Digital Businesses To Receive Business Support From STEAMhouse
By Sophia Tarr
3 minutes 4 seconds
Growth

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Quick Read: STEAMhouse, supported by Barclays Eagle Labs, offers funded memberships to digital SMEs, providing tools, mentoring, and events to boost the region's digital industry.
STEAMhouse are offering even more funded memberships, this time to local digital SMEs, to help them get access to the tools, technical support and mentoring they need to grow.
The funded memberships through Digital Direction are being supported by the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnerships Programme, funded by the UK Government. Through the project with Barclays Eagles Labs, digital SMEs with funded memberships will get access to exclusive events, tools, knowledge and mentoring opportunities in order to develop their skills, products and services as part of efforts to boost the region’s digital industry. The project aims to drive the creation of new products and services, jobs, and funding and investment.
Applications for these Funded Memberships (through Digital Direction) are now open to ALL applicants within the region (anywhere in the UK outside of London) looking to develop their skills and working towards boosting the region’s digital industry.
Photo Credit: STEAMhouse
It also includes access to the new Digital Labs at STEAMhouse. Following £2.5 million of investment, the 90m² specialist technology lab is designed to demystify digital innovation through hands-on experiences with the latest kit, strategic development workshops, digital skills training, and community events. Using these facilities and combining them with diagnostic and product road mapping, participants can receive bespoke support to digitise their product offering or develop new digital products.
Key equipment including 3D printers, virtual reality (VR) technology, motion capture suits and even a professional podcasting setup is all available for use thanks to the grant.
Members also get access to events that discuss topics including immersive media, AI and VR. These sessions are led by industry leaders and workshops offer an opportunity to network with other businesses and experts while providing hands-on skills development.
Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs, said:
“We are excited to announce this funding for Birmingham City University. Using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we are allocating funding to organisations that are already plugged into their national and regional ecosystems.
“Our support for Birmingham City University and similar organisations highlights our ongoing commitment to support the tech sector, which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”
For Joanna Birch, Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability at BCU, the programme is another example of positive impact STEAMhouse is having on the local economy: “The funding received through Barclays Eagle Labs will help make STEAMhouse even more accessible to local businesses across our region.
“Our membership programme is set up to encourage collaboration across industries and I’m excited to see what kind of businesses come forward to take up the paid membership offer.”
“We will we continue to champion the uptake of digital innovation in the West Midlands because it supports the growth of local businesses today and ensures our graduates have high quality career opportunities in emerging industries, available right on their doorstep.”
For more information and to apply for a funded membership, please fill in this form!
About Barclays
Barclays’ vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. They are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients and communities.
For further information about Barclays, please visit their website home.barclays.
About Barclays Eagle Labs
Eagle labs are one of the UKs largest entrepreneurial networks, providing a wealth of support to startup and scaleup businesses, particularly those that are focused on technology and innovation. Businesses can be connected to mentors, specialists and a collaborative community designed to help them on their growth journey. Eagle Labs provide these services through physical spaces across the UK, virtual support and an online network. Since launching in 2015, Eagle Labs has supported over 13,000 businesses.
The funded memberships are being delivered through a project called Digital Direction with Barclays Eagle Labs. Through the project with Barclays Eagles Labs, digital SMEs with funded memberships will get access to exclusive events, tools, knowledge and mentoring opportunities in order to develop their skills, products and services as part of efforts to boost the region’s digital industry. The project aims to drive the creation of new products and services, jobs, and funding and investment. This programme is supported by the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programmes, funded by UK Government.
What's new

West Midlands Poised to Lead UK’s AI Revolution, Says KPMG Partner

Private firms in the West Midlands are outpacing the rest of the UK in their plans to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), positioning the region at the forefront of digital innovation, according to KPMG’s Andy Bostock.
With the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan aiming to cement the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence, the West Midlands is already taking significant steps in that direction. The plan, launched earlier this year, highlights how AI can modernise public services — and private sector companies across the region are responding to the call with enthusiasm.
According to KPMG’s Private Enterprise Barometer, published in December, 83% of West Midlands private firms are planning AI investments — well above the national average of 73%.
Andy Bostock, Senior Partner at KPMG, said:
“The most successful companies are those viewing AI not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in long-term growth and resilience.”
The West Midlands, with its strong roots in engineering and manufacturing, is well-positioned to reap the benefits of AI. From optimising supply chains to enhancing talent acquisition and predictive maintenance, AI applications are already transforming business models.
A recent joint report by KPMG and UKTN found that accelerating AI adoption across manufacturing and engineering will be essential to meet the region’s tech sector goal of reaching a £100 billion valuation by 2030.
The region is home to over 300 AI-focused businesses employing more than 11,000 people, forming one of the most dynamic digital clusters in the UK. Yet, Bostock stressed that the journey is just beginning.
To fully harness AI’s potential, businesses must establish strong, adaptable data frameworks and integrate AI solutions that align with their existing operations. This includes practical tools like chatbots for customer service, predictive analytics for inventory management, and AI-driven insights for marketing and long-term planning.
Andy Bostock added:
“Real business value comes from identifying where AI can enhance existing strengths. It’s not about starting over, it’s about getting smarter.”
As the region doubles down on digital transformation, Bostock believes cutting through the AI hype and focusing on measurable outcomes will be key to unlocking its full potential.
By Anushka Malhotra
11 Apr
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