West Midlands unveils £1M initiative to boost its tech sector

The West Midlands is set to benefit from a new £1 million support programme aimed at energizing its tech and digital sectors through various innovative projects.

This funding, distributed among five pivotal initiatives, was first announced last October, with detailed allocations unveiled today. These ventures are strategically designed to enhance the region’s stature within the tech industry.

RBC Brewin Dolphin has been allocated £200,000 to facilitate a programme that connects investors with mature businesses poised for external funding. An additional £200,000 is dedicated to a green tech innovation challenge, supporting companies tackling sustainability hurdles.

Another significant portion, £160,000, is directed towards establishing a new AI centre of excellence. Here, AND Digital, a UK-based skills expert, will assist manufacturers in adopting AI technologies and services.

Further strengthening the region’s tech capabilities, £140,000 will launch a digital skills consortium project aimed at refining tech training and attracting fresh talent. The remaining £300,000 is earmarked for a project designed to integrate the tech sector more closely with the broader business community, including the establishment of a physical hub at the iCentrum building on the Innovation Birmingham Campus and an online tech platform.

This announcement was made at the third annual West Midlands Tech Review event in Wolverhampton, hosted by TechWM. The event saw participation from over 300 tech leaders, including founders, CEOs, investors, and public officials.

TechWM’s founder and chief executive, Yiannis Maos, expressed his enthusiasm: “This landmark £1 million investment in the region’s tech sector is going to move the dial for businesses in the ecosystem and beyond. I’m tremendously proud of the commitment that has been made by TechWM and our partners to these ambitious but crucially needed initiatives. Each of the five projects will take us a step closer to our aim of being recognised as a global tech superpower, cementing the West Midlands’ reputation as the one to watch worldwide.”

Additionally, TechWM is collaborating with Birmingham-based software company OneAdvanced on a project to enhance regional support for tech businesses. They are also set to produce an impact report to track the development of the region’s digital economy and tech sector.

TechUK and TechWM have also entered a strategic partnership to tackle key regional challenges such as the skills gap, funding, and digital integration. Julian David, chief executive of TechUK, stated: “We are committed to ensuring the strength of tech companies, large and small, from across the UK’s nations and regions are at the heart of our work and national policy decision making. In our pursuit of this goal, we recognise the significance of empowering our members with a robust national platform and network while fostering close collaborations with influential voices and initiatives, particularly in dynamic hubs like the West Midlands. Formalising our partnership with TechWM is a pivotal step towards unlocking the full potential of this region, nurturing its tech ecosystem and amplifying its impact on the broader tech landscape.”