Quantum Technology Hub Set to Launch in Birmingham with £100M Investment

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 3 seconds

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Quick Read: A £100 million investment will establish a quantum technology hub in Birmingham, aiming to advance technologies with significant applications in healthcare, security, and clean energy.

Birmingham is set to become a leading centre for quantum technology with the establishment of one of five new quantum technology hubs across the UK. Announced by Science Secretary Peter Kyle, this £100 million investment will fund hubs in Birmingham, Oxford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, focusing on developing cutting-edge quantum technologies with applications in healthcare, security, and clean energy.

The University of Birmingham will spearhead the creation of the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging, and Timing. This hub aims to develop advanced sensing technologies capable of detecting the invisible, such as identifying gas leaks before they pose a threat or locating hidden objects that could be dangerous. Additionally, the hub will focus on practical quantum sensing applications, including brain scanners for dementia and cancer diagnostics.

The funding for these hubs is provided by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with contributions from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The total investment from EPSRC alone amounts to £106 million.

Peter Kyle, speaking to The Guardian, emphasised the significant potential of quantum technology:

“We are at the foothills of where quantum technology is going to take us, and that provides a huge opportunity for British science and British research and development. If we get this right, we can become global leaders, which means not just solving challenges domestically and creating opportunities domestically, but being able to fully exploit the global market as well.”

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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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