The West Midlands: the best kept secret in the UK tech industry
Guest blog by Andy Hague, CEO of TechWM and Birmingham Tech Week
In the age of acceleration where transformational change is driven by rapid technological advancements, the West Midlands has been quietly but confidently establishing itself as one of the UK’s most promising innovation hubs.
Last year, the region attracted 86 inward investment projects, outperforming major European cities (such as Istanbul and Berlin), and ranking among the continent’s top 20 regions for FDI performance. These are clear signs of a region where tech can thrive and business can grow. In fact, the West Midlands secured 130 FDI projects in 2024–25, more than Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined, creating over 5,800 new jobs. This performance places the region second only to London in the UK’s FDI rankings and highlights its growing appeal to global investors.
It would be easy to attribute this success exclusively to Birmingham (the UK’s Second City and a magnet for AI, fintech, and CreaTech startups), but the truth is this innovation ecosystem spans the entire West Midlands. From Coventry’s leadership in future mobility and Wolverhampton’s advanced manufacturing capabilities to Solihull’s low-carbon advances, the West Midlands is the UK’s fastest-growing tech sector, offering a diverse and interconnected landscape for growth. Further cementing its status is the presence of over 100 collaborative tech hubs, four Innovate UK Catapult Centres, and nine leading universities attracting students from all over the globe.
The regional spread is the result of the West Midlands Plan for Growth initiative, which focuses on high potential economic clusters, rather than broad sectors. Designed to scale innovation and attract global business partnerships, these clusters are interconnected networks made up of talent, businesses, and institutions from across the region. Whether a MedTech founder is looking for clinical trial support, or a quantum computing start-up is seeking academic collaborations, the West Midlands offers the infrastructure and networks to make it happen.
But what truly makes the West Midlands a fascinating tech hub is its heritage. Innovation is in its DNA – after all, this is the birthplace of the industrial revolution. And today this legacy is being revived and reimagined through the proliferation of gigafactories, groundbreaking transport systems, 5G-powered technologies, and EV battery manufacturing facilities.
What we’re also seeing is a surge in grassroots innovation. Thanks to a project backed by Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in June 2025, creative freelancers and SMEs across the region now have access to £10,000 of funding to develop innovative ideas through collaborative Research and Development (R&D). Initiatives like this and events such as Birmingham Tech Week, which brings together futurists and local founders to explore the region’s emerging trends and opportunities, tie in with the region’s ambitions to become a flourishing creative ecosystem by 2030.
Being the UK’s largest regional tech festival, Birmingham Tech Week brings together over 8,000 people from global tech companies to champion the growing West Midlands tech sector. With events that cover key topics including AI, Cyber, ScaleUp, and Engineering and Development, Birmingham Tech Week sits at the forefront of conversation about the future of technology. This year, events during Birmingham Tech Week will take place from 20th to 24th of October at several locations across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
As global investors continue to prioritise resilient, high-growth destinations, the West Midlands is gaining recognition as a region with serious potential. Its blend of industrial capability, academic strength, and a commitment to inclusive innovation positions it as a compelling example of how tech ecosystems can thrive outside capital cities.
This momentum is reflected in the region’s emergence as a launchpad for ventures that combine ambition with impact. With a collaborative tech community and a strong industrial foundation, the West Midlands offers both the infrastructure and the energy needed to support meaningful growth. This is a region that’s not embracing the future – it’s engineering it.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
techUK’s Scottish Parliamentary Reception, 28 October
This reception will provide attendees, including MSPS, with an insight into techUK’s upcoming work, and the opportunity to discuss how the tech sector can grow in Scotland. Places are limited and we are currently operating a waiting list.
Local Digital Index call for submissions of case studies 2025
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UK DES25 will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the role of digital innovation in driving economic growth, business competitiveness, and global talent development. As part of UK DES25, techUK will release the latest data from the Local Digital Index, showing the strength of different local tech ecosystems across the UK
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke Newcombe
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
