28 Best Startup Accelerators & Incubators In Birmingham, UK [2024]

Updated: January 20th, 2022

Are you looking for an accelerator program in Birmingham, UK?

Did you know that according to an annual study from the think-tank Centre for Entrepreneurs Birmingham crowned regional startup capital of UK for the seventh year?

If you're starting a startup in Birmingham, you might be wondering what startup accelerators or incubators exist in the area.

We've curated a list of the 28 best accelerator programs in Birmingham [UK].

Here's the full list:

Startup Accelerators & Business Incubators In Birmingham UK

# Accelerator/Incubator Funding Location Apply
1 Oxygen Accelerator 21K EUR Birmingha... Apply
2 BetaDen 10K GBP Birmingham Apply
3 BCU Advantage Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
4 Medilink Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
5 FORWARD Accelerator Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
6 NatWest Accelerator Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
7 Women's Enterprise and Community Hub Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
8 Creative Scale Up Programme Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
9 Barclays Eagle Labs Not Disclosed Birmingha... Apply
10 NXIS Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
11 5PRING Not Disclosed Birmingha... Apply
12 Birmingham Tech Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
13 Innovation Birmingham Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
14 B Start-Up Programme Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
15 GBSLEP Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
16 BSEEN Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
17 STEAMhouse Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
18 The BioHub Birmingham Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
19 Enterprise for Success Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
20 The Grid Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
21 DEMAND Hub Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
22 SuperTech Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
23 Innovate UK Edge Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
24 Innovation Alliance Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
25 West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
26 Catapult Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
27 Think Beyond Data Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply
28 The Technology Supply Chain Not Disclosed Birmingham Apply

28 Best Startup Accelerators & Incubators In Birmingham, UK [2024]

1. Oxygen Accelerator

  • Location: Birmingham and London
  • Industry: Technology Industry
  • Investment Size: 21K EUR
  • Program Length: 13-Weeks
  • Equity Taken: 8%

Oxygen Accelerator hosts an intensive 13-week accelerator program that breathes life into innovative technology startups of the industry. This program has an experienced team of mentors, advisors, and experts who assists entrepreneurs in building successful startup firms. They provide members with 21K EUR in exchange for 8% equity, training, support, entrepreneurial skills, angel investment, collaborative workspace, and access to demo day events. Some of its portfolio companies are Oxford Space, Structures, RTS Ideas, Reality Games, Lab Synapse, and many more.

Apply to Oxygen Accelerator, or learn more ➜

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2. BetaDen

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Technology Industry
  • Investment Size: 10K GBP
  • Program Length: 9 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

BetaDen organizes a business program that offers a collaborative business environment comprising industry experts, advisors, influencers, investors, and communities to the participants. They provide a platform to build and develop innovative technologies in the niche of Biometrics, AI, 5G, Cyber, Hazard Intelligence, Industry 4.0, IoT, and many more. This 9-month program offers a package worth 50K GBP to the participants that include office space, mentorship, business education on topics such as strategic marketing, investment, intellectual property, product development, accounting, and financing, 10K GBP for the proof-of-grant concept, marketing fund, and access to tech talks, events, and networking ecosystem.

Apply to BetaDen, or learn more ➜

3. BCU Advantage

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

BCU Advantage hosts a business program that supports business firms across all industries and helps them move forward in the industry. They have a team of industry experts and recruitment professionals who help business firms in achieving their pre-determined goals through collaboration. This program provides mentorship, guidance, various opportunities, and programs to start, grow, and innovate their businesses in the industry.

Apply to BCU Advantage, or learn more ➜

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Medical Technology & Life Sciences
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Medilink runs a business program that supports Life Science and Medical Technology businesses and helps them in building successful medical business ventures and improve the healthcare sector of the region. They empower and boost the economic growth of the industry by overcoming business barriers. This program also provides members with sector-specific business information, access to business knowledge, networking opportunities, clinical assistance, guidance & mentorship, necessary training & skills, and partnership, PR, and advertising opportunities.

Apply to Medilink, or learn more ➜

5. FORWARD Accelerator

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: 6 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

FORWARD is a 6-month accelerator program that provides support to the growing startups and scaleups. This program is designed to strengthen businesses and help them deal with rapid growth in the industry. They combine expert advice, essential elements, access to an active community, skills, connections, and knowledge to help and guide the entrepreneurs. This program provides mentorship, co-working space, events & networking, virtual resources, 1 to 1 coaching, training & workshops, and funding opportunities.

Apply to FORWARD Accelerator, or learn more ➜

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6. NatWest Accelerator

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Climate, Fintech, and Purpose-led Businesses.
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: 6 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

NatWest Accelerator program helps startups and entrepreneurs to take their business further and grow faster. This program empowers and supports entrepreneurs of the UK and guides them to take their businesses to the next level. They help businesses in the niche of climate, fintech, high growth, and purpose-led businesses. This program provides participants with one-on-one coaching, leadership events, a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and potential partners, focused support, access to experts, mentors, new markets, business opportunities, and co-working spaces.

Apply to NatWest Accelerator, or learn more ➜

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7. Women's Enterprise and Community Hub

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Women owned Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: 6 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Women's Enterprise and Community Hub is a program that guides women entrepreneurs and business leaders in Birmingham. They provide participants with training rooms, offices, meeting rooms, skill programs, business support, guidance & mentorship, offline working space, consultancy, and networking opportunities. This 6-month program helps women entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses to the next level.

Apply to Women's Enterprise and Community Hub, or learn more ➜

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8. Creative Scale Up Programme

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Creative Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: 2 Years
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Creative Scale Up Programme, operated by the Department of Media, Culture, and Sports, is a 2-year program that helps and supports creative & innovative business firms with marketing & branding, access to finance, pricing, sales, contract law, and intellectual property. They offer 1:1 mentoring sessions, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, seminars, and workshops to the participants. This program assists businesses to grow and scale in the niche of AR/VR, gaming, artificial intelligence, marketing & events, performing arts, design businesses, and PR.

Apply to Creative Scale Up Programme, or learn more ➜

9. Barclays Eagle Labs

  • Location: Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Jersey, Liverpool, Lincoln, and few more places.
  • Industry: AgriTech, Charity Tech, Energy Tech, Games & Sports, LawTech, HealthTech
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: 12 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Barclays Eagle Labs runs a business program that assists startups in growing and moving forward in the industry. They provide participants with co-working space, tools, resources, mentorship & guidance, events, growth programs, technical assistance, support in raising capital, and networking opportunities with investors. This program assists entrepreneurs and startup businesses in different business verticals such as AgriTech, CharityTech, Lawtech, EnergyTech, HealthTech, Games, and Sports.

Apply to Barclays Eagle Labs, or learn more ➜

10. NXIS

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Innovative Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: 10 Weeks
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

NXIS or National Express Innovation & Science runs a 10-week innovative accelerator program that helps early and growth-stage technology businesses. This program assists them in building innovative products and services that can transform the public transport industry. They provide participants with mentorship, networking opportunities, workspace, collaborative working environment, business resources, business knowledge, market validation, funding opportunities, and guidance to build a minimum viable product.

Apply to NXIS, or learn more ➜

11. 5PRING

  • Location: Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton
  • Industry: 5G Technology Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: 3 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

5PRING organizes a 3-month accelerator program that allows early and growth-stage startup firms to become ready for building and growing successful & scalable 5G businesses in the industry. They offer a tailored business curriculum, solutions to business problems, growth strategies, support & guidance, technical assistance, access to innovative 5G technologies, business coaching, workshops, networking & fundraising opportunities, product roadmap, and access to pitching events to the participants of the program to succeed.

Apply to 5PRING, or learn more ➜

12. Birmingham Tech

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Technology Industry
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Birmingham Tech hosts a business program that helps technology businesses grow and scale in the industry. The mission of this program is to foster a collaborative business environment and provides business firms with business insights, knowledge, mentorship from experts, business strategies, business growth, leadership, support, resources, inspiration, empowerment, funding & networking opportunities, and a platform to succeed and move forward in the industry.

Apply to Birmingham Tech, or learn more ➜

13. Innovation Birmingham

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Technology Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Innovation Birmingham is a program hosted by Bruntwood SciTech to help and support the thriving tech community in Birmingham. This program is a part of the west midlands 5G accelerator and supports digital, fintech, AR/VR, cybersecurity, blockchain, Ed-tech, sports tech, and mobility businesses to grow and scale in the industry. They provide participants with access to finance, funding, skills & talents, offline co-working space, markets, and professional services.

Apply to Innovation Birmingham, or learn more ➜

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14. B Start-Up Programme

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

B Start-Up Program is an initiative by the University of Birmingham to grow and scale idea-stage or existing businesses in the industry. This program helps its participants to test, start and grow business ideas through guidance, expert teaching, solutions, techniques, and networking with other entrepreneurs. By the end of this program, entrepreneurs will be able to develop and test their pitch, form a business model, learn to target specified customers, develop and market products/services, and understand how to run a business in an interactive and informative manner.

Apply to B Start-Up Programme, or learn more ➜

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15. GBSLEP

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

GBSLEP Growth Hub (part of Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership) is a fully-funded advisory and support service that helps startups to build, flourish, grow, and scale businesses in the industry. They provide entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial skills, training, support, and advice on topics like starting a business, growth, funding, and financing. GBSLEP also focuses on the economic growth of the region by creating new jobs and guiding entrepreneurs on every step of business.

Apply to GBSLEP, or learn more ➜

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16. BSEEN

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: 12 Months
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

BSEEN or Birmingham Skill for Enterprise and Employability Network is a startup support program designed to help student entrepreneurs of the region. They provide graduates and students with support, tailored mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, co-working space, and grants. This program provides you with the necessary experience and skills needed to take the business to new heights. They work towards converting a startup idea into success.

Apply to BSEEN, or learn more ➜

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17. STEAMhouse

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

STEAM house is a program that aims to form a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, creative ideas, academics, and businesses. This accelerator cum incubator program provides aid and support to the startup to grow and succeed in the industry. They collaborate with businesses to generate new thinking and innovative ideas to support the participants. It empowers and instills entrepreneurial and business skills, professional training, and knowledge to the startups. They also arrange workshop sessions and meeting with technicians for product prototyping.

Apply to STEAMhouse, or learn more ➜

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18. The BioHub Birmingham

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Life Science Companies
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The BioHub Birmingham is a biomedical incubator and accelerator program designed to help life science companies in the region. They offer laboratory space, meeting rooms, cafe, conference facilities, expert service, and practical equipment to the participants of the program. They help early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs and guide them to move forward in the industry.

Apply to The BioHub Birmingham, or learn more ➜

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19. Enterprise for Success

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Enterprise for Success is a program that encourages and inspires new businesses to grow and thrive in the industry. This program provides support to idea-stage firms and existing growth-stage businesses. They host various programs, workshops, and events to guide and train participants about a range of topics and tell them strategies to plan a business.

Apply to Enterprise for Success, or learn more ➜

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20. The Grid

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The Grid hosts a business program that provides innovators and founders with a collaborative environment to connect with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who want to scale their startup businesses. This program is operated by Goldfish Ventures and is home to entrepreneurs who want to bring a change in the industry.

Apply to The Grid , or learn more ➜

21. DEMAND Hub

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Technologies and Digital Healthcare
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

DEMAND Hub or Data-Enabled Medical Technologies AND Devices Hub program hosted by The University of Birmingham helps and supports technologies and digital healthcare businesses with business insights & knowledge, IP, funding opportunities, digital tech support, clinical assistance, access to working lab & clinical trials, and validation & commercialization of business products and services. They assist businesses and SMEs in Birmingham, Black Country, Warwickshire, Solihull, Coventry, Staffordshire LEP, and Stoke-On-Trent regions.

Apply to DEMAND Hub, or learn more ➜

22. SuperTech

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: ProfTech Industry
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

SuperTech organizes a vibrant business program designed to showcase the innovation, talent, and investment potential of professional technology (ProfTech) services, including LegalTech, FinTech, InsurTech, PropTech, in the West Midlands. This program aims to create a thriving ecosystem and build better working opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners by connecting them with forward-thinking industry leaders and various resources. They also offer support, business skills, technical assistance, business insights & knowledge, and finance to tech organizations.

Apply to SuperTech, or learn more ➜

23. Innovate UK Edge

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: All Industries
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Innovate UK Edge is a program hosted by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. This is an innovative program that drives economic growth in the industry. They provide a range of services to the participants and help innovative SME's be successful and profitable. They offer mentorship, resources, tips to manage and improve innovation & commercialization, funding, finance, expertise, and access to new markets & international partnerships to the members of this program.

Apply to Innovate UK Edge, or learn more ➜

24. Innovation Alliance

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Science & Technology
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Innovation Alliance operates a business program that focuses on building an innovative and thriving technology ecosystem. They do this by catalyzing and stimulating a pipeline for the regional growth of the region. This program provides direction & guidance for business innovations and a strategic economic plan to the participants.

Apply to Innovation Alliance, or learn more ➜

25. West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN)

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Health & Science
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) hosts a business program that acts as a catalyst and collaborates with industry experts, academics, healthcare providers, citizens, business owners, and founders to improve and accelerate the healthcare sector of the region. They provide participants with innovative technologies, ideas, and business strategies to transform the healthcare and social care sector of the West Midlands.

Apply to West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN), or learn more ➜

26. Catapult

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Energy Innovations
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Catapult hosts an innovative business program that assists energy businesses and provides them with tailored acceleration and incubation services, business insights, new and innovative technologies, international support, and investment & testing opportunities to scale and grow businesses in the industry. They have a team of experts who guide business firms on topics such as energy modeling & analysis, systems integration, consumer insight, data & digital, engineering & infrastructure, energy markets policy & regulations necessary to become successful in the industry.

Apply to Catapult, or learn more ➜

27. Think Beyond Data

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Artificial Intelligence Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Think Beyond Data program operated by Aston University, Birmingham, offers tailored business solutions and support to SMEs in the niche of Artificial Intelligence. They help business firms to improve data efficiency and turn the knowledge of data & analytics into new and innovative products. This program also assists them in building new job opportunities, efficient ways of working and accelerate the growth of the business by providing them with scalable business models, deep business insights, and no-cost business expertise.

Apply to Think Beyond Data, or learn more ➜

28. The Technology Supply Chain

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Industry: Engineering, Technology, and Manufacturing Businesses
  • Investment Size: Not Disclosed
  • Program Length: Not Disclosed
  • Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The Technology Supply Chain business program assists and supports technology businesses by providing them with funds, opportunities, free-of-cost memberships, technical assistance, professional, financial, and marketing services, tools & resources for manufacturing & engineering, and growing innovative tech businesses. This program creates innovative business opportunities and helps entrepreneurs, innovators, and founders to move forward in the industry, increase customer base, and reach pre-determined business goals.

Apply to The Technology Supply Chain, or learn more ➜

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.