TechWM

TechWM Annual Report 2024: Reflecting on our journey, Crafting our fate. 🎉 What a Year It’s Been 🎉 As we reflect on 2024, we’re filled with pride and gratitude for the milestones achieved and the impact we’ve made together. This year, our collective efforts have contributed to: 💡 £5bn added to the region's digital economy since 2019 📈 25% increase in tech startups 🚀 Record-breaking VC investment growth 🌍 200m global impressions showcasing our thriving tech sector 💼 31% rise in tech hiring 🏆 West Midlands ranked 4th on techUK’s regional index These numbers are a testament to the innovation, collaboration, and resilience of our incredible ecosystem. As we close 2024, we are energised for an even brighter future. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, break records, and craft a legacy of impact. We are #JustGettingStarted. Thank you for being part of this journey. Until then, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a splendid New Year. See you in 2025! Special shout out to the TechWM team who've put in tremendous efforts to make this happen. Yiannis Maos MBE, Katharine Fuller, Victoria Pargetter-Garner, Naomi N., Anushka Malhotra, Jason Sahota, Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal, Kim Leary, Chris Blackwell, Joanna Birch, Daniel Campion Thanks to all our patrons for their constant support. Accenture UK & Ireland, AND Digital, Aston University, Bruntwood SciTech, Goldman Sachs, Gowling WLG, Haatch, HSBC, IBM, Intercity, IN4 Group, Midven, OneAdvanced, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Rigby Group plc, SCC, SF Technology Solutions, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, University of Wolverhampton Kudos to our spectacular partners and the entire West Midlands Tech Community. Onwards and Upwards. Here’s to 2025 and beyond 🚀 Let's make tech succeed in the most human of places 💪 #TechWM #Milestones #WestMidlandsTech #Impact

Calling All Innovative Tech Businesses: Join Our International Collaboration Programme to South Korea 🌏   Are you ready to expand your horizons and explore new global markets? Tech West Mids (TechWM) in Birmingham, UK, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation(UCCEI) in Ulsan, South Korea. Our shared mission is to propel innovation, nurture startups, and strengthen the digital economy.   Through the DIATOMIC project, we're building an international network of tech clusters in dynamic second cities, and we want you to be a part of it! This is your chance to collaborate with counterparts in South Korea, exchange knowledge, and access new opportunities 🚀   💫 Why You Should Apply: 🌎 Global Networking: Connect with tech businesses, academics, and manufacturers in Ulsan, a hub of industrial innovation and digital transformation. 💡 Knowledge Exchange: Share your insights and learn best practices from South Korean counterparts. 💰 Fully Funded Trade Mission: Join us in Ulsan from 10th-14th February 2025, with travel and accommodation costs covered. 🤝 Collaborative Projects: Build partnerships that drive transnational innovation and open doors to new opportunities.   🤔 Who Can Apply? We're looking for ambitious tech businesses who have experience in the S.Korea market or are looking to S.Korea for export and partnership. Its desirable if your markets have a focus on automotive, shipbuilding, petrochemicals, and other sectors keen on digital transformation but not essential. If you have a pioneering spirit and a desire to innovate through international markets, we want you! 💪   🌟 What to Expect: · Travel and Accommodation costs covered. · In country assistance from the TechWM representative and Diatomic staff. · Participation in TechWM and CCEI's selection process, ensuring a tailored match-making experience. · A visit to Ulsan's new CCEI headquarters with a mix of formal and community-focused events.   Application Deadline: January 10th 2025   Selected businesses will travel to South Korea in February 2025 – 10th to 14th.   💶 Budget and Financial Support: Participation in the trade mission is supported, with detailed financial guidelines provided to selected businesses.   👉🏻 Visit https://lnkd.in/dZ_fGkVT to submit your application. Include a brief description of your business, your interest in the South Korean market, and how you believe this programme can benefit your growth objectives.   Don't miss this chance to innovate and expand internationally. Apply now and let's grow together! 🚀   For more information, please contact connect@techwm.com #techwm #global #trademission #collaboration #ulsan #WestMidlandsTech

🌟 TechWM Reflections | Chapter 3: Just Getting Started 🌟 As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is clear—#JustGettingStarted is more than a mantra; it’s a promise. A promise to evolve, grow, and create even greater opportunities for the West Midlands tech community. In this chapter, Yiannis Maos MBE & Jason Sahota reflect on our incredible journey—from startup energy to scaling with purpose. From 16 million to 190 million global impressions during Birmingham Tech Week, we’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much more to achieve 🔥 It’s about creating "freedom within the framework"—staying innovative while building the structures needed to become a globally recognised tech hub, rivalling cities like Lisbon and Singapore. It’s about ensuring local talent stays local, creating a future where opportunities are abundant, and the West Midlands is celebrated as a tech powerhouse 💪 This is a moment of transition and momentum—a continuation of the legacy built by early pioneers, driven by the vision of building something extraordinary for generations to come 💫 2025 will witness an evolution in our core values. We will see: 🤝 Collaboration shift to Partnership. 💡 Inspiration shift to Opportunity. 🚀 Celebration shift to Impact. 🎥 Watch Chapter 3 now and join us on this transformational journey. Together, we’re shaping the future of tech in the West Midlands. #TechWM #Innovation #DigitalEconomy #TechLeadership #JustGettingStarted

TechWM Top Updates 📢 1. New Business Growth West Midlands Programme to Boost West Midlands Growth by Driving Supply Chain Innovation 📈 Attend the launch event 10th December at NatWest Accelerator, 2 Saint Philip's Place to find out more about the program. 🔗 To register, visit: https://lnkd.in/ehJPMUjd 2. Birmingham Entrepreneur Nick Holzherr Launches GitLaw to Offer Free Legal Resources for Startups & SMEs 💫 🔗 Read full press release here: https://lnkd.in/dze6Hg23 3. £6.75 Million Boost for West Midlands Creative Tech Firms 🔥 The programme, named CreaTech Frontiers, unites the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Birmingham City University, Coventry University, University of Warwick, and University of Birmingham, backed by West Midlands Combined Authority. 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d-jWVdVG 4. West Midlands Stands Out for its Rapidly Growing Digital Economy & Its Key Strengths 🚀 🔗 Read the techUK Local Digital Index 2024 West Midlands Case Study here: https://lnkd.in/dxbM-_83 Stay Tuned for More Exciting Updates about the West Midlands Tech Sector 🌟 The West Midlands, Making Tech Succeed, In The Most Human Of Places 💪 #TechWM #Updates #DigitalEconomy #TechSpotlight #WestMidlandsTech

TechWM News Digest Weekly Update: Top Highlights 📢 1. AI Equality Survey - Participate Now! 🖊 Calling UK Tech Developers, Firms, and Entrepreneurs - Share your voice to shape the future of AI & Equality! Survey Deadline 06th December 2024. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eWr59isE Participating Partners: SuperTech WM, Equality and Human Rights Commission, University of Birmingham, Equinet, European Network of Equality Bodies, Beyond Reach Consulting Limited 2. FundingHero High Growth Accelerator - £1m Investment Opportunity 🚀Applications Open Until 12th December 2024 🔗 Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/eyCq26X6 3. Bruntwood SciTech injects further £2.4m to transform Birmingham city centre workspace 💪 🔗 Read The Full Story Here: https://lnkd.in/di3dw-2W Stay tuned for more exciting updates on the West Midlands Tech Ecosystem 🔥 The West Midlands: Making Tech Succeed, In The Most Human Of Places 💫 #TechWM #WMTechEcosystemUpdate #TechNews #TechWMDigest

🚀 TechWM Reflections | Chapter 2: From Humble Beginnings to Bold Ambitions 🌟 What started as a weekend project with a laptop in 2019 has transformed into a movement driving the West Midlands' journey to a £100 billion digital economy by 2030. In this chapter of TechWM Reflections, hear the inspiring story of how TechWM began from Yiannis Maos MBE—filling critical gaps in the region's tech ecosystem and becoming a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and innovation. Join us as Yiannis Maos MBE shares with Jason Sahota how TechWM evolved from grassroots ambition to a strategic powerhouse, uniting startups, corporates, and academia to make tech succeed in the most human of places. 🎥 Watch Chapter 2 now and discover how the West Midlands is shaping its tech future. #TechWM #Innovation #DigitalEconomy #TechLeadership #WestMidlandsTech

🎉 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards 2025: We’re Shortlisted 🎉 Exciting news – TechWM has been shortlisted for the 'Excellence in Technology & Innovation' category at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards 2025! 🚀 This recognition reflects the relentless drive, passion, and dedication of our amazing team, who go above and beyond to position the West Midlands as a global tech force for good 💪🌍 We’re honored to stand alongside incredible partners in the ecosystem and can’t wait to celebrate our region’s achievements at the awards. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission – this is for all of us 🏆 #GBCCAwards25 #TechWM #Innovation #Excellence #WestMidlandsTech

🌟 Welcome to TechWM Reflections 🌟 We’re excited to launch TechWM Reflections, a new video series where we dive into the journey, milestones, and future of the West Midlands tech ecosystem. Tune is as TechWM Founder Yiannis Maos MBE and Chair Jason Sahota sit down to reflect on Birmingham Tech Week 2024. From standout moments to the incredible collaboration that made it possible, they discuss the impact of the week and share their vision for taking the region’s tech community to new heights. 🎥 Watch Chapter 1: A candid conversation about the people, partnerships, and purpose driving Birmingham Tech Week. Stay tuned for more chapters as we explore what’s next for TechWM🚀 Onwards and Upwards 💪 Kim Leary 👩💻 Chris Blackwell Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal Joanna Birch Daniel Campion Katharine Fuller Victoria Pargetter-Garner Naomi N. Anushka Malhotra #TechWMReflections #BirminghamTechWeek #WestMidlandsTech #TechWM

🌟 Big Day for West Midlands Tech 🌟 Today, the West Midlands stands tall at Web Summit in Lisbon, having made the FINAL THREE for the prestigious European Capital of Innovation Awards! As we await the announcement with fingers crossed, we’re already winning by building game-changing global connections for our region and the UK. Our delegation of incredible tech businesses is here making waves, showcasing the power and potential of the West Midlands on a global stage. 🌍🤞 Whether we take home the title or not, our region is already a winner at Lisbon’s premier tech conference 💪 Go Team West Midlands 🚀 Yiannis Maos MBE Katharine Fuller John Cooke Ilisha Masaun Diar Abdlkarim Harpal Mattu Claire Downes Mandeep Soor Olivier Bacs Tom Haworth Landry Ntahe Satyen Fakey #WebSummit #WestMidlandsTech #iCapitalAwards #GlobalTech #TechWM #Milestone

🚀 TechWM November Updates are Live! 🚀 As we approach the close of 2024, TechWM is excited to share some of our latest achievements and plans that continue to shape the West Midlands as a global tech powerhouse. From new partnerships to fresh investment streams, we're paving the way for the West Midlands as a global tech leader. Check out all the latest highlights and what’s ahead for 2025! Here’s a look at what’s new this month. 👉 Read the full update on the TechWM website: https://lnkd.in/ddsTAaBM #TechWM #WestMidlandsTech #Innovation