MedTech Incubator Welcomes 7th Birmingham-Born Startup

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 26 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Birmingham Biotech joins Unit 9 at Birmingham Research Park, becoming the seventh Birmingham-born company to benefit from the University of Birmingham Enterprise’s MedTech incubator.

Birmingham Biotech, a global manufacturer and supplier of innovative medical diagnostic equipment and devices, has become the seventh Birmingham-born company to enter the University of Birmingham Enterprise’s MedTech incubator, Unit 9. With operations spanning Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the UK, Birmingham Biotech is now part of the thriving ecosystem at Birmingham Research Park, which has been nurturing high-growth companies since 1986.

Unit 9, established in 2022, is designed to support emerging companies within Birmingham’s vibrant medical technology scene. It complements the city's existing infrastructure for translational work, providing short-term incubation and a comprehensive business support programme, including an equipment-sharing agreement with the University of Birmingham.

Photo Credit: University of Birmingham

Angie Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer at University of Birmingham Enterprise, highlighted the significance of the addition:

“We created Unit 9 to complement the existing infrastructure for translational work in the city, and Birmingham Biotech is a perfect fit for the incubator, which has already benefited six other Birmingham-born companies.”

The incubator is a collaborative effort between the University of Birmingham Enterprise, the GBSLEP Growth Hub, and the West Midlands Combined Authority, aiming to foster innovation, creativity, and growth in the city. Located at Birmingham Research Park, Unit 9 offers a range of landing spaces, including the BioHub Birmingham, which provides facilities for cell culture and microbiology work to its tenants.

Michael Hsu, Managing Director of Birmingham Biotech, expressed enthusiasm about the new space:

“The Unit 9 incubator is the perfect lab space for us. It’s the right size, low cost, and in a good location. With easy access to the University campus, research departments, and hospitals, it will facilitate current and future collaborative research activities. We will also benefit from business support from University of Birmingham Enterprise and other facilities at the BioHub Birmingham.”

The Midlands health and life sciences sector is home to the UK’s largest cluster of medical technology businesses, excelling in diagnostics, devices, digital, and data. The region also boasts world-leading research institutes and the clinical infrastructure necessary for large-scale trials, making it an ideal location for Birmingham Biotech's continued growth and innovation.

Read the Press Release here.

What's new

Aurrigo’s Autonomous Airport Tech Gets Green Light for Global Deployment

Coventry-based Aurrigo International has received formal approval for its autonomous ground handling technologies to be rolled out across over 60 airports globally, following a successful trial at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The breakthrough comes through its partnership with Aviation Solutions, a division of the Royal Schiphol Group, announced in April 2024. After testing Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Sim® systems at Schiphol, the technology has now been validated for broader commercial deployment.

Royal Schiphol Group—operator of Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague, and Lelystad Airports—holds stakes in a host of global hubs including Eindhoven, Brisbane, Hobart International, and JFK Terminal 4, and has collaboration agreements with Beijing Capital International Airport and Seoul Incheon. This global footprint now opens the door for Aurrigo’s smart airside innovations to be adopted worldwide.

Photo Credit: Aurrigo

Marcel Stroop, Director of Go-to-Market at Aviation Solutions said:

“Aurrigo is a true front-runner in autonomous ground handling. We work to deliver solutions we can guarantee 100%, and Aurrigo is now part of that movement—bringing proven innovations from Schiphol to airports around the world.”

The successful trial featured Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug®, a next-generation electric and autonomous vehicle for transporting luggage and cargo, and Auto-Sim®, a simulation platform that enables airports to plan, model and optimise autonomous operations in advance of real-world deployment.

With validation in hand, the next phase will focus on commercialising Aurrigo’s technology through Aviation Solutions’ extensive global network.

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo said:

“This endorsement confirms the demand for our smart airside solutions. It also strengthens our go-to-market strategy by working with a trusted, incentivised partner who connects us with well-informed, progressive aviation customers.”

Aurrigo’s innovations are part of a growing trend toward automation in aviation, helping airports reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability goals.

By Anushka Malhotra

8 Apr