West Midlands

With an action plan, Launchpad and Innovation Accelerator, we are driving local impact in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Innovation Landscape

As the UK’s innovation system, we work across the country. We also know that each part of the country is unique with its own strengths and challenges. We are committed to working closely with partners and regional initiatives to ensure you get what you need to innovate and succeed.

With a GVA of £133bn, a population of 5.95m, 437k businesses and 2.7m employees, the West Midlands is home to the UK’s fastest-growing tech sector, worth £15.3bn. With more start-ups in Birmingham than any other UK city outside London (for seven consecutive years), companies can access over 100 tech hubs, commercial test beds, accelerators and collaboration facilities. This includes eleven science parks and nine world-class higher education institutions, to scale innovative products and services into the UK market.

A leading region for UK innovation when it comes to automotive and aerospace – with every £1 of Government spending for Research & Development translating in to £4 of business investment.

Working with West Midlands Combined Authority, we have co-created the West Midlands Local Action Plan.

REGIONAL ACTION PLAN

We are working with leaders across the West Midlands to strengthen UK capability

Through strategic collaboration, Innovate UK will embed the West Midlands as a place of possibility, catalysing agile ecosystems where technology, services and processes can be developed and commercialised for maximum impact. This action plan harnesses the region’s strengths, reaffirming shared goals to unlock economic growth, productivity gains and inclusive prosperity. Watch the West Midlands Action Plan highlights video and download the Action Plan.

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Innovation Accelerator programme

Innovation Accelerator programme

The West Midlands is one of the three city regions, investing a share of £100m to grow jobs, skills, and the economy through the flagship Innovation Accelerator programme. Innovate UK, on behalf of UK Research & Innovation, has worked in partnership with the West Midlands to co-create the programme and identify 5 ambitious local projects over 2 years. These projects are delivered collectively against an agreed set of objectives.

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Launchpads programme

Working with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, and the West Midlands Combined Authority, Innovate UK is delighted to support the immersive and creative industries with a Launchpad. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are also collaborating to support the universities at the heart of this cluster. Learn more about the Launchpads programme.

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Launchpads programme

Related programmes

Net Zero Living

Net Zero Living

Innovate UK’s £60 million, three-year Net Zero Living programme aims to help regional authorities and businesses accelerate the transition to net zero, across the UK and internationally.

Create Growth Programme

Create Growth Programme

Helping businesses in England convert their creative potential into creative growth.

Innovate Local

Innovate Local

Working alongside partners, businesses and stakeholders, Innovate UK hosts this series of events to help innovative businesses maximise their success.

OPPORTUNITIES

Explore regional opportunities in the West Midlands

Explore opportunities

Related Case Studies

<strong>TotalControlPro:</strong> Helping to embrace changes in the Manufacturing sector

TotalControlPro: Helping to embrace changes in the Manufacturing sector

<strong>Autocraft:</strong> Deploying digital solutions in a traditional manufacturing business

Autocraft: Deploying digital solutions in a traditional manufacturing business

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
12
Mar
2024

Innovate Local - West Midlands

09.30 - 14.00 | West Midlands

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See all events

Related News

New action plan launched to boost innovation in West Midlands

21/07/2023

New action plan launched to boost innovation in West Midlands

Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have announced a new strategic partnership to strengthen innovation in the region.

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Multimodal Hubs: accelerating new solutions

08/12/2023

Multimodal Hubs: accelerating new solutions

On Wednesday 29 November Innovate UK KTN gathered in Milton Keynes, bringing together Local Authorities, Mobility operators and cutting-edge digital businesses discussing the future of Multimodal Hubs.

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Innovate UK’s Innovate Local comes to The Black Country

26/03/2024

Innovate UK’s Innovate Local comes to The Black Country

Thanks to all the businesses and regional stakeholders that joined us last week for the inaugural Innovate Local for the region hosted at the BCIMO in Dudley.

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More News

CONTACT US

Get support with your innovation

Engage with us wherever you are, for region-specific innovation, collaboration, and investment opportunities.

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