West Midlands founders to benefit from new £1m scheme
Tech entrepreneurs across the UK – including underrepresented founders in the West Midlands – are set to gain fresh support as 14 government-backed projects get underway under the new £1 million Regional Tech Booster programme.
The initiative, launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aims to level the playing field by giving startups and scaleups outside London the tools they need to succeed. From gaming studios in Scotland to AI ventures in Wales, the scheme will provide training, mentoring, and investment connections to help local firms grow.
West Midlands project targets immigrant founders
For the West Midlands, the standout project is “Build Here, Bridge Beyond”, run by Birmingham-based TN Naija Ltd. The scheme will directly support more than 30 immigrant and first-generation tech founders across Birmingham, Coventry and surrounding areas.
Organisers say many such founders face barriers in accessing professional networks, incubators and culturally tailored business support. The pilot aims to close those gaps through a mix of workshops, mentoring and global market connections – equipping participants to grow businesses locally and scale internationally.
Local industry figures have long argued that the region’s diverse talent pool is one of its strengths, but many entrepreneurs struggle to secure the same visibility and backing as their London counterparts. By building networks and providing tailored support, the new scheme hopes to unlock a wave of growth.
National push to spread opportunities
Across the UK, the Regional Tech Booster will fund projects in 10 regions, each chosen for their potential to create sustainable impact. These include new pathways from further education to entrepreneurship in Lancashire, scale-up support in Yorkshire, and advanced connectivity pilots in the East of England.
The programme also aims to improve diversity in the tech sector, with projects in Northern Ireland and the South East specifically targeting women, minority, and rural founders.
Tech for Growth Minister Kanishka Narayan MP said the initiative would ensure “UK tech grows and succeeds from any and every corner of the country”. He described it as a “no-brainer” to back local talent and create jobs beyond the capital.
Boosting investment
Alongside the local projects, a new National Investment Corridors initiative will connect regional founders with investors through a series of events, with the first taking place in Bristol and Leeds later this year.
For the West Midlands, officials hope the focus on immigrant founders will both strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and demonstrate how diversity can fuel wider growth in Britain’s booming tech economy.
