Event – Page 2 – Sandwell Business Growth

Registration open for Venturefest WM 2024

Posted on 4 January 20244 January 2024 by Kate Christie

Registration for Venturefest West Midlands 2024 is now open. The free event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is sponsoring and co-hosting the Venturefest WM 2024 event at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 21 March.

The all-day event offers entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to share ideas, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. During the day there will be panel discussions, workshops and an exhibition of innovative products.

Sponsors of the Venturefest WM 2024 include:

ICure
Electric Revolution Skills Hub
Medilink
VWV
Natwest
Penningtons Manches Cooper
University of Birmingham.

Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up

Running alongside Venturefest WM will be Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up – a Dragons’ Den-style competition for business owners. The competition provides a unique opportunity for businesses to raise their profile, both in the West Midlands and in front of a national audience of investors.

Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up is run by the Centre for Growth at Aston University, BizzInn at the University of Birmingham and Minerva Business Angels, which is part of the University of Warwick Science Park.

The programme has put over 200 entrepreneurs directly in front of investors over recent years. It has helped bring more than £65m of investments to the region’s small businesses.

The Pitch Up final will be held at Venturefest. The best business pitches will compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs to win:

The best pitch award
Golden ticket to access Minerva Birmingham’s professional network of business angel investors
Potential future investment.

Applications for Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up 2023 are open. The deadline to apply is Friday 26 January.

Find out more and apply here.

What the Mayor had to say

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “I am delighted to once again see Venturefest WM back in the West Midlands. Our region is the fastest growing tech sector in the UK, a position it has proudly held for the last three years – headlined by the £15.3bn tech cluster in Leamington Spa.

“However, we cannot be complacent. Despite the successful path we’re on, there is still so much more to do to grow our tech economy and ensure local people can fulfil their career ambitions here.

“That’s why we’re pressing ahead with investments like our Innovation Accelerator and our Deeper Devolution Deal, and why having Venturefest WM return for another year is so important to us.”

What others had to say

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the WMCA’s portfolio holder for economy and innovation and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Venturefest WM signals our commitment as a region to our wider Plan for Growth. For how we can return our economy to an upward trajectory and with greater influence in key areas.

“We can give entrepreneurs and businesses better focus on growing the skills they need to grow their businesses. All of which are key to our future prosperity.”

Kevin Marks, Regional Research Commercialisation, University of Warwick, said: “It’s great to be part of Venturefest WM and Minerva Birmingham PitchUp again this year. It will showcase some of the exciting technology emerging from across the UK’s University network, supported under Innovate UK’s ICURe programme.

“It’s also exciting that the audience will be allowed to select the best pitch from the cohort presenting to enter the final of Minerva Birmingham PitchUp.”

Dr Ben Roberts, West Midlands innovation adviser at Medilink Midlands, said: “Medilink Midlands is proud to support Venturefest WM. We recognise investment as a pivotal element for our network’s growth and success, both within the West Midlands HealthTech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) and our broader ecosystem across the Midlands.”

Venturefest WM 2024 details

Venturefest WM will take place on Thursday 21 March at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham from 8.30am to 5pm.

For more information about Venturefest WM 2024 and how to meet potential investors, visit the Venturefest website.

To get more funding news and information for your Sandwell business visit our funding search page. You’ll find a searchable database of current EU, government and council grants, loans, venture capital funds and tax credit programmes.

Venturefest WM 2024

Venturefest WM is a one-day event that brings together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in the West Midlands to meet and discuss ideas.

The Venturefest WM 2024 event is free and takes place on Thursday 21 March at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

Local businesses, universities, science parks support Venturefest WM 2024, which is aimed at entrepreneurs, investors and innovators – particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. It offers the opportunity to meet, engage and collaborate.

This year’s programme includes a keynote from the West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, and CEO and founder of Get Nourish3d, Melissa Snover.

Delegates will have the opportunity to join panel discussions, workshops and network in the exhibition area.

Key themes this year include:

How to navigate the business support system
Innovation accelerator programmes offer
Successful product development
Innovation in response to local demand
AI in action.

Running alongside Venturefest WM 2024 is Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up, a competition that gives businesses a unique opportunity to raise their profiles both in the West Midlands and in front of a national audience of investors.

Business owners are invited to present their ideas in a pitch for investment. They stand a chance of winning one of several awards.

The Pitch Up final will take place at Venturefest. The best business pitches will compete in front of a live audience of investors and entrepreneurs.

Find out more about Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up and apply here.

Visit the Venturefest WM website to find out more about the one-day event or read our News story here.

‘Storytelling in manufacturing’ workshop

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is holding an event on Tuesday 16 January looking at the benefits of storytelling in manufacturing and innovation.

The session looks at how storytelling in manufacturing can create content that connects with customers and shows them why your solutions make sense for them compared to the competition.

Former BBC Correspondent and now Director at Clever Conclusions Ltd Peter Plisner will deliver the session. He will provide media training and consultancy, transport research, policy advice and video content.

Agenda

9.30 – 10am: Registration
10 – 10.10am: Welcome, housekeeping and introductions
10.10 – 10.25am: Why storytelling in manufacturing is worth doing
10.25 – 10.40am: What storytelling can do for your business
10.40 – 11am: What is storytelling?
11 – 11.15am: Power of social media
11.15 – 11.25am: Taking part in presentations and expos
11.25 – 11.35am: What collateral do you need?
11.35 – 11.45am: Consider media training
11.45 – 12pm: How do you start? Action planning

For more information and the full agenda visit Eventbrite.

For other useful manufacturing events keep an eye on our events page.

Decarbonisation workshop: creating a resilient future for your business

The Black Country Industrial Cluster is hosting a workshop: ‘Creating a resilient future for your business: How to thrive amidst rising energy costs and decarbonisation challenges’. The free workshop takes place on Tuesday 6 February at Bescot Stadium in Walsall.

The transition to net zero creates greater challenges and opportunities for Black Country businesses than any other UK region. Many businesses in the region depend on competitive energy prices to compete globally. With an increasingly carbon-conscious customer base this can be complex to achieve. This decarbonisation workshop will provide insights into how businesses can thrive whilst working towards becoming net zero.

This event is open to all businesses based in the Black Country with an interest in becoming more resilient, energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint.

The team that led the ‘Repowering the Black Country’ and ‘West Midlands Energy Taskforce’ projects will be presenting the workshop. Expert speakers will be sharing knowledge and advice on energy costs, decarbonisation and energy efficiency.

The team will also discuss the opportunities that the transition to net zero presents for Black Country businesses.

Reasons to attend the decarbonisation workshop:

Learn about the latest government support: funding and free energy assessment programmes
Gain knowledge: access valuable insights to help empower your business to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable practices and make informed decisions
Help shape national conversations: discover how you can get involved in the Black Country Industrial Cluster – a platform for your voice to be heard at national forums
Network with industry leaders: connect with like-minded professionals, industry experts, and influencers who share your commitment to a sustainable, decarbonised and resilient future.

For more information about the event email info@bcinc.org.uk.

For a full agenda and to register visit Eventbrite. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.

‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ is one of Sandwell Council’s seven economic priorities. Find out more on our net zero page:

Get Connected in Sandwell business breakfast in December: ‘Social Value Matters’

Come and network at our free business breakfast event on Wednesday 13 December. We’re hosting this at our new Sandwell Start-Up Hub, alongside Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. It will have a social value focus.

Our third Get Connected in Sandwell event is called ‘Social Value Matters’. Two special guest speakers will talk about the importance and potential impact of social value in our communities, and how it can help your business when bidding for work.

Michael Wragg is our Senior Social Value Officer here on the Business Growth Team. He’ll tell you what social value means for Sandwell.

And Kim Fuller is Growing Participation and Volunteering Mentor at SCVO. Kim will take a practical look at social value, corporate social responsibility, and employer-supported volunteering.

At the free event, you will also learn about funded courses, grants and business support available for your organisation.

Bacon, sausage or veggie option?

You will also get a free breakfast (with bacon, sausage or vegetarian options). And, of course, the opportunity to network with other businesses.

The breakfast event is taking place at Jack Judge House in Oldbury, from 7.30am to 9.30am. There is free parking available nearby in Sainsbury’s car park for a maximum of three hours. (If you need to stay longer, download the Horizon parking app and book your space.)

When you arrive, please enter the building via the rear entrance and press the second floor intercom for a council officer to let you in.

Why not bring your laptop, stay on afterwards and work from the Sandwell Start-Up Hub? You just need to book your desk:

‘Sandwell’s Growth Event’ at The Hawthorns

We are launching the Sandwell Business Growth Plan and our latest Top 50 report at a morning event on Thursday 23 November. We would love you to join us!

At the breakfast event we will be launching the Sandwell Business Growth Plan, alongside Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index 2023. It takes place at The Hawthorns (home of West Bromwich Albion FC) on the morning of Thursday 23 November.

The event will give you the opportunity to find out how Sandwell Council supports local businesses to grow, thrive and prosper. You can also network with likeminded businesspeople.

Come along to hear from representatives from some of the fastest growing businesses in the region. Find out how they achieved success and get tips to help your business grow.

The Sandwell Business Ambassadors will also be there to talk about how they are working with Sandwell Council to support businesses in the borough.

The event is open to both start-ups and well-established businesses. It starts at 7.30am, in the Richardson Suite.

Spaces are limited so register today!

Sandwell’s Growth Event: sign up today

Posted on 2 November 202311 November 2023 by Marie

Join us on Thursday 23 November for Sandwell’s Growth Event at West Bromwich Albion Football Club. We’ll be launching the Sandwell Business Growth Plan alongside Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index.

At the Sandwell’s Growth Event, you can network with likeminded business people and find out how Sandwell Council will be supporting local businesses to grow, thrive and prosper.

We have exciting plans to help you – and this event will tell you more.

About the event

You will hear from some of our borough’s fastest growing businesses and learn how they have achieved their success. We are re-launching our Top 50 report, which charts the 50 fastest growing companies in the borough.

The Sandwell Business Ambassadors will also be there to talk about how they are working with Sandwell Council to support the borough and its businesses. They are a collective of business people using their voices and influence to support Sandwell, its people and communities, and the wider Black Country, to thrive.

Finally, you will hear how our Business Growth Team can support you and your business.

So whether you’re from a start-up or a well-established business, come along and find out more.

The event takes place on Thursday 23 November from 7.30am to 10.30am at The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion Football Club in West Bromwich.

Spaces are limited so register today!

Birmingham Tech Week 2023 is nearly here

Posted on 10 October 202310 October 2023 by Alex Taylor

Birmingham Tech Week is the UK’s largest regional tech festival and conference. This year, it takes place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October, with online, in-person and on-demand sessions.

The event will feature over 100 speakers across five days, including Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, Paul Scully MP, and leaders representing dozens of high-profile tech companies. Sessions include dinners, social events, discussions, networking and presentations on a wide range of tech-related topics, including:

Sustainability
Training and education
Championing start-ups
Data in real estate
New developments
Pitching
Investment
Global growth
Health care
Women in technology.

The programme culminates in an awards dinner on Friday 20 October.

Prestigious venues for Birmingham Tech Week

The in-person sessions will be held in a variety of Birmingham locations including HSBC headquarters, Birmingham Rep, BT, University College Birmingham, Albert Schloss restaurant, iCentrum, The Exchange, the Ivy, X+Why, The Bond, Shakespeare Martineau, STEAMhouse, BGF, Enterprise Wharf, the ICC, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub and Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

For more information, and to sign up, visit the registration page. Fill in your contact details then click ‘next’ to access the full list of sessions.

How smaller businesses in the West Midlands can thrive with diversity: British Business Bank event

On Tuesday 7 November, the British Business Bank will bring together an expert panel to share advice about debt and equity options for smaller businesses. This event is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

The event will be a great opportunity to hear from guest speakers, network with the presenters and ask your own questions. The speakers will include:

Tracy Sherratt – senior manager at British Business Bank
Harinder Kunor – regional ecosystem manager at NatWest
Jim Shirley – founder of Funding Hero
Steve Parry – director at Q Commercial Finance
Surlender Pendress – co-founder of Love Writing Co.

British Business Bank is hosting it, in partnership with NatWest, Funding Hero and Q Commercial Finance. The event is free, and includes a networking lunch and refreshments.

For more information, and to register your place, visit the Eventbrite page.

Birmingham Black Business Conference: an event from Legacy Centre of Excellence

The Black Business Conference provides knowledge, services and networks to businesses of all kinds. It takes place on Saturday 14 October at the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Birmingham.

This year, NatWest is the headline sponsor. Actor and presenter Richard Blackwood will host the event, alongside journalist Merisha Stevenson. The day includes a business networking expo, industry-focused workshops and panel discussions featuring renowned black business leaders such as:

Paulette Simpson
Beverly Johnson
Corey Weekes
Craig Pinkney
Karl George MBE
Kenneth Gray
Deirdre LaBassiere LL.B (Hons) FTLS
Sophie Marie Bennett
Yetunde Dania
Natalie Scarlett
Zoe Bennett, BEM.

There will be plenty of advice, links and resources for both start-up and established companies.

For more information, and to book your free place, v isit the Eventbrite page.

‘Celebrating Black History Month’: a free event from NatWest

On Monday 9 October, NatWest is marking Black History Month with a free event to celebrate the year-round success of the black business community in the region. It takes place at the NatWest Accelerator Hub in Birmingham city centre, and the keynote speaker is inspirational hair care entrepreneur Kamesse Davis from Sandwell.

Kamesse founded Nylahs Naturals in 2013, without any business capital, whilst working as a careers adviser and raising two young children. Other black business people will also be there to share their stories and advice, incuding:

Denise Morris, founder of TAG Network Midlands
Oyinkansola Adebayo, who runs the Niyo group of companies
Drew Currie, who runs ‘Show Me The Money’ funding events across the country
Keith Shayaam-Smith, CEO of 7E Youth Academy and Chairman of The Legacy Centre of Excellence.

As well as the expert panelists, there will also be time for questions and networking.

This event is for anyone at any stage of their business journey, from initial idea to experienced business owner. If you’d like to be inspired, offer your time for others, or be an ally of the black business community, this event is for you.

For more information, and to register your free place, visit the Eventbrite listing.

Celebrating 25 years of SCVO: join the AGM

Posted on 5 September 202315 September 2023 by Marie

Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has been supporting voluntary and community groups in Sandwell for 25 years.

You’re invited to join in the celebration at its annual general meeting (AGM) in October.

SCVO has invited all its members, as well as voluntary and community sector organisations, stakeholders and strategic partners, to its AGM on Thursday 5 October. You can celebrate SCVO’s milestone anniversary by sharing your organisation’s own milestones.

SCVO is a charity which supports community groups, charities, not-for-profit businesses, faith organisations and social enterprises in Sandwell. Its vision is that the lives of people in Sandwell will be happier and healthier through having a strong voluntary and community sector.

Connecting, enabling, transforming

SCVO aims to bring organisations together to raise the quality and range of services, influence policy locally and nationally, support the development and growth of community organisations, and ensure all residents have access to the support they need.

The AGM is on Thursday 5 October at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, from 10am to 12.30pm. For your free ticket, visit the AGM Eventbrite page. Please note – there will be cake!

Share your milestones with SCVO

At its AGM, SCVO will display a timeline of the last 25 years (1998 – 2023), highlighting milestones and key achievements from SCVO. The team invites you to share things that have been significant for your organisation over that same period, too. For example: when your organisation started or key developments, major changes, highlights, awards and successes.

If you’d like to share anything, please email Leona Bird (leona@scvo.info) by Friday 15 September, with:

The year
The achievement, milestone or highlight you would like to capture – in no more than ten words
Any images/photos/press cuttings to go along with the achievement.

You can send Leona as many achievements as you’d like, but please limit them to three in any given year.

Get Connected in Sandwell: breakfast networking

Come and join the Sandwell Business Growth Team, Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce for a breakfast networking event in Oldbury on Thursday 21 September.

We’re hosting the event at Jack Judge House (Halesowen Street, Oldbury B69 2AJ) which is soon to become home to the Sandwell Start-Up Hub.

The event is free to attend. It’s a great opportunity to network with other businesspeople and learn about funded courses and grants/business support for your Sandwell business. You can have breakfast for free too: bacon, sausage or a vegetarian option.

Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Get ready for international trade: exclusive workshops for Sandwell businesses

Posted on 31 August 20235 September 2023 by Marie

We’re launching a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell-based businesses, covering a range of valuable topics. Join us!

Has your Sandwell business started its international trade (importing and/or exporting) journey yet? Would you like some guidance for future success?

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.

Free face-to-face international trade workshops

We’re aiming our free face-to-face workshops at Sandwell-based businesses to support and improve your global trade activities. We’ll cover topics that are suitable for businesses new to international trade – right up to experienced importers and exporters seeking to expand their market activities.

Our first workshop takes place on Friday 22 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury (soon to be our Sandwell Start-Up Hub!). It’s called ‘The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide’.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The workshop will introduce you to the world of exporting and importing, focusing on the terms and practices used. Sam will provide an overview of some of the most common international trading areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, Incoterms®, and export and import customs requirements.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Further information and registration

At the later events, we’ll cover topics for more experienced import/export companies. All the workshops are for Sandwell businesses.

Workshop: The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell businesses. Join us at the first one on Friday 22 September!

We (the Sandwell Business Growth Team) are holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Black Country Chamber Business Awards 2023: submit your entries now

Posted on 24 August 202329 August 2023 by Marie

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry for the Black Country Business Awards – celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

The annual Black Country Chamber Business Awards will this year announce winners in thirteen different categories. The awards are free to enter and the deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 11 September. For 2023, the theme is celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 9 November.

Dudley-based MET Recruitment won last year’s Excellence in Professional Services Award. The company’s commercial director Nella Share said: “Our experience has been so valuable. It has opened doors to new relationships and allowed us to demonstrate the high standards we offer on a regional stage.”

Lisa Cowley, CEO of the Beacon Centre (the 2021 winner of Large Business of the Year) echoed Nella’s words. Lisa said: “Both the event and the award have led to opening doors to new local connections and supporters, as well as providing a fantastic news story for us to share across all of our channels and giving a boost to employee morale. If you are considering entering your organisation, I would really recommend doing so.”

Celebrating social value at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards

James Cash is managing director of Superfast IT, which won Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces in 2022. He said: “I strongly encourage other companies to explore these opportunities and enter the awards. Winning isn’t just an honour, it reflects alignment with values that strengthen our community and drive progress across the region.”

Halesowen BID won the Business Commitment to the Community Award in 2022. BID manager Vicky Rogers said: “As an organisation dedicated to developing and providing local services and support, awards like this strengthen our commitment and motivate us to continue our work.”

This year, Sandwell Council is sponsoring the Business Commitment to the Community award. We believe that giving back and doing good are important cornerstones of any successful business. You can read how this plays a key role in our tendering and contracting process on our brand new CSR and social value page.

Will it be a starry night for our Sandwell business community?

At the 2022 Black Country Chamber Business Awards, at least one Sandwell organisation was represented as a finalist in each of the fourteen award categories. Five Sandwell businesses were overall winners, while four took ‘highly commended’ awards. We’d love to see you shine again this year!

For more information, and to enter the awards, vis it the Black Country Chamber Business Awards website.

Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM): launch event

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM): comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is taking place on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena. It’s for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

There, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address. He will show his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including through WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).

You can gain valuable insights on navigating business growth, AI-driven digital transformation, financial management, funding options and building a skilled workforce.

The launch event will also offer networking opportunities to connect with business support providers, stakeholders, and fellow attendees.

Why attend the BGWM launch?

Hear about £100m of new support programmes and grants launching for West Midlands businesses
Find out how the new fully funded service can help businesses navigate the wide range of support available across the region
Network with business support professionals and fellow business leaders
Access free business support opportunities in the exhibition area
Have a free lunch.

Other inspirational and expert speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. You can follow @BizGrowthWM on Twitter or LinkedIn for speaker and programme updates.

Join the launch of Business Growth West Midlands

Posted on 2 August 202329 August 2023 by Administrator

West Midlands Combined Authority is launching Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) on Tuesday 12 September at Coventry Building Society Arena.

BGWM will provide comprehensive business support services to help your West Midlands business grow and succeed.

The launch event is for West Midlands business leaders, entrepreneurs and business support providers.

At the event, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street will give the keynote address, showing his commitment to promoting business growth in the region. He will explain where this new service fits into the economic development of the West Midlands.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the support packages available through BGWM, fostering economic development and empowering local businesses (including WMCA business programmes, such as its decarbonisation programme).