WATCH and LISTEN: Tech leaders discuss closing Birmingham's 'scale-up gap'
Birmingham has a thriving ecosystem but must close a "scale-up gap" it is to keep pace with the US and compete with cities like Manchester, according to guests on the latest episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business, launching today.
Episode two of the podcast - created by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in partnership with STEAMhouse - features Jason Sahota, chair of TechWM, and Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at Birmingham City University.
The episode, hosted by the GBCC’s deputy CEO Raj Kandola, is available to watch on YouTube and to listen to on all major podcast apps.
Recorded ahead of Birmingham Tech Week, which runs from 19 to 23 October, much of the conversation focused on the strength of Birmingham's tech ecosystem, and the barriers preventing the region's most promising businesses from scaling up and staying local.
"We have a thriving ecosystem," said Jason Sahota. "We've got a lot of people from lots of disciplines - but I will say it right out at the front, we're not very good at telling our story.
"The one area that we've got a gap in is really that scale-up arena. That's the real gap - good businesses can get capital, but the challenge we have is the conditions and understanding who to speak to, and how to get it."
Professor Hanifa Shah discussed how Birmingham City University is working to close that gap, including through its Future Founders Fund, which provides early-stage funding and mentoring to student entrepreneurs.
"I don't think there's any shortage of fantastic businesses," she said.
"We've already got one student who's got a digital startup that they've literally bootstrapped themselves, and with a small amount of investment from us, where at the moment they've got a recurring revenue on a monthly basis of £10,000.
"The tech capability in this region is just such a well-kept secret. Please go and shout about it."
Both guests pointed to Birmingham unicorn success story Gymshark, and discussed the need for a single physical hub where founders, investors and institutions could connect, similar to those found in cities like Austin and Paris.
The episode also previewed Birmingham Tech Week, now in its seventh year and the largest tech event outside London, and closed with a shared message for the city's business community: every business is now a tech business.
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