Young 3D Printing Pioneer Crowned West Midlands 'Leader of the Year'
By Anushka Malhotra
1 minute 25 seconds
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Quick Read: Mitchell Barnes of RYSE 3D has been named West Midlands 'Leader of the Year' for his transformative impact on the 3D printing industry and global hypercar manufacturing from his Warwickshire base.
Mitchell Barnes, the 28-year-old founder of RYSE 3D, has been named West Midlands ‘Leader of the Year’ after clinching two major accolades at the Business Desk’s West Midlands Leadership Awards.
Recognised for his trailblazing work in the 3D printing industry, Barnes walked away with both the Company Leader of the Year (up to 50 employees) and the prestigious overall Leader of the Year award. His win underscores a remarkable journey—from starting RYSE 3D in his mother’s garage to becoming a key player in global hypercar manufacturing.
Photo: Mitchell Barnes, Photo Credit: RYSE 3D
The Warwickshire-based company, now turning over more than £5 million, supplies parts to 23 of the world’s leading hypercar projects and has doubled its workforce in the past 18 months. Judges praised Mitchell’s visionary leadership, commercial strategy, and commitment to mentoring future engineering talent through in-house training schemes.
“Never did I think I’d win one award, let alone the top title,” said Mitchell. “These honours show what’s possible when you believe in your vision and aren’t afraid to challenge industry norms.”
A standout moment in RYSE 3D’s recent growth was the development of LANDR—a powerful, in-house engineered large-format FDM printer that delivers industrial-grade performance at a fraction of the cost and footprint of its competitors. Born from necessity, LANDR not only supports RYSE 3D’s own production but is now available commercially, offering SMEs and innovators access to high-quality, large-scale additive manufacturing.
LANDR’s 500x500x500mm build volume enables rapid prototyping and end-use production across sectors including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and consumer goods. Its UK-built design has helped RYSE 3D gain momentum as a technology manufacturer in its own right, with external sales of the printer growing monthly. Mitchell added:
“We’re proud that LANDR is built in Britain and making a global impact. It’s now producing thousands of parts every month, and we’re just getting started—more LANDR products are already in the pipeline.”
With accolades in hand and innovation at the core, RYSE 3D is poised to continue disrupting the 3D printing industry—pushing boundaries and proving what’s possible through bold leadership and homegrown talent.
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Inicio AI Raises £2.6M in Seed Round to Scale AI-Powered Financial Platform

Inicio AI, a Coventry-based fintech innovator, has raised £2.6 million in seed funding to fuel growth and roll out its FCA-regulated consumer affordability platform.
The funding round was supported by a consortium of high-profile investors, including Rigby Group, Morgan Stanley, Haatch Ventures, Angel Academe, Mint Ventures, and a number of individual angel investors. It also includes a £500,000 investment from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund (WMCO), managed by Midven, part of Future Planet Capital.
The raise follows Inicio AI’s recent win at Birmingham Tech Week’s OneToWin pitch competition, where it earned recognition for Budgie AI, its intelligent virtual agent designed to help individuals better manage their finances.
The funds will be used to scale the company’s operations, including the launch of the UK’s first FCA-regulated specialist consumer affordability passporting service. This innovation will allow consumers to share verified affordability data with third parties, streamlining financial assessments across sectors.
The company also plans to grow its West Midlands headquarters, adding new talent in tech and data roles to support ongoing development.
Rachel Curtis, CEO of Inicio AI, commented:
“This investment, alongside our OneToWin recognition, represents a major milestone. It enables us to enhance our technology, scale our impact, and help more people take control of their financial future while improving efficiency for lenders.”
The WMCO, jointly launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the West Midlands Pension Fund, aims to back high-growth SMEs driving innovation and economic growth in the region through matched equity investment of up to £1 million.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said:
“Inicio AI is a fantastic example of regional innovation. With the right investment and support, local companies like this can launch groundbreaking solutions that improve lives and grow our economy.”
Rupert Lyle, Investment Director at Midven and Fund Principal of WMCO, added:
“Inicio AI’s cutting-edge approach to affordability assessments is reshaping how the financial sector operates. We’re excited to be part of their journey.”
By Anushka Malhotra
16 Apr