Mayor Andy Street Unveils Plans for 'FutureFest' to Propel West Midlands Tech Sector

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute

Investment

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Quick Read: Mayor Andy Street unveils plans for 'FutureFest', a tech festival aiming to boost the West Midlands' global tech presence, attract investment, and foster innovation.

In an ambitious move to position the West Midlands as a global hub for technology and innovation, Mayor Andy Street has revealed plans for 'FutureFest', a pioneering tech festival set to rival the renowned South by Southwest event in Texas. The initiative aims to spotlight the region's burgeoning tech industry, valued at over £15.3 billion, and attract international investment and talent.

Photo: Harpal Mattu, Paul Tomlinson, Ben Ward, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Photo Credit: Business Live

The announcement comes as the West Midlands asserts its prominence in the UK's tech landscape, boasting the fastest-growing tech sector in the country. Mayor Street envisions FutureFest as a catalyst for showcasing the region's advancements in technology, digital, music, and TV, while also serving as a platform to forge invaluable global connections.

AI Generated Image of Future Fest

At the heart of FutureFest lies a commitment to innovation and collaboration, with Mayor Street emphasising the festival's role in spotlighting the West Midlands' transformational journey from the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution to a trailblazer in the next wave of industrial evolution. The event aims to underscore the region's attractiveness as a base for tech firms, drawing attention to its vibrant ecosystem and potential for growth.

While specifics regarding dates and venues are yet to be confirmed, the announcement signals Mayor Street's proactive approach to driving economic growth and prosperity in the region. With the upcoming mayoral election looming, the unveiling of FutureFest underscores a strategic vision to harness the West Midlands' immense potential and solidify its position on the global tech stage.

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