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 #WestMidlands has been named as one of Europe's top three most innovative regions! The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) has named our region in its top three shortlist of this year's prestigious European Capital of Innovation Award, also known as iCapital. At the launch of #ItStartsHere, the West Midlands’ flagship campaign, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, announced our position in the iCapital award which recognises towns and cities that successfully connect local people with the private and public sectors to improve their well-being, whilst also boosting game-changing innovation.  Richard Parker said: “This recognition highlights the impact of the incredible work happening here, and I’m excited to see how we continue to lead the way, creating opportunities and making a difference for communities across the West Midlands and beyond.” Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKcxgRwe #WMItStartsHere #Innovation #InvestWM 

It Starts Here. Last week we officially unveiled our bold new inward investment campaign designed to transform the West Midlands' perceptions on a global stage. Developed in collaboration with organisations across the region, It Starts Here seeks to reinforce and reinvigorate the region’s brand as dynamic and confident within a fiercely competitive international marketplace. With a focus on demonstrating the region’s innovation-led strengths, the campaign narrative positions the West Midlands as the place where “disruptive minds meet” and “breakthroughs begin”, aiming to inspire a shared mantra of confidence and assertive ‘new era’ for the region. It Starts Here will span a number of sub-campaigns focused on the region’s key growth sectors, including creative and digital technology, future mobility, life sciences, and professional services. Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company, has commented: "International competition for investment is fierce; with global investors citing access to innovation capabilities as their number one priority. In response to this, we’ve developed a campaign that asserts our past and present ingenuity in a distinct and compelling way – and that speaks to all corners of our region. Inward investment is fundamentally about growth and job creation, but we must have clarity and conviction in our strengths to obtain it. And so, I’m inviting organisations from across the West Midlands to work with us, and come together to confidently convey that It Starts Here.” For the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/eT4sRDXz #WMItStartsHere #ItStartsHere #WestMidlands #Innovation #InvestWM

Harvey Norman has made its English debut with the launch of a new store at Dudley's merry hill shopping centre.   Our Chief Investment Officer Dan Storer and Senior Business Development Executive La Tess Bartlett, MBA joined Councillor Patrick Harley, Leader of Dudley Council and members of Harvey Norman's senior management team yesterday morning for the launch of the 57,000 sq ft flagship store, which represents their chosen entry point into the English market.   The new Merry Hill store marks the first in a wave of #WestMidlands investments for Harvey Norman, which is set to create hundreds more jobs in the near future. Watch this space!   Read more at Retail Gazette 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTkXUdsG #InvestWM #HarveyNorman #Investment

It Starts Here! Entrepreneurs, senior business leaders, government officials and local authority representatives gathered last night for the launch of the West Midlands’ new flagship inward investment campaign – "It Starts Here". Chaired by Foreign Direct Investment specialist Courtney Fingar, the event saw keynote speeches from Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Neil Rami, Chief Executive Officer at West Midlands Growth Company. Rabia Raza, Head of Media & Communications and Charlotte Ridley MBA FCIM, Head of Marketing at West Midlands Growth Company respectively, introduced the It Starts Here campaign to the audience, providing an insight into the formation of the campaign narrative, the creative delivery and how West Midlands businesses, R&D organisations and the region’s educational ecosystem can get involved. To conclude the evening, a panel of experts – consisting of Murray Paul, Public Affairs Director at JLR, Melissa Snover, CEO & Founder of Get Nourish3d, Joanne Roney, Managing Director at Birmingham City Council and Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick – discussed why the West Midlands is a hotbed of innovation. Find out more about the It Starts Here campaign now: https://lnkd.in/et85EbZt #WMItStartsHere #WestMidlands #Innovation

The West Midlands is the place for ambitious, exciting tech companies looking to develop and scale cutting-edge technologies. That was a key message delivered throughout day three of Birmingham Tech Week at TechWM’s Global Growth Congress, where members of the West Midlands Growth Company presented the wealth of opportunities available to UK and international companies across the region. Dan Storer, Chief Investment Officer at WMGC, set the scene in the main room about the scale of regional innovation, while a dedicated FDI session held throughout the afternoon gave investors a fascinating insight into why companies are rethinking workspace and place to drive innovation, how West Midlands companies are delivering world-beating innovation from the heart of the UK and the story behind innovative firms in the region revolutionising manufacturing with 5G. Harpal Mattu and John Catarinich of Agilyx Group joined Ashlene Smith, Innovation & Scale-Up Manager at West Midlands Growth Company, for a fireside chat discussing their experience on the Global Growth Programme; the region’s unique, fully funded UK market entry support initiative for international companies. A huge thank you to all the speakers who provided their industry-leading expertise – Michael Clifford (EY), Sarah Windrum (HORIBA MIRA), Alison Kilby (Arup), Joanna Birch (Woodbourne Group), John Burt (Medherant Limited), Kieran Borrett (Plug and Play Tech Center), Will Flint (Energym®), Lesley Holt (WM5G), Jessica Ellis (WM5G) and Mike Barlow (Ericsson). #btw2024 #birminghamtechweek #westmidlands #innovation #techcommunity

The Global Growth Congress at TechWM’s #BirminghamTechWeek has arrived! Today we welcome tech industry experts to explore global challenges, opportunities and collaborations in #tech. Join us in Ashstead Suite 1 at Eastside Rooms at 2.10pm as we uncover pioneering capabilities in the #WestMidlands and how our region is delivering world-beating innovation far beyond its borders. #BTW24 #WMItStartsHere #ItStartsHere

It has begun! The UK’s largest regional tech festival – TechWM’s Birmingham Tech Week – kicked off its 2024 edition yesterday with its annual Leadership Event, gathering senior business leaders, government representatives, entrepreneurs and founders to discuss how the West Midlands can develop its position as a world-class tech hub. Neil Rami, CEO of the West Midlands Growth Company, provided an insight into global and UK inward investment conditions, how the West Midlands remains the top performing UK region for FDI outside London and the exciting initiatives West Midlands Growth Company is promoting to maintain this momentum. Find out more about how your business could benefit from a wealth of opportunities available within the West Midlands’ tech ecosystem by attending Wednesday’s Global Growth Congress. https://lnkd.in/eNzqJddh Photo's courtesy of Edwin Ladd & TechWM. #btw2024 #birminghamtechweek #techconference #techcommunity

⚡Join the #GlobalGrowthProgramme's network of world-leading R&D facilities and supercharge the UK's shift to #electrification. The #WestMidlands boasts a close-knit network of industry-leading facilities including the £130m UK Battery Industrialisation Centre - UKBIC - and the eagerly anticipated Greenpower Park in Coventry. Pioneering businesses can also access: ✅ Consultations with WMG, University of Warwick's Energy Innovation Centre and Coventry University's Cell Prototyping Centre. ✅ Battery manufacturing support from MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre and UKBIC. ✅ Sponsored office and workshop facilities at one of our six innovation hubs. ✅ Membership of the University of Warwick Science Park community. Rapidly scale your business in the West Midlands 👉 https://bit.ly/4eMivCq #InvestWM #ScaleUpInTheWestMidlands #WMItStartsHere #ItStartsHere

Are you developing the technology that could drive the UK toward its #NetZero targets? The #GlobalGrowthProgramme, in partnership with WMG, University of Warwick and NatWest, offers participants the opportunity to apply for the Clean Transport Accelerator. This programme is designed to help ambitious companies transform the next generation of transport and fast-track their innovations. Alongside nine months of fully-funded support from the Global Growth Programme, the Clean Transport Accelerator offers: ✅ Access to state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. ✅ 1-1 mentoring from experienced accelerator managers. ✅ Access to a rich network of academia, businesses and government representatives. Spaces are limited, so register now to begin decarbonising the UK’s transport sector! 👉 https://bit.ly/4eMivCq #InvestWM #ScaleUpInTheWestMidlands #WMItStartsHere #ItStartsHere