Chambers join forces with B13 to help redefine software development
The Greater Birmingham, Coventry & Warwickshire and Black Country Chambers of Commerce have today announced a partnership with B13 to gather insights on software development in the region.
B13 is an early-stage venture specialising in Venture Mapping, a methodology that enables non-technical innovators to clearly define what software needs to be built to meet business goals with minimal risk.
The insights will help inform B13's mission to redefine software development for non-technical innovators.
Research by the Business Commission West Midlands found that, in 2024, 52 per cent of firms were expecting to increase their investment in technology and artificial intelligence, with AI and digitisation identified as one of five key levers for economic growth.
This new project will seek to understand how businesses across the West Midlands Combined Authority area are faring with in developing new software solutions and the challenges they're facing.
For the purposes of the research, ‘software development’ may include activities such as building a mobile app, developing new digital tools, developing bespoke CRM systems, creating customer portals, or automating internal processes.
The Chambers will be looking to gather insights on these topics through their upcoming Quarterly Business Report surveying, as well as focus groups with employers in Greater Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire and the Black Country.
The Behind the Build report, summarising the findings of the research, will be published in October, at one of the Chamber's Business Growth Studio events.
Raj Kandola, acting deputy chief executive, said: “Software development presents a vital opportunity for businesses across the West Midlands to innovate, improve efficiency, and support economic growth.
“To fully realise this potential, this research aims to produce a clear picture of the outlook for software development in the region, the challenges firms are facing and future needs in software development.
It will then be used inform the delivery of successful software development projects for the future.”
Tara Lawrence (pictured), CEO at B13, said: “Software development shouldn’t be a daunting process – it should feel empowering.
“We want to ensure that every SME, no matter its size or resources, can access custom, world-class software solutions that may once have seemed out of reach.
“Our mission is to build an industry-standard pathway from concept to launch that’s accessible, streamlined, and low-risk.
“The findings from the Chambers’ research are a crucial step in helping us better understand the challenges that businesses in the West Midlands face, and in shaping solutions that meet their needs.”
