Latest news with #WestMidlandsGrowthCompany
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Successful UK market entry programme set to launch for third consecutive year at London Tech Week
PRNewswire Birmingham [England], June 5: The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) - the region's official investment promotion agency - will launch its 2025 Global Growth Programme at a special breakfast event on Wednesday 11th June during London Tech Week. The launch of the unique UK market entry programme follows the success of the 2024 programme, which supported 17 innovation-led, high-growth international and UK companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands. The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover will take place from 9am at The Shard in partnership with Warwick Business School, showcasing the West Midlands' world-class innovation strengths and the opportunities on offer for ambitious, fast-growing businesses. The Global Growth Programme, now in its third consecutive year, is a fully-funded, nine month package of support for international technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. The programme offers fully sponsored workspace at a choice of six innovation hubs across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry. Companies on the programme choose from 20 specialist sector support packages, designed around four key sectors - Health Tech, Clean Tech, Digital Tech and Future Mobility. These packages are designed to optimise market entry success by providing companies with access to commercial networks, R & D assets and innovation centres across the region. The programme provides bespoke support to streamline the UK investment process for international businesses, from market entry to help with visas and sourcing accommodation. It is supported by a number of innovation focused partners including: Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R & D Midlands Campaign'; Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Warwick Science Park and Tyseley Energy Park. The success of West Midlands Global Growth Programme (2024/25) was enabled by funding partners: Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; and by Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R & D Midlands Campaign'. As part of The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover, Taras Matselyukh, CEO at Netherlands-based OPT/NET, which delivers high quality AI solutions and software for critical infrastructure systems operators, will speak about his experience of taking part in the West Midlands Global Growth Programme and reasons for investing in Birmingham. Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: "There's never been a more exciting time to be part of the West Midlands' business ecosystem; its burgeoning tech sector, world-class talent pool and exceptional R & D infrastructure make it the ideal environment for innovation-led international companies to turbocharge their expansion plans. "Over the past two years, our Global Growth Programme has proven a successful blueprint, providing disruptive and dynamic international companies like OPT/NET with the right support to realise their UK growth ambitions. I look forward to working with a whole new wave of companies in 2025." Taras Matselyukh, CEO at OPT/NET, said: "With its strong pipeline of potential clients and a world-class R & D ecosystem, Birmingham's STEAMhouse was the clear choice for our new UK hub. Supported by the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, we've rapidly established valuable partnerships, enhanced our UK market presence, and gained an ideal environment to continue next-gen development of OPT/NET's flagship product - OptOSS AI." 15 places are available for the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2025. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Photo -
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Successful UK market entry programme set to launch for third consecutive year at London Tech Week
West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) inviting applications from eligible companies for its unique UK market entry programme, with 15 places available for 2025/26. Launch of 2025 Global Growth Programme during London Tech Week follows success of 2024 programme, which supported 17 UK and international companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands . BIRMINGHAM, England , June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the region's official investment promotion agency – will launch its 2025 Global Growth Programme at a special breakfast event on Wednesday 11th June during London Tech Week. The launch of the unique UK market entry programme follows the success of the 2024 programme, which supported 17 innovation-led, high-growth international and UK companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands . The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover will take place from 9am at The Shard in partnership with Warwick Business School, showcasing the West Midlands' world-class innovation strengths and the opportunities on offer for ambitious, fast-growing businesses. The Global Growth Programme, now in its third consecutive year, is a fully-funded, nine month package of support for international technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. The programme offers fully sponsored workspace at a choice of six innovation hubs across Birmingham , Wolverhampton and Coventry . Companies on the programme choose from 20 specialist sector support packages, designed around four key sectors – Health Tech, Clean Tech, Digital Tech and Future Mobility. These packages are designed to optimise market entry success by providing companies with access to commercial networks, R&D assets and innovation centres across the region. The programme provides bespoke support to streamline the UK investment process for international businesses, from market entry to help with visas and sourcing accommodation. It is supported by a number of innovation focused partners including: Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign'; Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Warwick Science Park and Tyseley Energy Park. The success of West Midlands Global Growth Programme (2024/25) was enabled by funding partners: Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; and by Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign'. As part of The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover, Taras Matselyukh, CEO at Netherlands -based OPT/NET, which delivers high quality AI solutions and software for critical infrastructure systems operators, will speak about his experience of taking part in the West Midlands Global Growth Programme and reasons for investing in Birmingham . Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: 'There's never been a more exciting time to be part of the West Midlands' business ecosystem; its burgeoning tech sector, world-class talent pool and exceptional R&D infrastructure make it the ideal environment for innovation-led international companies to turbocharge their expansion plans. 'Over the past two years, our Global Growth Programme has proven a successful blueprint, providing disruptive and dynamic international companies like OPT/NET with the right support to realise their UK growth ambitions. I look forward to working with a whole new wave of companies in 2025.' Taras Matselyukh, CEO at OPT/NET, said: 'With its strong pipeline of potential clients and a world-class R&D ecosystem, Birmingham's STEAMhouse was the clear choice for our new UK hub. Supported by the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, we've rapidly established valuable partnerships, enhanced our UK market presence, and gained an ideal environment to continue next-gen development of OPT/NET's flagship product – OptOSS AI.' 15 places are available for the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2025. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Photo – Logo –
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Major regeneration investment opportunities in the West Midlands on offer
Regeneration bosses are looking to attract £19bn worth of investment in the West Midlands from national and global developers in HS2 terminals to affordable housing schemes and town centre than 60 investment sites are being promoted by county mayor Richard Parker at a trade show in Leeds this include Smithfield Birmingham, which is a £1.9bn regeneration of 17 hectares in the city, and the £3.2bn Arden Cross development, which spans 140 hectares around the HS2 Interchange Station in the investment bid comes ahead of the West Midlands Local Growth Plan being unveiled next month. The sites are being promoted by the West Midlands Growth Company in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton Parker said more than 1,000 acres of regeneration opportunities were being showcased under the banner Site Selection WM at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum event, which demonstrated "the enormous scale of West Midlands ambition"."By offering a more innovative and transparent way to explore a range of development sites, it marks a step change in how the region engages the global investor community," he said. "From town centre revitalisation projects; to forward-thinking, affordable housing-led schemes – bringing forward the right infrastructure is critical to my mission of fostering growth for everyone," added Mr Parker."I look forward to speaking to new potential partners with a shared commitment to our region's future."Last summer, Lendlease, a global real estate group and developer behind the Smithfield development said it was stepping back from the construction phase of its UK plans, which would see the city's former wholesale markets turned into a new landmark destination including residential living, offices, a park, retail and cultural spaces, were recommended for approval last Monday it emerged that King Charles's property company, the Crown Estate, struck a deal with Lendlease to back major projects, including Smithfield by taking a 50% stake in a new joint venture that also oversees five development schemes in London. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
West Midlands set to host badminton, esports and kabbadi tournaments
A "momentous" month of sport is about to begin in the West Midlands with the region hosting three major international tournaments in of badminton, esports and contact sport kabbadi are set to descend on the region, bringing a significant economic boost, officials tournaments will raise the region's profile as global audiences follow the sports, West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup from 17-23 March is one of nine cultural and sporting events to have shared £3m legacy funding from Birmingham's Commonwealth Games. It will be the first time the competition has been held outside Asia, with the West Midlands welcoming the world's best male and female kabaddi players from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Americas and are to be held in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall, WMGC said, with University of Wolverhampton's Walsall campus hosting women's group games, including England vs Hong Kong and India vs Egypt, as well as the men's quarter-finals. Preceding that, Birmingham's Utilita Arena will once again host the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships, from 11-16 Lavery, strategic lead for major sporting events at WMGC, which is supported by the region's combined authority, said it was an international festival of badminton with players from China, India, Japan and Malaysia competing in the city, which has hosted the tournament since esports tournaments will be also held in Birmingham and Solihull later in the On Birmingham will be held from 26-30 March, in Solihull, which will include the British Esports Cup, on 26 March, West Midlands Unwrapped two days later, and Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2025 Major Birmingham, from 29-30 March. 'Youthful, inclusive and diverse events' All events are anticipated to deliver a "£5.8m impact for the region's economy, with huge global television audiences expected", the WMCA said."March promises to be a momentous month for sport in the West Midlands, with three major events in quick succession," Mr Lavery said."Global audiences will visit or tune in to see a region, which is not only at the heart of sport in the UK, but committed to attracting youthful, inclusive and diverse sporting events. "These tournaments will help to raise the region's profile and deliver real economic and social benefits for the West Midlands."The region has already hosted the Super League Basketball Trophy finals in January and UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February. New regional netball team Birmingham Panthers will also play their first Netball Super League match at BP Pulse Live, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Solihull, on 21 Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said the city was made up of "passionate and knowledgeable sports fans" and it was a major coup to host events leading to an exciting sporting month for the region. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Film tourism: 'Set-jetters' descend on the West Midlands
A global film tourism event could bring much-needed investment and capitalise on an increase in production across the West Midlands, the BBC has been World Screen Tourism Summit in Birmingham in November will hear experts speak about film tourism marketing, destination branding, and visitor West Midlands Growth Company has published a 24-page screen guide for would-be prospectors to mine the region's film locations, some of which will likely benefit from tax relief and other reduced comes as Visit Britain launched a campaign to promote the region as a film and television location base after the success of two major Hollywood productions. In 2021, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise was spotted at Grand Central in Birmingham filming a Dubai airport chase scene for Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, which was released two years 2016, Academy Award-winning film director Steven Spielberg spent two months in the city shooting cityscape and chase scenes for his dystopian drama, Ready Player enjoyed a vehicle chase scene with roads around the city's Jewellery Quarter transformed into a planet on the brink of collapse and where a virtual reality simulation helps people escape the real productions drew big crowds during filming, while photos of the stars were widely shared across social media for weeks on also attracted "set-jetters" – a fast-growing trend where tourists arrive months after shooting on a film or TV drama ends for their own "on location" visiting experience."It's really critical that we get those international visitors in," said Rebecca Frall, head of tourism at the West Midlands Growth Company."We've got people starting new businesses, such as walking tours; we've got other products like Escape Room Lives around the Peaky Blinders; there's Black Sabbath – the Ballet, for example, which is touring around the world."All of these associations with the creative/digital sector are helping to promote the region." In recent years, the Hollywood studios have shifted production out of LA and into Europe due to rising costs, though there has been a push to reverse some of the production exodus following the recent LA fires. In the West Midlands, refining the art of marketing film locations matters because the region's cultural sector is worth around £1.1bn to the local economy and employs more than 16,000 is also under pressure – post-Covid – tourist numbers in the region have fallen and continue to fluctuate. The hospitality industry is also and restaurants would love to reap some of the "Tom Cruise effect".Tourism bosses have found that seven in 10 UK visitors are set-jetting to a film or TV location while visiting Britain, which has prompted a call to do more in the West is hoped that at the inaugural World Screen Tourism Summit – known as SET-JET 25 – in Birmingham, further opportunities will emerge to win investment and help young people enter the film industry. Last autumn, it was believed that scenes from Steven Knight's new Netflix-backed Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, were shot at the Black Country Living Museum, although it has not been production ongoing, exact dates and locations are usually shrouded in parts of the open-air site were used to film various scenes, including Charlie Strong's yard, for the hit TV drama series, which ran from 2013 until museum's staff are delighted to be associated with the Peaky Blinders. "We're proud of it and proud to pay our part. We've noticed an increase in visitors locally, nationally and internationally, said David Middlemiss, the museum's director of development and external affairs."When visitors come here, their eyes are opened to the wider stories that we can tell about the Black Country."Knight, the creator and writer of Peaky Blinders, has backed Visit Britain's two-year "Starring Great Britain" said: "Exciting things are happening here, and we've got ambitious plans to make TV and movies on an international scale from our new Digbeth Loc. Studios."We're setting up in the heart of what was once Peaky Blinders country. I want people to come and experience it for themselves and enjoy what a fantastic area this is." Aside from movies – which include Coventry's role in blockbuster hits like The Italian Job (1968) starring Michael Caine and Nativity! (2009) starring Martin Freeman – a raft of other production companies have chosen to film in the West BBC's All That Glitters, which ran for two series in 2021 and 2022, saw artists compete at the city's 19th-century School of Jewellery building, part of Birmingham City reality TV show led to a surge in interest in jewellery courses in the city."Being able to shout about jewellery to a wider market meant we had lots of student numbers coming through because we have everything on our doorstep," said Andrew Howard, senior lecturer, at the university."We've had walking tours of people who have seen the jewellery show. It's an area to come and see; it's not just about manufacturing."And he added: "As soon as a filming location comes through, everyone's on WhatsApp talking about it." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
