Innovation and Funding Conference Ignites West Midlands' Manufacturing and Tech Sectors

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 20 seconds

Tech

Share:

Quick Read: The inaugural Innovation Funding and Support Conference at Birmingham's STEAMhouse ignites West Midlands' manufacturing and tech sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation.

The inaugural Innovation Funding and Support Conference, hosted at Birmingham's STEAMhouse on April 5th, has concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone for the manufacturing, engineering, and technology sectors in the West Midlands.

The event, which drew approximately 200 businesses and featured 20 exhibitors, was organised in collaboration with WMG and the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), with the aim of bolstering the region's research, development, and innovation landscape.

Dr. Richard Fallon, CEO of the Technology Supply Chain (TSC), hailed the conference's success, emphasising its role in fostering innovation-driven economic growth.

"This conference showcases the innovative spirit of the West Midlands, bringing together leaders in manufacturing, engineering, and technology to drive competitiveness on a global scale," remarked Dr. Fallon.

Photo Credit: STEAMhouse

Keynote speakers, including industry stalwarts Jo Birch, Prof Paul Cadman, Charlie Blakemore, Rowan Crozier MBE, Chris Greenough, Melissa Snover, Dr Paul Milne, and Richard Parker, shared insights on innovation, talent engagement, and leveraging technology in manufacturing.

Notably, Charlie Blakemore, CEO of Intercity, shared his four-decade journey of innovation in defence and aviation, while Rowan Crozier MBE highlighted the transformative impact of Innovate UK grants on his firm, Brandauer.

Melissa Snover, founder of Nourished, a Birmingham-based trailblazer in 3D-printed personalised vitamins, underscored the supportive ecosystem of the West Midlands in facilitating her company's rapid growth.

The conference also featured dynamic panel discussions led by industry experts such as Johnathan Dudley, Rachel Eade, and Naomi Nash, exploring innovation in manufacturing and business.

Dr. Liam Grover of WMHTIA spotlighted the accelerator's pivotal role in driving innovation and commercial success in the region's health tech sector, opening new avenues for growth.

The Innovation Funding and Support Conference has set a new standard for collaboration and innovation in the West Midlands, reaffirming the region's commitment to nurturing a vibrant manufacturing and technology ecosystem. It serves as an inspirational platform for local businesses seeking to embark on the path of innovation and expansion.

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