Birmingham City Centre to Host £4.5m Startup Hub

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 26 seconds

Investment

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Quick Read: Bruntwood SciTech has begun a £4.5 million project to transform the Centre City tower in Birmingham into a startup hub, with completion expected by January 2025.

Work has commenced on a £4.5 million redevelopment plan to transform a 210,000 sq ft site in Birmingham’s city centre into a dynamic startup hub. The project, spearheaded by UK science and tech property developer Bruntwood SciTech, aims to create a vibrant workspace for startups and scale-ups within the iconic Centre City tower, a landmark built in the 1960s located in Birmingham’s theatre district.

Construction is underway, with the completion target set for January 2025. The 20-storey building will offer a variety of flexible working spaces, including co-working and pay-as-you-go options, tailored to meet the needs of emerging businesses.

“The redevelopment of Centre City represents a pivotal moment for Birmingham, underscoring Bruntwood SciTech’s dedication to fostering innovation and economic prosperity in the region.”

stated Bruntwood senior asset manager Mohammed Ali.

“As we progress with construction, we look forward to welcoming a diverse range of leading organisations to this revitalised landmark, further cementing Birmingham’s reputation as a premier destination for business growth.”

Photo Credit: Bruntwood Sci-Tech

The project is a collaborative venture involving Bruntwood, Legal & General, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. Bruntwood has already established six innovation hubs in the West Midlands city, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting the local tech and startup ecosystem.

This latest initiative follows the successful launch of the Birmingham Innovation Quarter in May 2023, another significant project by Bruntwood in the city.

“We are proud to be part of the transformative redevelopment of Centre City, which will reimagine the building as a central hub for innovative companies in Birmingham.”

said Andy Riach, director of estate agency Lambert Smith Hampton.

“We have no doubt that demand will be high for this market-leading workspace, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on the local business landscape.”

The redevelopment of Centre City is expected to attract a wide array of innovative organisations and contribute significantly to Birmingham’s economic growth. By providing state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment, the startup hub aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and business development, ensuring Birmingham remains a top destination for entrepreneurial ventures.

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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