, of Frontier Development Capital, added:

“Manny and his team are creating real impact through digital education. We’re excited to support the UK’s first AI Learning Lab – a step that will help more regional businesses benefit from emerging technologies.”

By Anushka Malhotra

23 Apr

An image of the outside of selfridges in birmingham from below looking up. You can see the iconic silver circles with the blue background of the building and the sky on a sunny day

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