Invest West Midlands UK (West Midlands Growth Company)

Never been done, is what we do. For over two centuries, the global economy has been shaped by West Midlands-borne technologies. Today, the region’s unmatched history of invention is defining the twenty-first century as we know it. From steam power and battery technology to the Ibuprofen patch and life-saving diagnostics, the West Midlands remains the place where breakthroughs begin. The launch of our flagship inward investment campaign, “It Starts Here”, showcases our bold and dynamic attitude to innovation across the region; as a place where disruptive minds meet and businesses scale. From alternative propulsion for a cleaner future, to cyber security for a safer tomorrow, the tech revolution always starts in the West Midlands. Discover why It Starts Here now: https://lnkd.in/et85EbZt #wmitstartshere #itstartshere #westmidlands #innovation

The future of genomic medicine is fluid. With the single purpose of developing a non-invasive DNA test, two scientists were able to take innovation from brainstorm to breakthrough in the West Midlands. Nonacus based their name on the Latin term 'non acus' meaning "no needle" – it symbolises their pioneering work on a less intrusive and safer diagnostic procedure. By moving away from procedures like tissue biopsies and amniocentesis, Nonacus are redefining the standard of care in cancer diagnostics, and their GALEAS Bladder offers a truly non-invasive test, designed to detect cancer from a urine sample, without ever subjecting a patient to a single needle. Starting their West Midlands journey at Birmingham Research Park’s BioHub, Nonacus rapidly connected with a network of hospitals, medical schools, and research institutions that accelerated the development of their life-changing solution. Chris Sale, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Nonacus, explains why he selected Birmingham to transform Nonacus’ offering: 🗣️ “I feel that Oxford or Cambridge may have been able to provide similar skills, but not in such a concentrated way. Our proximity to key partners was critical to the pace of innovation, and also being able to access such a rich talent pool. There’s a huge depth of talent here in the Midlands.” Discover the legacy of the West Midlands. Embrace its innovation. See why life-changing science starts here. https://bit.ly/4iLUtJb #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #ItStartsBirmingham #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech

Working in a laboratory or with patients comes with high stakes. These environments require highly talented individuals who have honed their skills for years to deliver outcomes when there is no room for error. So how do you train for these moments? Companies like FourPlus Immersive have revolutionised training in areas such as medicine and advanced therapy manufacturing by creating VR laboratory training simulations. What is traditionally a high-risk, material, labour, and equipment-intensive process is now fully accessible without the risk and waste. Applying an example of ‘gaming tech’ to an industry like life sciences can have a transformational impact, enhancing processes that could ultimately save lives. In this melting pot of cross-sector collaboration, disruptive minds are redefining the future of treatments, testing and diagnosis. Life-Changing Sciences – It Starts Here https://bit.ly/3X9Ia0V #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech 

When you think of the West Midlands, what industries come to mind? If you don't think "life sciences", then perhaps you didn’t know that: 🦴 The world’s first spinal X-ray… 🧠 The first treatment for brain cancer… 💊 And early work on anti-inflammatories… were all pioneered here in the West Midlands. For years, our region has been quietly building one of the strongest life sciences propositions in the UK, and organisations like PHTA Ltd are stepping into the spotlight as a global innovation powerhouse. As the anchor tenant for the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, nestled between one of the UK’s largest medical schools and one of the UK’s largest hospitals, PHTA connects doctors, scientists, and innovators to turn cutting-edge research into life-saving treatments. PHTA is led by Gino Martini, who believes that collaboration is what makes the West Midlands’ offering so unique, and that it is the key to idea generation. 🗣️ ‘A famous company tried to map where inventions were happening in their business. They found that most sparks centred around coffee machines and canteens, the places where people mingle and collaborate. That’s what the PHTA will do, bring together clinicians, scientists, doctors and spark ideas for innovation.’ The next life-changing breakthrough starts here. Want to be a part of it? Discover how PHTA is shaping the future of life sciences: https://bit.ly/4iNCYbz P.S. Here’s your reminder to grab a coffee; it might just spark your next big idea ☕ #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #ItStartsBirmingham #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech

SuperTech WM - the UK's only professional technologies supercluster - are continuing to drive the next generation of services from the West Midlands with the launch of its Legal Onboarding Innovation Challenge.   The first collaborative open innovation programme of its kind in the UK, the challenge is calling on technology SMEs to help tackle and build solutions to some of the ongoing challenges faced by law firms, and sees SuperTech partner with leading international law firms Fieldfisher, Mills & Reeve, and Birmingham-headquartered Gateley Legal.   Designed to be mutually beneficial for tech companies and law firms, the challenge looks at addressing issues in client onboarding, compliance, and risk management - key issues for law firms - whilst helping tech companies develop solutions that truly address the daily realities of legal practice.   For more on this opportunity 👇   #SuperTech #WestMidlands #NextGenerationServices #WMItStartsHere #LawTech

Looking beyond the Golden Triangle? Here are 3 reasons why the future of UK life sciences starts in the West Midlands: 📈 Affordability meets ambition Our region offers world-class infrastructure without the price tag. Here, you will find leading research institutions, pioneering SMEs, and forward-thinking labs that can drive innovation and facilitate breakthroughs that positively impact lives. 🧬 Collaboration is in our DNA The West Midlands is blessed with some of the world’s leading universities in medical research and discovery. Proximity to establishments like University of Birmingham, Coventry University, and University of Warwick offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of life sciences innovation. 🚀 Government-backed The West Midlands is a recognised UK Investment Zone and, with its three unique sites, will aim to deliver £5.5bn of investment and create 30,000 jobs in the region. Birmingham Knowledge Quarter is one of the three sites that will focus on health-tech research, boosting innovation in the sector and elevating disruptive minds to create globally-impacting capabilities. Gino Martini, CEO at PHTA Ltd, discusses why the future of life sciences starts in the West Midlands 👇 https://bit.ly/4kI9fT7 #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech #InvestmentZone

When Professor David Haddleton left the West Midlands decades ago, he couldn’t have known that his career would lead him back to the place it all began. Or that he would help revolutionise women’s health. Medherant Limited's story isn’t just about science and leading research. It’s about solving a problem that has been overlooked for generations – the silence around women’s post-menopause health. For too long, women around the world have endured menopausal symptoms, like plummeting testosterone levels, without any approved treatments to address the issue. Until Medherant created the perfect solution. Using an innovative transdermal patch, controlled doses of testosterone can be administered discreetly through the skin. No needles. No pills. Technology like this transforms people’s lives and is evidence of the innovation that starts in the West Midlands. 💡Prof Haddleton has some advice for the innovators: “Keep interacting with the outside world. Innovation and research are great but always think about how and why your research will be useful. Think about how you can contribute to society, and what problem you’re going to solve.” Read how Medherant is transforming women's health 👇 https://bit.ly/3FDC2rW #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech

Fast cancer diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. In the West Midlands, AI is making that possible. Home to world-leading universities like the University of Warwick, the West Midlands is no stranger to ground-breaking businesses that are pushing the boundaries of technology in collaboration with our educational institutions. PathLAKE is one of five Innovate UK-funded centres of excellence for the development of AI in digital pathology and radiology. A trailblazing consortium of NHS trusts, universities and industry partners, PathLAKE is a shining example of what can be achieved through a powerful network of academia, research and innovation. With their AI-powered diagnostics, doctors can detect cancer earlier, significantly improving the delivery of life-saving treatments to patients. The AI revolution in pathology? It Starts Here. #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech

EcoFlow have set their sights on the West Midlands for its new UK headquarters! A global pioneer in portable power and home energy solutions, EcoFlow have chosen #Birmingham in the West Midlands as the location for its new UK headquarters, where it plans to create 35 new jobs to drive its growth ambitions. Headquartered in China, EcoFlow supports the global transition towards #renewableenergy through their industry-leading portable power products, solar technology, and smart home energy solutions. Their exciting new UK base will be on Bruntwood SciTech's Innovation Birmingham campus. A prominent location within Birmingham's Knowledge Quarter, part of the West Midlands' flagship Investment Zone. The deal was brokered by West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, as he participates in the UK's biggest trade mission to China for six years, with the aim of rallying economic growth opportunities for the #WestMidlands. Ryan Xing, Managing Director at EcoFlow, said: 🗣"The West Midlands is leading the UK’s green industrial revolution, making it a stand-out destination for our new UK Headquarters." Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 🗣"Our region is open for business. We’re ready to welcome more forward-thinking investors who share our ambition to make the West Midlands a global leader in cutting-edge battery technology and clean energy." Read the full press release here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKK7sxQk #Investment #InvestWestMidlands #InvestmentZone #Jobs

1960 in the West Midlands, a life-saving breakthrough is born: the world’s first patient-controlled pacemaker. More than 80 years on, that legacy of innovation is stronger than ever. Innovation that is harboured by our region’s prestigious universities where disruption isn’t just encouraged; it’s part of the curriculum. Our universities are pioneering a new generation of life-changing technology, with AI-driven drug discovery, robotic labs, and digital health tools that are transforming modern medicine. It Starts Here. 🧬At the University of Birmingham's Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, researchers aren’t just studying disease, they’re outsmarting it. Using AI to map genetic mutations in real-time, teams here collaborate with the NHS to deliver personalised cancer therapies. 🫀Coventry University's Centre for Intelligent Healthcare has pioneered radar contactless heart sound detection by applying radar technology. This less-invasive testing is re-writing the rules of diagnostics whilst making the process more accessible and comfortable for patients. In our region, innovation isn’t only about high-tech products, it’s about solving real problems and improving the lives of people around the world. Want to be part of the next breakthrough? Explore how you can innovate with us 👇 https://bit.ly/43VDYG9 #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #LifeChangingScience #LifeSciences #MedTech #ItStartsBirmingham #ItStartsCoventry