West Midlands Innovation Accelerator

West Midlands Innovation Accelerator

Connects West Midlands teams to United Kingdom Innovate competitions in health technology, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing innovation.

The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator (WMIA) is a joint programme between West Midlands Combined Authority and Innovate UK, part of the national Innovation Accelerators initiative backed by UK Research and Innovation. The 2022–25 phase invested £100 million across 26 R&D projects spanning three English regions; a further £30 million in public funding was committed for 2025/26, with approximately £10 million allocated to the West Midlands. The programme concentrates on three applied-research themes: HealthTech and MedTech (including NHS-connected health technology commercialisation), CleanTech (low-carbon transport and sustainable manufacturing), and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering leveraging the region's industrial base.

Funding flows directly from Innovate UK to successful project partners, not from WMCA. Applications are submitted through the Innovate UK application portal against specific published competitions, not through WMCA directly. Universities registered on Je-S receive 80% of full economic costs, requiring a 20% institutional contribution. Research and technology organisations, charities, not-for-profits, and public sector bodies may receive up to 100% of eligible project costs. Commercial partners undertaking economic activities must contribute matching funds; the programme targets a 1:1 ratio of public to private co-investment across the West Midlands IA portfolio. Sub-granting is permitted under Innovate UK guidance.

Active WMIA projects in 2026 include the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (21 academic, industry, and NHS partners), Clean Futures (SME support hubs in Dudley and Coventry), the West Midlands Innovation Programme (cross-sector cluster development), the Biochar Clean Tech Accelerator at Aston University, and DIATOMIC (place-based clean tech and health tech initiatives). Applicants should monitor Innovate UK's published competition calendar for open calls tied to the West Midlands region and ensure their project headquarters or principal R&D activities are based within the region.