At a special Breakfast Reception to be held on Wednesday 12th June, WMGC will officially unveil its West Midlands Global Growth Programme – a fully-funded, nine-month package of support for international technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. The event is set to take place from 8am at the Royal Institution, Mayfair and will be hosted in partnership with London & Partners – the business agency for the UK capital.

The 2024 Global Growth Programme builds on the success of the pilot programme, which successfully supported 35 international tech companies at Bruntwood SciTech’s Innovation Birmingham campus to create over 500 new jobs. The new, comprehensive programme offers fully sponsored workspace at a choice of six Innovation Hubs across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry. It also offers a choice of 20 specialist sector support packages, designed around four key sectors – Health Tech, Clean Tech, Digital Tech and Future Mobility. These packages are designed to boost market entry success by unlocking access to commercial networks, key R&D facilities and centres of innovation across the region – six major universities, 10 sector communities and 15 leading research institutes.

The programme is designed to boost investment in the region by providing tailored support for the unique needs of foreign businesses opening in the UK, from market entry to help with visas and finding residential accommodation. It is delivered in partnership with STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Warwick Science Park, Tyseley Energy Park and Bruntwood SciTech – the UK’s largest dedicated property platform serving the growth of the nation’s knowledge economy.

During the Breakfast Reception, attendees will hear from a panel of industry experts about why the West Midlands is proving a magnet for ambitious, fast-growing tech firms. During the 2022/23 financial year, the region achieved record FDI results, with tech-led international companies representing a prominent trend.

As well as having the opportunity to learn more about the full range of support provided through the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from tech companies with experience of landing and achieving success in the region. These include Australian-owned cloud and IT transformation services company, Agilyx Group, which recently expanded into Birmingham as a result of the programme.

The Global Growth Programme now also incorporates the DIATOMIC International CleanTech hub, funded by and developed in partnership with Innovate UK and Connected Places Catapult, as part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator Programme. The DIATOMIC programme is harnessing the West Midlands’ expertise in digital, low carbon and future mobility technologies. The region is home to Greenpower Park, a trailblazing centre of excellence for battery technology and manufacturing, with low carbon industries also representing the region’s fastest growing sector. Other standout low carbon assets include the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre at Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) and the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton’s Green Innovation Corridor.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), said: “As one of the biggest events on the global tech calendar, London Tech Week is the perfect platform to launch our 2024 Global Growth Programme, designed to streamline the UK investment process for innovative international companies, such as Agilyx. Following on from the resounding success of our pilot programme – which has contributed to the West Midlands’ record-high FDI figures – we’re looking forward to supporting a whole new cohort of companies, as we continue to promote and strengthen the region’s world-class innovation ecosystem.”

Harpal Mattu, EMEA Managing Director at Agilyx Group, said: “Being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme has been invaluable, enabling us to make the most of Birmingham’s collaborative business ecosystem from day one. From free desk space to brilliant networking opportunities, such as an invitation to a special Trade and Investment Dinner with the British and Australian High Commissioners, the support we’ve received has enabled us to fast-track our expansion plans in the region. With a global headcount of 130, we grew our team at our Innovation Birmingham HQ substantially as a result of the Global Growth Programme with further positions being created before the end of this year.”

With only 40 places available for the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2024, businesses can find out whether they’re eligible to apply and register their interest here.