What’s happening in the West Midlands Tech Sector.

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Keep up with all the latest news in tech within the region.

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

DigiSpinWM Pilot Celebrates Milestone as 11 Investor-Ready Innovations Emerge in the West Midlands

The DigiSpinWM pilot programme, a bold initiative designed to accelerate the spin-out of digital and advanced manufacturing innovations in the West Midlands, has marked a key milestone with a showcase event in Birmingham, unveiling 11 investor-ready ventures developed over the past six months.

Transforming Ideas into Investment Opportunities

Backed by Research England and delivered through a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University, and Birmingham City University via the West Midlands Combined Universities, the programme set out to test a collaborative model for commercialising innovation more efficiently and effectively.

In just six months, DigiSpinWM has:

- Assessed over 40 high-potential technologies for commercial viability
- Delivered tailored support to participants on spin-out strategy and intellectual property development
- Nurtured 11 ventures to investment readiness
- Developed a shared framework for technology transfer across participating universities

The recent showcase celebrated these achievements, spotlighting innovations spanning early-stage development to near-market solutions with the potential for significant societal and economic impact.

A Regional Model for Innovation

Ceri Jones, Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Wolverhampton, reflected on the programme’s success:

The DigiSpinWM pilot has been a transformative journey. Seeing 11 investor-ready ventures emerge from such a collaborative, regional approach shows what’s possible when we unify efforts across institutions. These spinouts will drive real-world change and position the West Midlands at the forefront of digital and advanced manufacturing.

The pilot’s success is also credited to a strong ecosystem of academic mentors, business advisors, and industry reviewers who provided essential support and guidance to participants.

The showcase event featured live pitches from select ventures to an audience of investors, stakeholders, and innovation leaders, marking a key step towards unlocking the funding required to bring these innovations to market.

With the DigiSpinWM model proving its value, the programme signals a new chapter for spin-out activity in the West Midlands—one built on collaboration, shared infrastructure, and investment-ready innovation.

By Anushka Malhotra

8 Jun

West Midlands small businesses encouraged to apply for research and development grants

A grant application scheme has opened to creative freelancers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands, to apply for up to £10,000 to develop innovative ideas through collaborative Research and Development (R&D).

Smaller companies and freelancers can struggle to access R&D grants, something that

CreaTech Frontiers

, the new creative industries cluster for the West Midlands, is hoping to challenge.

CreaTech Frontiers is made up of five partners: Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers, said:

We are thrilled to launch our first call to fund innovative ideas and projects only four months after the start of the CreaTech Frontiers programme. We hope to receive an enthusiastic response from creative companies and freelancers all across the West Midlands and we especially encourage first-time applicants with original and untested concepts.

A funding pot of £250,000 is being made available this summer, which will also give freelancers and SMEs access to academic R&D expertise, mentoring and training, and use world-class research and development labs to create new content, products and services.

This is the first round of funding of many, with a minimum of £1.8 million expected to be awarded over five years.

Kath Fuller, COO of TechWM, and board member of CreaTech Frontiers said:

This is a rare opportunity for freelancers, micro-businesses, and SMEs across the West Midlands to take creative risks, test bold ideas, and unlock the full potential of research and development. At TechWM, we see the transformative power of R&D every day — driving business growth, attracting investment, and opening new routes to market. I’d especially love to see ideas that pioneer sustainable products and services, helping to shape the future of the West Midlands’ dynamic innovation ecosystem and CreaTech sector.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is backing the project as part of ambitions for the region to be

a flourishing creative ecosystem by 2030.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’ve got a young, diverse region full of bold thinkers and creative minds who are really pushing the limits of what’s possible with technology.

I want them to take advantage of these grants and the amazing research and innovation coming out of our world class universities, so they can turn their great ideas into global success stories. And as we do that, we’re creating exciting new jobs and showing the world what the West Midlands is made of.

Applications are open now and close on Monday 4 August. Register your interest and find out more

here

By Birmingham City University

6 Jun

Innovation Accelerator Pilot Programme Creates More Than £140m Co-investment With 250 Jobs

A UK government-backed innovation programme has delivered a major boost to regional economies, generating more than £140 million in new investment and creating up to 250 full-time equivalent jobs across the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Glasgow City Region.

Funded by Innovate UK, working with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), early impacts emerging from the Innovation Accelerator pilot programme demonstrate it is already delivering significant economic outcomes.

Launched in April 2022, the pilot programme pioneers a new funding approach, co-created with local leadership to fast-track high-growth industries and harness regional strengths.

Glasgow City Region is demonstrating the power and impact of the triple helix model- combining public sector backing, academic expertise, and private sector investment. This collaborative approach is accelerating innovation to market, creating high-quality local jobs, building sustainable supply chains, and has already leveraged over £47 million in private sector investment.

Greater Manchester is using the Innovation Accelerator to advance its strengths in advanced materials and manufacturing, digital and tech, low carbon and health innovation, while placing a strong emphasis on social inclusion. The Centre for Digital Innovation project has offered skills development and community outreach to all 10 of the city-region’s boroughs through its network of further education colleges, while the Turing Innovation Catalyst is helping people from underrepresented groups develop a career in AI.

Meanwhile, West Midlands is accelerating R&D and innovation strengths in greener technologies and improved personalised and digital healthcare, diversifying its economy while boosting supply chains. Furthermore, indications show by the end of 2025, 161 jobs will have been created in the region through this programme.

With an initial £100 million investment, plus a £30 million extension secured for 2025/26, this pilot is generating regional growth and vibrant innovation ecosystems.

The Innovation Accelerator pilot is also bringing new technology, products and services to market:

In the West Midlands, the

Clean Futures

programme helped to develop a new coating for EV batteries to extend their life, while also supporting startup

Moonbility

, to create an AI ‘digital twin’ platform to help rail operators respond faster to disruptions in a proof-of-concept for London North Eastern Railway.

The Government is building on its success through a Local Innovation Partnerships Fund of up to £500m, which is part of the

wider £86 billion of R&D funding

announced ahead of the Spending Review to turbo-charge the fastest growing sectors, from tech and life sciences, to advanced manufacturing and defence.

The new fund will empower local leaders across the UK to target their research investment in the region, boosting high skilled jobs and igniting growth across the country – the core mission of the government’s Plan for Change.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

These findings show the important part that leaders who know their regions best can play in capitalising on local strengths to improve lives and create new jobs, from healthcare to space technology and advanced manufacturing to AI. This government is building on these promising investments into Glasgow, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, with up to £500m of further local partnership funding for regions in every corner of the UK, so that more excellent, local expertise can be channelled into driving economic growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director for Place and Global at Innovate UK, added:

The Innovation Accelerator pilot has proven the power of place-based innovation to unlock economic potential and transform regional R&D ecosystems. By building on the distinct strengths of the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Glasgow City Region, we’ve seen clusters of innovation flourish by attracting significant co-investment, creating new products and services, and delivering hundreds of high-value jobs.
At the heart of our approach lies the principle of co-creation, recognising the wisdom of local people with a deep understanding of local strengths to be built upon. This local knowledge is complemented by Innovate UK’s reach as the national innovation agency, linking these regional clusters with opportunities provided by national and international networks. The Innovation Accelerator pilot has proven to be a strategic commitment to developing thriving innovation clusters that continues to drive long-term prosperity for the UK.

To discover how Innovate UK's Innovation Accelerator pilot is shaping the future of innovation across West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Glasgow City Region, visit the

Innovate UK Business Connect

website.

By Innovate UK

6 Jun

West Midlands RAS Cluster Supports Make UK’s Call for Faster Robotics Adoption in Manufacturing

The West Midlands Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Cluster is backing Make UK’s latest call to action, urging a faster and more coordinated adoption of robotics across the region’s manufacturing sector.

This follows the release of a joint study: The Case for Increased Robotics and Autonomous Systems Adoption within the West Midlands Production Industry, commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and conducted in partnership with Make UK and the West Midlands RAS Cluster.

Drawing insights from over 100 manufacturers and a comprehensive review of current industry literature, the report finds that while 80% of businesses have adopted basic robotic applications, there is significant untapped potential in more advanced RAS technologies. Scaling adoption, however, is being hindered by financial constraints, limited training access, and a lack of technical expertise, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Strong Appetite for Automation, but Barriers Remain

The research highlights widespread enthusiasm for automation, with 59% of firms planning to expand their use of RAS within three years, and only 6% ruling it out entirely. Productivity gains, alongside improved quality and consistency, were among the most frequently cited benefits.

However, more advanced robotic systems remain out of reach for many due to key challenges:

- Insufficient financial support and incentives
- Shortage of trained professionals
- Limited collaborative infrastructure

Industry Leaders Call for Unified Action

Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and founding member of the West Midlands RAS Cluster, said:

This report validates the need for a regional cluster where technology providers, integrators, and users can collaborate. It confirms our vision to establish the West Midlands RAS Cluster as a hub for coordination, investment, and leadership.

Ben Fletcher, COO of Make UK, added:

Robotics and autonomous systems are essential for the future of UK manufacturing. This report outlines a clear strategy to overcome barriers and unlock innovation and economic growth.

Report Recommendations: Unlocking the Potential

The report identifies three core recommendations to help the region lead in RAS adoption:

1. Enhanced financial support
Expand grant programmes and financial incentives tailored to robotics to lower the barrier to entry for SMEs.

2. Strengthened collaboration
Foster regional and national partnerships between academia, industry, and government to share knowledge and resources.

3. Targeted skills development
Develop dedicated RAS training, apprenticeships, and CPD programmes to close the workforce gap and provide job-ready talent.

West Midlands Positioned to Lead Nationally

With 12,700 manufacturing businesses and strong infrastructure, the West Midlands is well placed to become a national leader in robotics and automation adoption. The region’s industrial heritage, academic institutions, and access to skilled talent offer a strategic advantage for advancing the UK’s RAS ambitions.

By Anushka Malhotra

4 Jun

Clean Futures Accelerator Opens New Round for West Midlands SMEs Driving Net Zero Transport Innovation

West Midlands-based SMEs are being invited to apply for funding and expert support to develop and trial clean transport solutions through the latest round of the Clean Futures Accelerator, launched by Connected Places Catapult.

The programme, delivered in partnership with Coventry University, is part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator and is supported by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Over the last two years, the Accelerator has helped regional innovators raise over £125 million in co-investment and create more than 50 new jobs, marking it as a key driver of clean tech growth in the region.

Funding Opportunities for Net Zero Innovation

The new call is open to SMEs based in the West Midlands working on innovations in:

- Net zero manufacturing
- Future fuels
- Clean energy conversion
- Circular economy applications

Applicants must be ready to trial their innovations and provide 100% in-kind match funding. Selected projects could receive between £10,000 and £50,000, with £300,000 in total funding available across 10 successful businesses.

Participants will receive:

- Technical support from Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
- Commercial guidance from Connected Places Catapult
- Access to specialist facilities, industry mentors, and networking opportunities
- Engagement with the Clean Futures Industry and Investor Board

Building a Greener Transport Future

Previous programme successes include:

- Global Nano Network, which built a digital twin of its battery production process
- ChangeMaker3D, which enhanced its 3D printing for sustainable infrastructure
- BoxTube, which prototyped a rapid-loading freight system for rail transport

Leaders from the project partners praised the Accelerator’s impact:

Sarah Windrum, Deputy Chair of the West Midlands Innovation Board:

This programme gives pioneering businesses the platform, funding, and expert support they need to develop and test cutting-edge green technologies.

Erika Lewis, CEO of Connected Places Catapult:

The West Midlands is one of the UK’s manufacturing heartlands. If you have an idea that can make transport greener, I encourage you to apply.

Professor Marcos Kauffman, Coventry University:

Our goal is to accelerate the West Midlands toward net-zero transport while creating skilled local jobs and economic growth.

Applications are now open. For full eligibility and application details, SMEs can visit the Connected Places Catapult website.

By Anushka Malhotra

3 Jun

University of Birmingham Shapes Global Debate on Ethical AI in Diplomacy and Human Rights

As artificial intelligence continues to transform international diplomacy and human rights governance, the University of Birmingham is playing a leading role in guiding global conversations on ethical and responsible AI deployment.

At the recent high-level workshop “Leveraging Data and AI in International Relations and Human Rights”, held on 22–23 May 2025 at the historic Palais Wilson in Geneva, experts from the University’s Centre for AI in Government shared cutting-edge insights on AI foresight and governance. The event, co-organised by the German Federal Foreign Office’s Data Innovation Lab and the UN Human Rights Office’s Innovation and Analytics Hub (OHCHR), brought together diplomats, data scientists, and policy leaders to explore AI’s growing role in global governance.

Image Credit: University of Birmingham

Dr. Martin Wählisch, Associate Professor of Transformative Technologies, Innovation and Global Affairs at the University of Birmingham, led a dedicated session on "The Future of Computational Global Affairs". His talk focused on the ethical design and long-term implications of AI tools used in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and human rights. He also added:

This workshop underlined why it is critical for practitioners to stay both tech-literate and future-literate. There is a growing range of AI-driven tools in diplomacy—from early-warning systems to negotiation aids—but serious questions remain about transparency, accountability, and dual-use risks. We need a cautious, values-based approach.

The University of Birmingham’s recent publication, Big Questions About AI, has added further momentum to these discussions, exploring how ethics and futures literacy must underpin AI integration in public life.

A Global Call for Ethical AI in Governance

Keynote speakers at the Geneva event included:

- Ambassador Katharina Stasch, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva
- Peggy Hicks, Director of Thematic Engagement, OHCHR
- Gunda Ehmke, Project Lead, German Federal Foreign Office
- George Hodge, Head of Data Solutions, OHCHR
- Philip Oedi, Data Scientist, German Foreign Office

These leaders emphasised the strategic importance of ethical and transparent AI systems in shaping evidence-based international decision-making.

A Hub for Thought Leadership

The University of Birmingham continues to position itself as a global thought leader on AI governance, contributing academic depth to policy-focused debates. Its Centre for AI in Government is actively involved in research that supports responsible innovation, global human rights protection, and effective international cooperation in the age of AI.

Dr. Wählisch added:

As the digital transformation of diplomacy accelerates, our role is to ensure technology evolves within democratic, inclusive, and human rights-based frameworks.

By Anushka Malhotra

3 Jun

Greater Things Secures Seed Funding to Scale Support for Idea-Stage Founders Across the UK

Greater Things, the organisation behind one of the UK’s most inclusive early-stage founder support models, has secured seed funding from a group of strategic business angels. This raise marks a significant milestone in their journey to empower non-technical, idea-stage tech founders and scale their impact nationally.

Since launching, Greater Things has focused on removing traditional barriers to entry in tech entrepreneurship. Their programmes combine pre-seed capital, structured guidance, and AI/no-code-powered MVP development, enabling founders to build and launch ventures without requiring a technical co-founder.

Over the past three years, Greater Things has delivered high-impact support to more than 55 founders, working in partnership with regional authorities and universities across the West Midlands. Their efforts have been backed by organisations such as the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City University, and SuperTech WM, laying a strong foundation for scalable, inclusive innovation.

Jof Walters, Founder & CEO Greater Things said:

With 75% of Seeds Programme founders still active, the data speaks for itself: this partnership works.

Hilary Smyth-Allen, CEO, SuperTech WM said:

We’re proud to be recognised as one of the most inclusive and effective early-stage investors in the UK—and we’re just getting started.

This seed investment will allow Greater Things to accelerate the pace and reach of their investment programmes, with plans to expand operations across the UK. The focus remains on founders at the earliest stage — those with promising ideas but limited access to capital or technical teams — offering them a structured path from concept to product.

By Anushka Malhotra

29 May

BCU Expands Games Academy to Power West Midlands' Gaming Industry Growth

Birmingham City University (BCU) has launched an expanded Games Academy to meet the surging demand for specialised talent in the fast-growing gaming sector, both regionally and across the UK.

Unveiled during BCU’s annual Innovation Fest, the enhanced Academy will now offer an expanded suite of courses in Design, Programming, Technology, and Technical Art, equipping students with the advanced skills needed to enter an increasingly competitive industry.

Supporting a Booming Sector

The move reflects the growing significance of the gaming sector, which contributed around £6 billion to the UK economy in 2024. In the West Midlands, the industry is projected to generate £65 million annually and create 1,500 jobs by 2030.

Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of STEAM at BCU, said:

“This expansion is not just about increasing numbers, but about deeper specialisation. Our industry-informed approach ensures graduates are career-ready from day one.”

BCU’s STEAMhouse building hosted the launch, which attracted leading voices from the global gaming community. Notable attendees included Linda Yilin Wen of Microsoft Research Redmond, and Dr. Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA, who both spoke on how academic institutions must evolve to keep pace with the gaming industry’s rapid transformation.