Empowering Small Businesses with £100 Million Innovation Hub

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 35 seconds

Investment

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Quick Read: A £100 million investment in the Innovation Accelerator program establishes an innovation hub at University College Birmingham, aiming to empower small businesses in the West Midlands. Focused on Industry 4.0 and sustainability, the hub offers tailored support, apprenticeships, and cyber security services, signaling a strategic move to fortify regional businesses against evolving challenges and foster digital resilience.

In a transformative move for regional businesses, the Innovation Accelerator program has allocated £100 million to establish an innovation hub at University College Birmingham. Primed to assist manufacturing and construction enterprises in embracing cutting-edge technologies, the hub, centered on Industry 4.0, forms a vital component of the West Midlands' growth strategy.

The Innovation Accelerator program, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and operational until 2025, seeks to address a critical industry priority—empowering smaller, high-need businesses with digital tools to enhance their operations. At the core of this initiative is the commitment to foster Industry 4.0 adoption, considered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence into production line automation.

The Innovation Hubs, part of this ambitious program, extend beyond conventional offerings, intending to bridge the gap for businesses grappling with Industry 4.0 technology adoption. Tailored apprenticeships, bootcamps, and bespoke training will be developed in collaboration with employers, building on the existing foundation of business engagement between colleges and employers.

A critical focus of the Innovation Hub at University College Birmingham is sustainability, reflecting the region's commitment to environmentally conscious business practices. With a dedicated Centre for Sustainable Construction, the University aims to guide businesses in leveraging advanced tools to address sustainability challenges.

Moreover, in the face of an escalating threat landscape, the hub will provide essential support against cyber-attacks. Recognizing the urgency for businesses to fortify their cyber defenses, the Innovation Hub will offer services focused on cyber security preparation and identifying training needs.

Rosa Wells, FE Principal and Dean of STEM, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the evolving role of Further Education Colleges within the innovation ecosystem. The initiative not only positions these colleges as education providers but also recognizes their potential as integral components of the broader innovation landscape.

The pilot's success will be gauged by the adoption of services and support offered by the Innovation Hubs, with a focus on businesses integrating the available technologies. The Collaborative College group will actively seek feedback from businesses, ensuring continued support beyond the project's duration through consultation with and support from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

This ambitious project signals a collaborative effort to catalyze innovation, showcasing the pivotal role of education institutions in driving economic transformation and fostering digital resilience in businesses.

What's new

CreaTech Frontiers Launch Unlocks £250K in Funding for West Midlands Creative Innovators

Creative SMEs in the West Midlands are being given a major boost with the launch of CreaTech Frontiers, a new innovation cluster that has opened applications for the first £250,000 round of grant funding.

The programme, which offers individual grants of up to £10,000, is designed to help freelancers and small creative businesses develop groundbreaking ideas at the intersection of creativity and technology. The funding forms part of a £7.2 million, five-year initiative led by a consortium of regional powerhouses including Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the UK Research and Innovation's Creative Industries Cluster Programme.

Photo Credit: University of Warwick

Officially launched on April 29 at STEAMhouse, BCU’s innovation centre, CreaTech Frontiers marks the first time the West Midlands has received funding through this prestigious national scheme.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers, said:

“These early-stage grants will give creative entrepreneurs access not just to capital, but also to university-led research and resources that can turn ambitious ideas into reality. This is about unlocking cultural, social and economic value across the region.”

CreaTech Frontiers is aiming to ignite a wave of innovation in sectors like gaming, immersive tech, live performance, visual arts, and creative technologies. Successful applicants will also gain access to facilities across the five partner institutions, along with specialist academic support during the R&D phase.

Future plans include a second, larger round of grant funding, a pilot with Birmingham Opera Company, collaborative projects with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the formation of an apprenticeship working group to support skills development.

Rachel Davis, Director of Warwick Enterprise, said:

“Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening the region’s identity as a creative and tech innovation hub. With a shared focus on inclusion and sustainability, CreaTech Frontiers will ensure diverse voices are at the forefront of this growing ecosystem.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority is also backing the initiative, which it believes could contribute £65 million and create 1,500 jobs by 2030 within the regional creative and gaming economy.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added:

“Our region is full of bold, young thinkers pushing the boundaries of tech and creativity. CreaTech Frontiers connects these minds with the world-class research coming out of our universities, creating the conditions for global impact.”

Applications open Monday 2 June 2025.

Interested SMEs can register now

to be part of the next generation of CreaTech pioneers.

By Anushka Malhotra

2 May