BNP Paribas Personal Finance and SuperTech Launch Innovation Lab to Tackle Financial Data Challenges

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute

Growth

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Quick Read: BNP Paribas Personal Finance and SuperTech launch the Innovation Lab in collaboration with STEAMhouse, inviting SMEs with digital tech solutions to address data-led challenges in the financial services sector. The program offers a fully funded opportunity for comprehensive support, mentorship, and collaboration with industry experts, aiming to revolutionize the banking and financial sector.

Partnership with STEAMhouse Offers SMEs a Platform to Revolutionize Financial Services

In a bid to address data-led challenges within the financial services sector, BNP Paribas Personal Finance has joined forces with SuperTech to unveil the Innovation Lab. The initiative, in collaboration with STEAMhouse, aims to foster innovation in financial technology, encouraging SMEs with digital tech solutions to participate.

The focus of this year's challenge revolves around harnessing external data and insights to elevate engagement with financial services customers. BNP Paribas Personal Finance, along with SuperTech, invites SMEs to apply, irrespective of their current market presence, with a willingness to be physically present in Birmingham, West Midlands, for key program touchpoints.

Successful applicants will enjoy a host of benefits, including a flexible co-working space at STEAMhouse, mentorship from senior financial services experts, investment pitch opportunities, and personalized 1:1 support. The program culminates in a showcase opportunity during BNP Paribas' "Innovation Week in May 2024."

Stephen Hunt, CEO of BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the importance of embracing new ideas to deliver better products and solutions for customers.

The Innovation Lab represents a collaborative effort to accelerate fintech innovation, leveraging the insights and support provided by a global financial services brand. With the application window open until February 23, 2024, interested SMEs can visit SuperTech's website for more information and to apply.

What's new

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Unlocks Nearly £50M in Private Investment

The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), led by the University of Birmingham, has generated an impressive £49.4 million in private co-investment within its first two years, significantly surpassing its original £14.5 million public funding allocation.

Funded through the Innovation Accelerator programme, coordinated by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Research and Innovation, WMHTIA has become a leading force in advancing health technology innovation across the region.

The majority of the private investment—£36.3 million—was directly committed by investors to enterprises supported by the Accelerator. This achievement represents a threefold return on the initial public investment, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the region’s health tech sector.

Powering Health Innovation Through Collaboration

The WMHTIA brings together 21 partners from academia, industry, and the NHS to help healthtech companies develop, validate, and commercialise cutting-edge medical technologies. So far, companies supported through the programme have also secured an additional £10 million in national public grants from agencies including NIHR, Eureka, and Innovate UK.

Including both public and private contributions, the total investment leveraged by WMHTIA now stands at £67.3 million.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham:

We’re proud to support startups through the riskiest stages of innovation so more life-saving technologies reach patients. This exceptional investment proves what’s possible when academia, the NHS, and industry work together to drive economic growth and better health outcomes.

In March 2025, the Innovation Accelerator programme was extended with a further £30 million, including £4 million for the WMHTIA to continue supporting the region’s innovators in 2025/26.

Backing the Future of Health Tech

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

The West Midlands is leading medical tech innovation—from faster diagnoses to shorter hospital stays. Healthtech isn’t just improving lives; it’s creating secure, high-value jobs that drive inclusive growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director of Place and Global, Innovate UK:

This programme shows how place-based innovation can unlock greater business investment in R&D. By connecting the region’s strengths, we’re creating high-value jobs and building globally significant innovation capability.

The WMHTIA continues to strengthen the region’s reputation as a national hub for health technology, with far-reaching benefits for patient care, job creation, and regional economic development.

By Anushka Malhotra

24 Jun