GBCC and Amazon Launch Innovation Accelerator to Empower Local Businesses

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 36 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Amazon have launched the Amazon Innovation Accelerator, an accelerator program designed to enhance knowledge and skills for small businesses. The program focuses on innovation culture, data, digitalisation, robotics, sustainability, and social value, offering businesses direct access to Amazon's cutting-edge approaches.

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has forged a strategic partnership with Amazon to introduce the Amazon Innovation Accelerator, an ambitious program aimed at nurturing small businesses in the West Midlands. The accelerator will enroll a select cohort of up to 25 companies, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the latest trends and strategies in innovation, digitalization, and sustainability.

Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, highlighted the challenges and opportunities businesses face in staying abreast of technological advancements. "The Amazon Innovation Accelerator is a valuable opportunity for businesses in the region to gain direct access to Amazon's cutting-edge approaches to technology and innovation," she remarked.

The program's core workshops, which will cover areas such as creating an innovative culture, data utilization, robotics, and social value, will take place at Amazon's cutting-edge robotics fulfilment centre near Sutton Coldfield. This facility, operational since last year, stands as a testament to Amazon's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology in logistics.

Neil Travis, Regional Director at Amazon UK, expressed excitement about driving growth in small and medium-sized businesses through the Amazon Innovation Accelerator. "We're excited to be working with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and companies from across this region," he stated.

The accelerator is open to businesses operating in the West Midlands with a focus on manufacturing, engineering, logistics, retail, or related industries. To qualify, applicants must employ at least 50 staff members or boast a turnover exceeding £5 million. A senior member of staff from each participating business is expected to commit to the full program.

The application deadline for the Amazon Innovation Accelerator is set for May 10, creating a window for eligible businesses in the region to seize this opportunity for growth and innovation. As the program unfolds, it promises to not only equip businesses with valuable insights but also foster a culture of innovation that can propel the region's economic landscape forward.

In summary, the Greater Birmingham Chamber's collaboration with Amazon marks a significant step in providing local businesses with access to cutting-edge technological and innovative strategies, offering them a chance to thrive and contribute to the region's economic prosperity. The Amazon Innovation Accelerator stands as a beacon of collaboration and growth for the West Midlands business community.

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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