Ambitious new tech ‘innovation cluster’ for Birmingham

Plans for world-class new Birmingham Innovation Quarter (B-IQ) unveiled by property provider Bruntwood SciTech.

A pioneering partnership has just been announced that will see development of 20-hectares around Aston University, including existing property and sites owned by the university and Birmingham City Council, including the former Aston Science Park, as well as Bruntwood SciTech’s Innovation Birmingham campus.

Given Aston University’s established strengths in science, technology and enterprise, plus some 120 businesses already established at Innovation Birmingham, B-IQ is expected to be an internationally renowned tech and health innovation hub. 

The plan outlines a long term, mixed-use development, with commercial office space for the science and tech sector, private and student residences, hospitality and new teaching and research facilities. 

There is also potential for further, large-scale expansion 

Rob Valentine, Birmingham Director of Bruntwood SciTech, says: ‘Our history of creating, expanding and investing in innovation districts for the long-term, as we’re already demonstrating at Innovation Birmingham and Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, means we’re uniquely placed to support the ambitions of the city and its leadership, and the significant economic opportunity presented by the development of B-IQ.  

‘The spatial framework we’ve developed represents a watershed moment for the city. We look forward to formalising a partnership with Aston University and Birmingham City Council in support of a prosperous new cluster, focused on the core principles of location, people and innovation.’ 

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, adds: ‘This is an exciting new chapter as Birmingham strives to be a leading international city. It will generate significant investment, attracting the world’s brightest talent, while also creating opportunities in some of the city’s most deprived wards.’ 

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, says: ‘B-IQ represents an innovation ecosystem that will co-locate industry, business, entrepreneurs and start-up founders together with staff and students from academia, bringing digital cutting-edge research into a range of sectors – most critically the health tech sector.  

‘It will become the catalyst for foreign investment, for business transformation, and for skills, and in turn will create socio-economic impact across the region.’ 

In related news, digital businesses in Birmingham will soon have improved network coverage after the council approved a proposal to accelerate full fibre coverage.

Image courtesy of Bruntwood SciTech.