150 West Midlands digital businesses set for growth support

Birmingham City University’s (BCU) STEAMhouse is extending funded memberships to local digital small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance the digital ecosystem in the West Midlands. These memberships, which are part of the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, position STEAMhouse as one of only two partners in the Midlands engaged in this initiative.

The programme aims to support the growth of digital businesses in the region by providing them with access to resources, networking opportunities, and collaborative platforms. Through these funded memberships, SMEs can tap into a wealth of expertise and facilities offered by STEAMhouse, fostering innovation and technological advancement within the local digital sector. This initiative not only promotes economic development but also strengthens the community of digital enterprises in the West Midlands.

“Our support for Birmingham City University and similar organisations highlights our ongoing commitment to support the tech sector, which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.” 

The STEAMhouse membership provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to a variety of exclusive events, tools, knowledge, and mentoring opportunities. This initiative is designed to enhance their skills, develop their products and services, and contribute to the growth of the digital industry in the region. Through this membership, SMEs can engage in collaborative projects, gain insights from industry experts, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to innovate and expand their business footprint in the West Midlands’ vibrant digital sector.

For Joanna Birch, Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability at BCU, the programme is another example of positive impact STEAMhouse is having on the local economy: “The funding received through Barclays Eagle Labs will help make the STEAMhouse even more accessible to local businesses across our region. 

“Our membership programme is set up to encourage collaboration across industries and I’m excited to see what kind of businesses come forward to take up the paid membership offer.”

“We will we continue to champion the uptake of digital innovation in the West Midlands because it supports the growth of local businesses today and ensures our graduates have high quality career opportunities in emerging industries, available right on their doorstep.”

Successful applicants to the STEAMhouse scheme will gain access to the newly established Digital Labs. With an investment of £2.5 million, this 90m² specialist technology lab is equipped to simplify digital innovation by providing hands-on experience with the latest technologies, strategic development workshops, digital skills training, and community events.

The lab features key equipment such as 3D printers, virtual reality (VR) technology, motion capture suits, and even a professional podcasting setup, all available for free use due to the funding provided by the grant.

Additionally, members can attend events that cover topics like immersive media, artificial intelligence (AI), and VR. These sessions, led by industry leaders, offer valuable networking opportunities with other businesses and experts while also providing practical skills development. This initiative aims to foster a thriving digital community and promote advanced technological integration among SMEs in the region.