West Midlands Innovation Accelerator Secures £10M Boost to Power Regional Growth

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 31 seconds

Investment

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Quick Read: The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator has secured an additional £10M in funding to back breakthrough technologies, support entrepreneurs, and grow the region’s innovation economy.

A fresh £10 million funding boost has been secured for the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, unlocking even more support for local entrepreneurs, researchers, and cutting-edge businesses developing the technologies of tomorrow.

Mayor Richard Parker announced that the West Midlands is one of just three UK regions—alongside Greater Manchester and Glasgow—to benefit from a £30 million national fund, secured from government in partnership with Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Photo: Dipa Patel, Richard Parker and Dean Cook, Photo Credit: West Midlands Combined Authority

The accelerator, managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has already delivered remarkable results. Since launching, it has supported more than 700 businesses, leveraged £70 million in additional private investment, and helped create and sustain hundreds of local jobs. It focuses on supercharging innovation in advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies, diagnostics, and the transition to net zero.

Mayor Parker highlighted the region’s rich industrial heritage and bold future vision:

“From James Watt’s steam engine to the UK’s first petrol car, the West Midlands has always been a place of invention. Today, we’re shaping the future with 5G, medical technologies and clean energy. This new £10 million investment will fuel the region’s next wave of breakthroughs, supporting my Growth for Everyone plan and making sure innovation drives prosperity across every community.”

One of the businesses benefitting from the accelerator is Enable Design, whose founders Anil and Dipa Patel have developed an innovative, adjustable wheelchair seating system that evolves with a person’s posture and growth—one example of the high-impact innovation the region is nurturing.

The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator is part of a wider Innovation Accelerator (IA) programme, co-designed by Innovate UK and regional leaders. The national initiative is intended to transform key city regions into global R&D powerhouses by combining local insight with national strategy.

Dean Cook, executive director for place and global at Innovate UK, said:

“This pilot proves what’s possible when national expertise meets local knowledge. It’s already improving healthcare, infrastructure and sustainability outcomes—and with this new round of funding, the impact will only grow.”

This latest investment adds to over £100 million previously committed to the IA programme, cementing the West Midlands’ place as one of the UK’s most exciting hubs for innovation-led growth.

What's new

School of Coding Secures Investment to Launch UK’s First AI Learning Lab in Birmingham

A fast-growing West Midlands digital training firm has secured a six-figure investment to launch what it claims will be the UK’s first AI Learning Lab, supporting regional upskilling and job creation.

The School of Coding, founded in Wolverhampton, has received backing from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II), via fund manager Frontier Development Capital (FDC). The funding will be used to fit out its new central Birmingham tech hub, expected to create 50 new jobs within the next year.

Founded in 2017, the company delivers digital skills education to both young people and professionals, offering courses in cybersecurity, software development, AI, health tech, and digital entrepreneurship. It also runs nationwide coding classes for children and works with schools, councils, and education providers.

The new lab will act as a centre for innovation and learning, equipping individuals and businesses with practical skills to adopt AI technologies responsibly and effectively.

Photo Credit: School of Coding

Manny Athwal, founder and CEO of School of Coding, said:

“AI is here to stay, and we want to help people use it ethically and productively. This new hub in Birmingham will democratise access to digital education and support both personal and business growth in the tech economy. We see this as the first of many tech hubs across the UK.”

The company now operates in 17 countries, with offices in Telford, Dublin, and India, employing nearly 300 people worldwide, including 95 in the UK.

This latest investment builds on a previous round from MEIF in 2023, reinforcing the British Business Bank’s commitment to supporting scale-up businesses in tech and innovation.

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said:

“We’re proud to support a business that's actively addressing the digital skills gap and championing innovation. This second round of funding demonstrates MEIF II’s mission to back high-growth firms driving change.”

Ryan Cartwright, of Frontier Development Capital, added:

“Manny and his team are creating real impact through digital education. We’re excited to support the UK’s first AI Learning Lab – a step that will help more regional businesses benefit from emerging technologies.”

By Anushka Malhotra

23 Apr

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