Runway East Launches Birmingham Hub: A Nexus for Tech Innovation and Growth

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 22 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Embracing Birmingham's dynamic tech ecosystem, Runway East unveils its latest workspace hub at the Arca building in Temple Row. With 20,000 sq ft designed for collaboration, this expansion marks a decade of commitment to nurturing the UK's tech community. As Runway East reimagines workspaces, the £5.5 million refurbishment promises not just offices but a vibrant ecosystem fostering innovation, community, and the future of tech in Birmingham.

Birmingham welcomes a new haven for tech innovators as Runway East expands its footprint to the vibrant city. Nestled in the Arca building at Temple Row, this 20,000 sq ft hub is not just a workspace; it's a catalyst for collaboration and growth in Birmingham's thriving tech scene.

Choosing Birmingham aligns with the city's momentum under the Big City Plan, making it an ideal backdrop for Runway East's vision. The Arca building, set to undergo a £5.5 million refurbishment by Oval Real Estate, is more than a space; it's a curated environment where ideas flourish. From rooftop terraces for rejuvenation to breakout spaces fostering spontaneous collaboration, every corner is designed for the modern tech entrepreneur.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024, Runway East brings not just experience but a profound commitment to the UK's tech ecosystem. Originating as a tech collective in London, Runway East has evolved into a community builder and a supporter of dreams. CEO Natasha Guerra's excitement about Birmingham echoes a shared belief in the city's potential. The hub accommodates teams of various sizes, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity in fostering innovation.

The Arca building's refurbishment is not merely cosmetic; it's a strategic move to create an ecosystem supporting work-life balance, sustainability, and innovation. Beyond amenities like cycle storage and showers, the emphasis is on cultivating a community. As the summer opening approaches, anticipation builds not just for physical spaces but for the collaborations and breakthroughs that will shape Birmingham's tech narrative.

Runway East's Birmingham expansion transcends business; it's a pivotal moment in Birmingham's tech evolution. In a city reinventing itself, this workspace hub emerges as a nexus for the next generation of tech pioneers. As the doors open this summer, Birmingham stands on the brink of a remarkable fusion of space, community, and innovation.

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