Warwick Startup Named Cleantech Startup of the Year at Midlands Awards

By Anushka Malhotra

Tech

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Quick Read: Flux Aviation, a Warwick-based startup, has been named Cleantech Startup of the Year at the Midlands StartUp Awards 2024 for its innovative electric powertrain technologies.

Warwick-based startup Flux Aviation has been honoured as the Cleantech Startup of the Year at the Midlands StartUp Awards 2024.

Flux Aviation specialises in developing electric powertrain technologies aimed at enabling zero-emission aviation for passenger and cargo aircraft on regional routes. With a mission to revolutionise aviation through electrification, Flux Aviation is a key player in fostering innovation and collaboration within the aerospace sector.

Radovan Gallo, co-founder and CEO of Flux Aviation, remarked,

"This award underscores our innovative efforts to push technological boundaries in pursuit of a more sustainable future. It also validates our mission to electrify regional aviation, cementing our role as leaders in forward-thinking aerospace solutions.”

The UK StartUp Awards were created to celebrate the achievements of startups across the UK's ten nations and regions, including the Midlands. These awards aim to recognise the contributions of entrepreneurs in various economic sectors.

Supported nationally by organisations like Starling Bank, Airwallex, Chime Agency, Development Bank of Wales, EvaBuild, ForrestBrown, GiftRound, GS1 UK, Join Talent, OVHcloud, Project Simply, ScoreApp, SFC Capital, and the Welsh Government, the awards highlight the dedication and courage required to turn an idea into a successful business.

Harriet Rees, CIO at Starling Bank, said,

“Congratulations to Flux Aviation on winning their category in the Midlands. It’s inspiring to see so many startups thrive, especially in challenging economic times.”

In 2023, over 114,000 new businesses were established in the Midlands, underscoring the growing importance of entrepreneurship to the regional economy. Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, creator of the awards, emphasised the significance of recognising the best new firms and celebrating the region’s entrepreneurial talent.

As a regional winner, Flux Aviation will advance to the UK Startup Awards final, set to take place at Ideas Fest on September 12th.

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