Major tech programme to drive international growth for scale-ups
London & Partners has revealed West Midlands companies set to take advantage of its Grow Global Programme.
The rollout of the programme in West Midlands and Scotland was announced at Birmingham Tech Week in October. It’s a year-long scheme to help scale-up businesses to grow an international presence.
It’s the first time the programme has gone outside of London, and to date it has supported more than 1,300 businesses, created more than 5,000 jobs and completed international trade deals worth more than £6.5bn.
Companies have the opportunity to go on international trade missions, engage in workshops and events and create connections to key partners.
These include government funding specialists GrantTree, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, professional services firm Oury Clark, global law firm Taylor Wessing, as well as US law firm Wilson Sonsini – enabling the cohort of companies to build their networks and access new growth opportunities.
West Midlands companies joining the programme include Wolverhampton-based cybersecurity firm Goldilock and Birmingham-based electric motorcycle manufacturer Maeving. Scottish-based companies joining the cohort include allergen tech firm Libereat and property management specialists Pillow Partners.
Through partnerships with the West Midlands Growth Company and Scottish Enterprise, the latest programme aims to replicate the same level of success in the West Midlands and Scotland – helping to drive economic growth and create new jobs.
The Scottish and West Midlands-based companies will join 100 London-based scale-ups, including cybersecurity firm Glasswall and air quality monitoring company Airly.
Janet Coyle CBE, managing director of Grow London at London & Partners, said: “We are expanding our efforts to support businesses in the UK, particularly in the West Midlands and Scotland, to help them reach their full potential in the global market.
“Our Grow Global programme is designed to provide scale-up businesses with the necessary resources, connections, and tools to succeed. By doing so, we hope to promote economic growth and job creation not only in London but also in other regions, in line with the UK government’s plan to transform the UK into a ‘scale-up powerhouse’.”
Cllr Stephen Simkins, portfolio lead for economy and innovation at West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands has long been a hotbed for innovation, nurturing scale-ups with the potential to shape the global economy.
“Through this unique collaboration with London & Partners, our region’s high-growth tech firms now have an ideal springboard to success in international markets. As Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, it’s also fantastic to see local cybersecurity firm Goldilock securing a place on this prestigious programme.”
