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.

Birmingham Rises as a Leading Hub for Tech and Life Sciences Innovation

Birmingham has solidified its position as a powerhouse for tech and life sciences in the UK, with a surge of new businesses, expansions, and investment making 2024 a landmark year for the city’s innovation ecosystem. With 20 new tech and innovation-led businesses joining the fold and existing companies scaling up their operations, Birmingham is rapidly becoming a hub for groundbreaking advancements and entrepreneurial success.

A key driver of this growth is a £50 million investment by Bruntwood SciTech into Birmingham’s workspaces, enabling the city to attract and support innovative businesses across tech and life sciences. Home to over 2,000 tech startups and 6,000 tech businesses, Birmingham’s reputation as the UK’s startup capital is bolstered by strong subsectors such as fintech, medtech, digital marketing, and gaming.

Key Infrastructure Investment and Strategic Support

Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, has played a pivotal role in creating a fertile environment for innovation. Over the past year, strategic hubs like Innovation Birmingham and Cornerblock have drawn a wave of innovative firms, including Bryt Energy and Apprentify, which have expanded their operations to leverage Birmingham’s rich ecosystem of talent and resources.

With more than 132,000 students in the West Midlands studying critical subjects such as computer science and engineering, the city offers businesses direct access to a pipeline of top-tier talent. This proximity to academic institutions such as the University of Birmingham and Aston University fosters collaboration and drives advancements in areas like medtech, where the city already contributes 8% of the UK’s total turnover.

Life Sciences and Medtech: A Growing Nexus

Birmingham’s growing prominence in medtech is exemplified by the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC), set to become the Midlands’ first dedicated life sciences campus. With initiatives such as the Precision Health Technology Accelerator (PHTA), the city is driving groundbreaking medical technologies, further cementing its role as a hub for life sciences.

Looking Ahead: Sustained Growth and Innovation

Bruntwood SciTech’s plans for further investment, including the £4.5 million redevelopment of Centre City and multimillion-pound upgrades to other facilities, reflect a commitment to meeting the needs of the city’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem. These investments provide businesses with state-of-the-art workspaces designed for collaboration and growth, reinforcing Birmingham’s status as a leading destination for tech and life sciences.

Rob Valentine, Regional Director at Bruntwood SciTech, emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum:

“The recent influx of disruptive and innovative businesses into Birmingham is testament to the strength of the city’s talent, infrastructure, and business support proposition. By creating supportive workspaces and nurturing partnerships, we aim to cultivate an environment where startups and established firms can collaborate, innovate, and drive economic growth.”

With sustained investment and a thriving ecosystem, Birmingham is poised to lead the digital economy and life sciences sectors, attracting global attention and driving the UK’s innovation agenda forward.

By Anushka Malhotra

12 Dec

Birmingham’s Get Well Soon Secures £402,000 to Revolutionise Private Healthcare

Birmingham-based health tech platform Get Well Soon has raised £402,000 in funding to enhance its service for comparing the costs of elective procedures in the private healthcare sector. The investment includes £201,000 from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, matched by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund.

Launched earlier this year, Get Well Soon aims to simplify the patient journey by providing a platform where users can compare, choose, and book private healthcare consultations and surgeries. Inspired by consumer platforms like Airbnb and Uber, the platform guarantees quoted prices when bookings are made through its service, offering patients a seamless experience in securing self-pay elective procedures.

Empowering Patients with Choice

Led by colorectal surgeon and chief executive Simon Radley, Get Well Soon operates under the Medmin Group, headquartered in Quinton, Birmingham. With over 500 clinicians already on its roster, the platform connects self-pay patients with private hospitals, clinics, and surgeons for treatments in fields such as orthopaedics, urology, and general surgery.

The recent funding will enable Get Well Soon to expand its range of services and onboard additional healthcare professionals to address the growing demand for self-pay surgeries across the UK.

Photo: Simon Radley, Credit: Medmin Group

Radley highlighted the platform's mission, saying:

“We’re thrilled to have closed this funding round and are deeply grateful to Midven for supporting Get Well Soon’s vision. With this investment, we’ll continue enhancing the healthcare industry by providing an accessible, transparent, and patient-centric platform that empowers individuals with choice. Since launching, we’ve made a significant impact, helping people navigate and book self-pay diagnostics and surgeries with ease. Now, we’re set to help even more patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.”

Support for Innovation in Healthcare

The West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, managed by Birmingham-based venture capital firm Midven, was established by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Pension Fund to support SMEs with high-growth potential in areas like digital and green technology. Notably, Medmin, the parent company of Get Well Soon, was the first recipient of the fund, securing a £1.45 million deal last year.

Daniel Gaize, investment associate at Midven, commended the platform’s potential to transform private healthcare:

“Get Well Soon offers an exciting opportunity to disrupt the delivery of elective private healthcare in the UK. By focusing on information, speed, and convenience, their direct-to-consumer model is positioned to facilitate faster and more accessible medical procedures, addressing the rising demand from self-pay patients.”

The new funding marks a critical milestone for Get Well Soon, as it continues to shape the future of patient-centric healthcare and expand its footprint across the UK.

By Anushka Malhotra

10 Dec

West Midlands Tech Sector Poised for Scale-Up Success Amid Growing Investment and Innovation

The Midlands continues to establish itself as a thriving hub for technology innovation, with 2024 underscoring the tech sector's critical role in driving regional economic growth. Aaron Baker, Investor at BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading growth capital investors, highlights the sector's impact not only as an independent powerhouse but also as a driver of productivity across other industries.

BGF has supported over 100 tech-enabled businesses, including Midlands-based companies Skewb and Metric Search, helping them achieve their scale-up ambitions. Birmingham Tech Week (BTW) founder Yiannis Maos projects that the West Midlands tech sector could reach a £100 billion market capitalisation by 2030, spurred by international investment and homegrown business growth. Additionally, Barclays Eagle Labs reports a significant rise in tech company incorporations in the East Midlands, home to 48 University of Nottingham spinouts.

A Stable Foundation for Growth

Following an election year and a pivotal Budget announcement, improving economic conditions—such as declining inflation and anticipated interest rate cuts—are setting the stage for sustained growth. Targeted government funding in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and biotechnology, combined with a modern industrial strategy, is expected to attract private investment, drive mergers and acquisitions, and boost fundraising activities in key sectors.

Reimagining the Region’s Growth Potential

The Midlands has seen traditional industries adapt to the digital era, spawning tech start-ups and scale-ups that are reimagining older business models. With its central location, strong infrastructure, world-class universities, and a growing network of innovative companies, the region offers fertile ground for scaling businesses.

Aaron Baker noted the impressive progress in building a collaborative tech ecosystem, describing it as a place with “fantastic energy and support.” However, he emphasised the importance of amplifying the Midlands' tech potential nationally and internationally, particularly by supporting early-stage businesses to achieve global success.

Funding Innovation and Growth

Flexible funding has historically been a challenge for Midlands SMEs. BGF, which has invested over £4 billion in 600 companies since 2011, addresses this gap with a minority-only investment model that empowers entrepreneurs while providing expertise, advice, and networks.

Looking ahead, Baker sees 2025 as a year of opportunity for well-capitalised businesses to leverage improving economic conditions. Companies with a long-term vision are expected to drive growth through innovation, talent development, and expansion into new markets.

As the Midlands tech sector continues to scale new heights, it is poised to play an even greater role in shaping the UK’s economic future.

By Anushka Malhotra

9 Dec

Midlands Propels Towards £1.5 Billion FinTech Economy with New Innovation Lab

The Midlands’ burgeoning FinTech sector has taken a leap forward with the launch of a cutting-edge FinTech Innovation Lab at Warwick Business School’s Gillmore Centre for Financial Technology. Supported by multimillion-pound investments, this new initiative aims to enhance research, develop advanced skills, and position the West Midlands as a global hub for FinTech innovation.

Over the next decade, FinTech is expected to contribute £1.5 billion to the Midlands economy and generate 4,600 new jobs. The lab will serve as a cornerstone of this transformation, fostering talent and collaboration between academia and industry.

Advancing FinTech Talent and Research

The lab is spearheaded by Professor Ram Gopal, head of the Gillmore Centre, who emphasised its dual focus on research and talent development.

“One of its key roles will be to create the next generation of talent in FinTech.”

Gopal said. The inaugural cohort is expected to include 60–80 students, with plans to expand to 100–120 in subsequent years.

Photo Credit: Warwick Business School

The lab offers a physical space where businesses and startups can collaborate with students to “sandbox” innovative solutions. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-powered computers, VR headsets, and large wall screens, the lab is already pioneering tools such as GillmoreAI, a generative AI platform for academic insights on FinTech, and dashboards for tracking cryptocurrencies and FinTech stock performance.

Spotlight on PropTech

A major focus of the Gillmore Centre is property technology (PropTech), one of the fastest-growing segments of the West Midlands’ tech industry. Around 40% of the region’s professional technology firms operate in the PropTech space.

With a £1.25 million anonymous donation, the centre has launched a dedicated research group to tackle inefficiencies in real estate finance. Professor Gopal highlighted the potential of combining PropTech and AI to reduce decision-making biases and streamline operations in the sector. He said

“Real estate is one of the biggest sectors of FinTech, but it’s riddled with inefficiencies. AI can help people make decisions that are both less prejudiced and more successful.”

Building the Future of FinTech

The Gillmore Centre was established five years ago with a £3 million donation from alumnus Clive Gillmore, founder of Mondrian Investment Partners. Its latest initiative, the FinTech Innovation Lab, reinforces its commitment to propelling the Midlands into the forefront of global financial technology.

By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and emerging talent, the lab is expected to play a pivotal role in creating transformative solutions and supporting the Midlands’ journey to becoming an international FinTech powerhouse.

By Anushka Malhotra

9 Dec

New Programme to Boost West Midlands Growth by Driving Supply Chain Innovation

A groundbreaking initiative is set to accelerate economic growth in the West Midlands by fostering supply chain innovation in high-potential industries such as health tech, med tech, future housing, and smart energy.

The BGWM West Midlands Supply Chain Transition programme, delivered by a consortium of supply chain experts, business leaders, and procurement specialists, aims to open new revenue streams for businesses across the region. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the programme is designed to help local firms adapt to emerging opportunities, including those within the region’s three Investment Zones.

The initiative will support businesses through workshops, intensive coaching, peer-to-peer networks, and events featuring key buyers looking to diversify their supplier base. The first event, scheduled for December 10 in Birmingham, will explore best practices for securing public and private sector contracts. Attendees will hear from Government buyers, including representatives from the Department of Transport, as well as private sector stakeholders and entrepreneurs who have successfully won significant contracts.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of WMCA, emphasised the programme’s potential

“Our Investment Zone is focused on creating high-quality jobs in vital industries like health technology, future housing, and smart energy. This programme equips local businesses to seize these opportunities while preparing young talent with the skills needed to fill these roles. We’re making the West Midlands the best place to do business and ensuring economic growth benefits everyone in our communities.”

Malcolm Cohen, Managing Director at business growth consultancy Newable, underscored the programme’s ambition:

“The scale of this initiative will help businesses thrive by boosting awareness of new supply chain opportunities and building their capacity to secure contracts in priority sectors. It’s about empowering them to compete more effectively in the regional economy.”

Emma Jones, CBE, founder of small business platform Enterprise Nation, praised the programme’s impact on small enterprises:

“Winning contracts from sectors like government acts as a powerful accelerator for small businesses. This programme provides an incredible opportunity to evolve the West Midlands’ priority business community while fuelling regional economic growth.”

Raj Kandola, Director of External Affairs at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, encouraged businesses to engage with the initiative:

“This programme supports suppliers in transitioning into high-growth sectors and securing lucrative contracts. For businesses looking to diversify their customer base, this is an unmissable opportunity to learn how key corporate stakeholders are buying.”

The BGWM West Midlands Supply Chain Transition programme aligns with the region’s focus on creating jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening economic resilience through targeted industry support.

By Anushka Malhotra

3 Dec

Birmingham Entrepreneur Launches GitLaw to Offer Free Legal Resources for Startups

Birmingham-based tech entrepreneur Nick Holzherr has unveiled

GitLaw

, a new platform designed to address the high costs of legal support for startups and growing businesses.

GitLaw

provides free access to hundreds of legal document templates that users can download or customise. The platform also allows businesses to contribute their own templates and suggest updates to existing documents, fostering a collaborative, open-source approach to legal resources.

Photo: Nick Holzherr, Credit: GitLaw

The majority of the templates have been developed by law firms, solicitors, investors, and other organisations, covering essential agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, employment contracts, and privacy policies.

Nick Holzherr, known for founding recipe website Whisk, which he pitched on The Apprentice before selling it to Samsung in 2019, is one of the driving forces behind GitLaw. He highlighted the challenges small businesses face with legal issues, stating that 32% of small companies encounter legal problems annually, yet only a quarter can afford professional support. Holzherr said:

"The current legal system is unaffordable, with the balance tipped against those without significant financial resources. As a startup founder, I’ve personally struggled with navigating legal challenges on a tight budget and wished for a solution like this."

Initially targeting small businesses in the UK and US, GitLaw aims to create a dynamic, collaborative community. The platform’s medium-term goal includes expanding its coverage to civil law, while its long-term vision imagines a system where citizens can contribute to drafting and updating national legislation transparently.

The name

GitLaw

draws inspiration from Git technology, widely used in open-source software development, symbolising the platform’s mission of collaboration and transparency.

Holzherr believes

GitLaw

has the potential to democratise access to legal support for startups, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on innovation without the burden of prohibitive legal fees.

Find out more about Gitlaw at:

https://gitlaw.co/explore

By Anushka Malhotra

2 Dec

£6.75 Million Boost for West Midlands Creative Tech Firms

The creative technology sector in the West Midlands has received a significant boost with £6.75 million in funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This investment will support training, research, and development in cutting-edge fields such as video gaming and immersive reality, driving innovation and growth in the region.

The programme, named CreaTech Frontiers, unites the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Birmingham City, Coventry, Warwick, and Birmingham universities, and the tech industry to foster collaboration and skill-building. It will leverage technologies like virtual reality, 3D modelling, and animation to develop new applications for live events, theatre, music, and film.

Performance initiatives under this programme include showcases by the RSC at the 2026 South by Southwest Festival in Texas and collaborative projects by Birmingham Opera Group and The Rep Theatre, targeting underprivileged youth in the West Midlands.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli from Birmingham City University, who is leading the project, highlighted the region’s unique strengths:

“CreaTech Frontiers will harness the diverse talent pool, world-class research, and vibrant arts scene in the West Midlands to drive innovation and business growth.”

Merseyside will also benefit from an equivalent £6.75 million for its MusicFutures project, aimed at supporting musicians, educators, and small businesses in leveraging new technology.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasised the initiative’s goal of bridging opportunity gaps:

“This funding puts Birmingham and the West Midlands at the forefront of a new creative tech industry, shaping the future of visual effects in film, theatre, and gaming.”

The Creative Industries Clusters program, delivered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, underscores the UK’s commitment to regional innovation and the growth of creative sub-sectors nationwide.

By Anushka Malhotra

27 Nov

West Midlands STEM Skills Drive to Create Over 100 Jobs

The West Midlands is set to bolster the UK’s digital and STEM skills landscape with the creation of over 100 specialist jobs at two innovation-focused companies. The initiative aligns with the region's commitment to advancing technology education and research.

Wolverhampton-based School of Coding & AI has announced plans to expand into Birmingham, creating up to 100 higher education roles in technology over the next three years. The organisation, established in 2017, works with schools, colleges, and businesses to deliver training in STEM disciplines, coding, computer science, AI, and cybersecurity.

As part of a new partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, School of Coding & AI will launch a 12,000 sq ft campus on Livery Street, Central Birmingham, with a vision to open five more campuses across the UK by 2025.

CEO Manny Athwal expressed enthusiasm for the expansion:

“We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Wolverhampton, a global leader in cybersecurity research. From our Birmingham campus, we aim to equip a new generation with the expertise needed for exciting tech careers.”

In addition, SI Group, a global leader in performance additives and chemical technologies, is relocating its European R&D lab from Manchester to Four Ashes near Wolverhampton. This move will create 15 technical roles in chemistry, polymer science, and materials science.

The new facility will focus on developing innovative products, supporting R&D initiatives, and offering internships for local university students, fostering connections between academia and industry.

Councillor Stephen Simkins of Wolverhampton Council praised the initiatives:

“Wolverhampton continues to lead in digital technology and innovation. These projects not only create jobs but align with our region’s skills agenda, ensuring residents benefit from emerging opportunities in STEM and technology.”

The developments contribute to the West Midlands’ broader vision, which includes initiatives like the Green Innovation Corridor and the West Midlands Investment Zone, aimed at driving business growth and technological advancement.

By Anushka Malhotra

26 Nov

Midven and FundingHero Launch £1m Partnership to Propel West Midlands High-Growth Businesses

Midven has unveiled a £1 million partnership with FundingHero, aimed at supporting the region’s most promising high-growth businesses. This collaboration is set to provide companies with the tools and funding they need to secure substantial equity investments and scale their operations.

The initiative will be spearheaded by FundingHero’s accelerator program, which equips businesses with the skills and strategies to navigate the equity investment landscape. The next cohort, starting in January 2025, promises to connect businesses with significant funding opportunities.

Investment Opportunities for Promising Startups

During the program’s demo day, participating businesses will pitch to investors, including Midven’s team. Companies may receive term sheets of up to £1 million from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, subject to approval, due diligence, and contractual agreements.

The program focuses on businesses with proven initial traction and high growth potential, seeking to raise between £250,000 and £3 million in angel or venture capital funding.

"This partnership reflects our commitment to discovering and nurturing innovative businesses in the West Midlands,"

said Rupert Lyle, Fund Principal for the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, managed by Midven.

"FundingHero’s accelerator has an impressive track record in preparing companies for successful investment rounds."

Comprehensive Support for Entrepreneurs

Led by CFO and founder Jim Shirley, FundingHero offers a blend of workshops and tailored one-on-one support, ensuring businesses are well-prepared to attract and manage equity investments.

"Our program is designed to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and confidence to secure funding," said Shirley. "By partnering with Midven, we’re enhancing the opportunities for high-growth businesses to thrive in the West Midlands."

Driving Innovation and Growth in the Region

The partnership comes as part of a broader effort to bolster the region’s startup ecosystem, positioning the West Midlands as a hub for innovation and investment. With Midven and FundingHero’s combined expertise, the initiative seeks to unlock growth potential for companies across diverse industries.

By Anushka Malhotra

18 Nov