Birmingham City University tops West Midlands for student start-ups
Birmingham City University (BCU) is now the leading university in the West Midlands for student and graduate start-up creation, securing the 13th position nationally, according to the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
In the past year, BCU students and graduates have established nearly 100 start-ups, surpassing all other higher education institutions in the region.
Comparing nationally, the University of Oxford produced just 20 spinouts and start-ups last year. This year’s ranking has seen BCU move up one place from last year’s rankings.
Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at BCU, said: "This accomplishment recognises our continued success in nurturing home-grown entrepreneurial talent by offering our students specialised pathways that support their ambitions, delivered through our STEAMhouse building.
“The West Midlands business ecosystem benefits greatly from graduate skills joining the workforce sooner, and our students are supported to transform their innovative ideas into thriving businesses.
“And this provides further evidence that our Strategy for 2030, which commits us to developing the talent for tomorrow, and powering prosperity within the region, sets us on the path to delivering even more entrepreneurial opportunities for our students.”
Henrietta Brealey, CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said: “Birmingham’s student population is a major contributor to the future growth of the city, with today’s student start-ups potentially becoming major regional employers in the future.
“Birmingham is uniquely attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which remain the backbone of the national UK economy.
“By encouraging students to explore their entrepreneurial ideas early, BCU is helping to grow both the diversity and resilience of the local business community.”
BCU's initiatives, including dedicated business support programmes and expert mentorship, have been instrumental in this success.
The STEAMhouse Business Incubator provides information, support and a base for students, graduates and local entrepreneurs setting up their own businesses.
BCU is also a major contributor to BSEEN, a regional entrepreneurship scheme for students and graduates, which provides a 12-month start-up package to turn business idea into reality.
The STEAMhouse building features a range of co-working, artist production, allowing learning in business and taking part in real industry-based projects while developing entrepreneurship skills.
