West Midlands Partners with South Korea’s Ulsan to Accelerate Innovation and Support Start-Ups

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 45 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: The West Midlands has formed new partnerships with Ulsan, South Korea, to drive innovation, support start-ups, and exchange knowledge in tech and clean energy fields.

In a strategic move to drive innovation and support start-ups, the West Midlands has signed collaboration agreements with Ulsan Creative Economy & Innovation Center (UCCEI) and Ulsan Technopark in South Korea. These partnerships, formalised during Birmingham Tech Week, are part of the UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins and DIATOMIC programs, led by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The initiatives, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology and Innovate UK, aim to leverage the synergies between the West Midlands and Ulsan, especially in areas such as clean energy, technology development, and industrial growth. Research from the Innovation Twins Program identified Birmingham and Ulsan as ideal partners due to their shared industrial strengths and complementary economic goals.

Key Objectives of the New Partnerships

The memorandums of understanding (MoUs) outline various strategic goals, including:

Creating a Global Network: Tech West Midlands and UCCEI will work to establish an international network of tech clusters, promoting knowledge exchange, innovation, and best practices across borders.

Supporting Start-Up Ecosystems: Both regions aim to support start-ups by facilitating talent exchange, fostering technological development, and enhancing global competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Advancing Clean Energy and Sustainability: The partnership with Ulsan Technopark focuses on joint efforts in clean energy and sustainable tech development, supporting each region’s commitment to carbon neutrality.

Regional Leaders Comment on the Collaboration

Alex Weedon, Executive Director of SME Engagement at Connected Places Catapult, emphasised the importance of international cooperation, stating,

“Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Only by working together...can we effectively support our start-up communities and nurture the technologies of the future.”

Yiannis Maos MBE, CEO and Founder of Tech West Midlands, sees the MoUs as key to empowering SMEs.

“This collaboration will provide tools and opportunities for SMEs in Birmingham and Ulsan to innovate and expand globally,”

Representatives from Ulsan also highlighted the potential for growth. Lee Jinkyung, Global Strategy Team Lead at UCCEI, remarked,

“We believe this partnership will allow Ulsan start-ups to directly connect with Birmingham’s innovation ecosystem, creating synergy that can foster global market expansion.”

Similarly, Cho Young-shin, President of Ulsan Technopark, noted that the MoU will allow both cities to lead in clean energy and sustainable technologies, supporting shared goals of carbon neutrality and energy efficiency.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for the West Midlands as it builds stronger global connections, fostering a collaborative environment where both Birmingham and Ulsan can exchange expertise and further their innovation capabilities.

What's new

West Midlands Launches First-of-its-Kind Digital Platform to Attract £19B in Investment

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has unveiled Site Selection WM, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to unlock and promote over £19 billion worth of regeneration opportunities across the region.

Claimed to be the first platform of its kind in the UK, Site Selection WM provides investors with real-time data on more than 64 development and occupier sites. The tool showcases key information such as planning status, land use, industry focus, and investment type—empowering investors with insights to make faster, better-informed decisions.

Beyond land availability, the platform also integrates localised market intelligence including demographics, nearby amenities, innovation hubs, and transport connectivity. It highlights major zones like the West Midlands Investment Zone, further strengthening the region’s investment proposition.

A Collaborative Effort for Economic Growth

The platform was commissioned by the West Midlands Growth Company in collaboration with WMCA and several local authorities, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall councils.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, called the platform a “step change” in how the region attracts global investment:

“Showcasing over 1,000 acres of regeneration opportunities, Site Selection WM reflects the ambition of the West Midlands. It offers a more transparent, accessible and innovative way for investors to engage with our growth agenda.”

He added that the platform supports a broader mission to bring forward the right infrastructure, including town centre renewal and affordable housing-led developments, to foster inclusive, long-term growth.