One To Win: £1mn Pledged To Winning Pitch From West Midlands Start-Up
By East Village
Press Release

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Quick Read: A ground-breaking £1 million pitch competition is launching in the West Midlands, solidifying the region’s position as a powerhouse in the tech sector. Aimed at uncovering the region's most promising start-up business, One to Win is spearheaded by The Rigby Group, SCC, Haatch, and the West Midlands Co-Invest Fund (delivered through Midven, part of Future Planet Capital), and boasts the largest single prize for any pitch competition in the UK.
The brand-new One to Win competition was launched within London Tech Week by TechWM and a cohort of leading stakeholders, at the Mathys and Squire LLP offices in The Shard, London. Applications open on the 1st of July: shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to pitch for the prize during Birmingham Tech Week on Wednesday 23 October with the winner announced two days later on Friday 25 October.
Powered by TechWM, One to Win will showcase the region's vibrant and thriving tech sector on the national stage. The unprecedented £1 million cash injection prize money will be awarded to a West Midlands business that’s demonstrating game-changing innovation and is on track for further impressive growth.
The initiative will also support those from the region who don’t meet the entry criteria, offering alternative support: including opportunities for trade missions; investor connections; access to mentors and workshops; guidance on accelerators and incubators; and links to corporate innovation programmes.
Backed by leading investors, stakeholders, and key tech players, the pitch competition demonstrates the belief in the region’s ability to become a global tech superpower.
Yiannis Maos MBE, CEO of TechWM said:
“The One to Win is the culmination of everything we’re doing to nurture, platform, and develop the fantastic tech scene here in the West Midlands. All parties involved share the belief that the region is the sleeping giant of the tech landscape, and we’ve been working incredibly hard to let the world know what it has to offer.
“Groundbreaking initiatives and competitions like One to Win are brilliant opportunities to further showcase the wonderful work going on in the region, and thanks to the generous backing of our fantastic stakeholders, partners, and sponsors, we’re able to give one talented start-up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive the biggest pitch competition prize in the UK – an incredible step forward for both the worthy winner and the region as a whole.”
Steve Rigby, Co CEO of Rigby Group said:
“The West Midlands has all the qualities needed to become a leading tech powerhouse. My family business, Rigby Group, is the second largest private company in the West Midlands, while our technology business, SCC, is the largest tech company in the region. We are enormously proud of our roots and are delighted to support TechWM and their work to put our home region on the global stage. I very much believe One to Win will shine a light on our home grown tech talent and provide game changing support to the winning business.”
The One to Win competition is open for expressions of interest from 12 June and opens for applications on 1July. To express you interest and to find out more, visit http://www.onetowin.co.uk/
What's new

WM5G and TechWM launch Internet of things + 5G Special Interest Group to accelerate economic growth through tech adoption

Hot on the heels of Birmingham Tech Week, WM5G – the connectivity innovation business – and TechWM – the voice for the West Midlands tech ecosystem – are delighted to announce the launch of the Internet of things + 5G Special Interest Group (SIG).
Wide-scale adoption of 5G, IoT and data/AI amongst businesses and public services has vast potential to drive economic growth – with forecast potential to add over £40 Billion - £160 Billion GVA to the UK economy in the next decade according to a recent report commissioned by the Government.
The West Midlands is brilliantly positioned to scale business adoption of 5G, IoT and data/AI for four key reasons:
- First the region has undisputed strengths in key sectors that these technologies will transform – including manufacturing, health and transport;
- Second the region has the best 5G and gigabit broadband coverage with over 95% of the region’s population and premises covered – thanks to WM5G;
- Third the West Midlands has the fastest growing tech ecosystem in the UK – led by TechWM – comprising many successful high-growth tech companies;
- Fourth the region is already leading pioneering adoption programmes; including the £4m 5G Innovation Regions programme led by WM5G with JLR in manufacturing and three major Local Authorities for social care.
The SIG will bring together business leaders, local authorities and technology providers to raise awareness and accelerate commercial uptake of 5G-enabled and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions focusing initially on the manufacturing and health & care sectors.
Robert Franks, Managing Director of WM5G, said: “Scaling business adoption of 5G, IoT and data/AI is imperative to accelerate economic growth, transform public services and help create more skilled jobs. The 5G & IoT SIG will provide an independent, open-to-all technology ecosystem where industry leaders can work together to develop connectivity-powered initiatives to realise this exciting potential. We’re excited to be working with TechWM to galvanise the tech ecosystem around this opportunity.”
Companies interested in the 5G/IoT SIG should contact WM5G at:
www.wm5G.org.uk/contact-us
By Elizabeth Laidler
28 Oct