BCIMO introduces clean futures catalyst networking initiative

The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) has announced that its mission “New Year, New Venue, New Opportunities” is progressing steadily. They have launched a new business networking group at their venue located in the heart of the Black Country.

As a fundamental aspect of the flagship Clean Futures project, which aims to enhance understanding of the challenges and opportunities on the regional journey towards achieving Net Zero and decarbonisation collectively, networking plays a role within the comprehensive Catalyst program. This program includes themed workshops and events for businesses.

The Catalyst program is being delivered alongside the two-year Accelerator program. Additionally, a third component, the Commercial Investment Hub, focusing on the long-term sustainability of the program, is also in development and is scheduled for launch in April. More details on this will be provided soon. The Clean Futures project is led by Connected Places Catapult in collaboration with BCIMO, Coventry University, and CU Services Ltd. It is part of the broader West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, delivered in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Innovate UK, UK Research and Innovation, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology.

The goal of the Catalyst program is to create a cluster of West Midlands SMEs who share the objective of developing Clean Technology. It also involves engagement with industry leaders to explore models of best practices and a series of masterclasses to enhance core leadership knowledge and skills.

Consequently, the networking group is designed to promote connections and collaboration among businesses already operating in the ‘green’ innovation sectors, specifically energy and fuels, logistics and infrastructure, circular economy, and sustainable supply chain. It is also open to businesses interested in exploring the various opportunities presented by the growing clean, green innovative technologies that are essential for our sustainable future.

Situated at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, BCIMO possesses specific expertise in the rail sector and collaborates closely with other organizations in the broader innovative transport sector. They welcome businesses that are already operating within these industries and those interested in learning more about working within or innovating for transport.

The first session will take place from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Wednesday, 14th February, in the center’s Exhibition Hall. It will provide ample opportunities to meet and converse with other businesses alongside the BCIMO team. Each meeting will revolve around a core theme of green innovation, starting with an overview of sustainable development and ways in which small businesses can formulate and implement their own green strategy.

The networking meetings also offer a chance to explore the new facilities at BCIMO, with a tour that includes the Rail Development & Test Site and its array of versatile Meeting & Event Spaces. At the inaugural networking meeting, the team is excited to share details of the upcoming Clean Futures Catalyst launch event at the STEAMhouse in Birmingham on 28th February.

Helen Wolf, Marketing & Commercial Officer at BCIMO said: “As a former university lecturer in responsible and ethical business, and passionate local green entrepreneur myself, I know how incredibly important it is for us to tackle the broad range of complex and interrelated environmental challenges we increasingly now face, not just for the wider global sustainable development agenda, but for the sustainable development and so long-term success of our own businesses.

“And although we can and should all make changes to the way we do business individually; we can achieve so much more by coming together as a business community. Opportunities to connect and collaborate are absolutely essential to creativity and innovation within all sectors, and even more vital as we ‘go green’, so I’m really excited to be part of the BCIMO team as we launch our Clean Futures Catalyst networking group.”