West Midlands Universities Launch DigiSpin WM to Fast-Track Innovation and Drive Economic Growth

By Anushka Malhotra

2 minute 08 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: West Midlands universities launch the DigiSpin WM program to accelerate university-led innovation and spin-out companies, aiming to boost economic growth and transform research into market-ready businesses.

Coventry University, in partnership with Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton, has launched a groundbreaking new initiative called DigiSpin WM. Supported by UKRI Research England, this program aims to reshape the pathway from university research to viable businesses in the advanced manufacturing and digital innovation sectors. The DigiSpin WM initiative is a pilot program, part of the West Midlands Combined Universities (WMCU) partnership, and will support the region’s new Investment Zone by fostering innovation and economic development.

Set to begin in November 2024, DigiSpin WM will establish a collaborative ecosystem designed to help university-led innovations move smoothly from research to the marketplace, enabling spin-out companies to thrive. Intended as a model for nationwide adoption, the program seeks to empower universities across the UK to enhance their impact on regional and national economic growth.

Accelerating Innovation: Overcoming Challenges for University Spin-Outs

The program addresses the key hurdles that researchers often face when commercialising their work, including streamlined processes for market entry, intellectual property protection, investment readiness, and fostering industry partnerships. DigiSpin WM’s main objectives include:

Fast-Tracking Market Entry: Simplifying and speeding up the process for transforming research into commercial products.

IP Protection: Offering expert guidance on securing and managing intellectual property rights.

Investment Readiness: Developing robust business plans and supporting investment attraction.

Collaborative Network-Building: Connecting researchers with industry partners to support knowledge exchange and co-innovation.

Building Momentum Across the West Midlands and Beyond

DigiSpin WM is designed to have a far-reaching impact, not only on individual researchers but also on the broader economic landscape of the West Midlands. By encouraging the creation of successful spin-outs, the program is expected to contribute to regional job growth, attract investment, and position the West Midlands as a leading hub for innovation-driven industries.

Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Coventry University Group, expressed his enthusiasm for DigiSpin WM, highlighting its potential to leave a lasting legacy on advanced manufacturing in the region:

“DigiSpin WM will help our universities transform cutting-edge research into sustainable businesses that contribute to the long-term prosperity of the West Midlands.”

Albi Lamaj, IP Associate Director at Coventry University, added that the initiative represents a powerful step in empowering researchers and driving economic growth, especially by integrating best practices from the USIT Guide to streamline the process of creating and funding spin-out companies.

Exploring a Collaborative Model for Technology Transfer

DigiSpin WM will also explore the potential for shared Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) across universities, a question that Research England hopes to answer through this pilot. Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, noted,

“DigiSpin WM will provide valuable insights into how TTOs can be effectively shared across universities, helping us address financial sustainability and support economic growth.”

With the support of UKRI and the commitment of regional universities, DigiSpin WM is set to establish a scalable and replicable framework for universities across the UK. Through shared resources, streamlined processes, and a collaborative approach to innovation, DigiSpin WM aims to maximise the impact of research and contribute to the UK’s economic growth agenda.

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