BCIMO Drives Regional Innovation with Two Events at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre

BCIMO’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley has recently been at the heart of regional innovation, hosting two significant events that showcased both the borough’s entrepreneurial spirit and the future of transport technology. Following close on the heels of a ‘From Steel to Silicon’ event at the neighbouring Black Country Living Museum, which explored how the region’s industrial heritage continues to inform tomorrow’s innovations, these events further cemented the area’s reputation as a hub for industry innovation.

INNOVATE DUDLEY EXPO

The Innovate Dudley Expo, held on Tuesday 11th March, transformed the Centre into a bustling hive of creative energy and business acumen. As part of the inaugural West Midlands Business Festival, the event brought together the best of innovation from across the Dudley area, offering attendees practical advice on boosting innovation within their businesses alongside opportunities to connect with both local pioneers and national support services.

The day began in the Auditorium with a warm welcome from PJ Ellis, Birmingham-born entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former solicitor and Councillor Patrick Harley, Leader of Dudley Council. This was followed by an inspiring keynote address from Professor Deborah Leary OBE, Scale Up Director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Attendees then engaged with three thought-provoking panel discussions covering essential aspects of innovation: developing an innovative mindset, understanding intellectual property, and financing new ideas. Each session featured industry experts sharing invaluable insights, including Black Country based manufacturers Martin Dudley from Thomas Dudley and Mark Jones from Midtherm, as well as representatives from organisations such as the IP Office and British Business Bank.

The afternoon programme offered deeper engagement through facilitated roundtables on innovation business planning and a dynamic ‘Pitch Your Problem’ networking session. Inside the Exhibition Hall, local businesses showcased their products and services while representatives from support services including the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Business Growth West Midlands, and Innovate UK Business Growth were on hand to discuss transformation opportunities.

BCIMO’s flexible Meeting & Event Spaces provided the perfect setting for a diverse programme, seamlessly adapting to panel discussions, roundtable conversations, and exhibition needs.

Discussing the Innovate Dudley Expo, Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

“From robot waiters to industry-leading advanced manufacturing, it was a pleasure to hear about the many ways that Dudley borough businesses are embracing innovation and new technology.

Events like the Innovate Dudley Expo are an important part of connecting our borough’s entrepreneurs with the right people and organisations to take their businesses forward. It was fantastic to see so many of them in attendance.”

SPACE FOR INTERMODAL TRANSPORT WORKSHOP

Just one day later, on 12th March, BCIMO welcomed transport innovators and stakeholders for the Space for Intermodal Transport Workshop,. This forward-looking event, forming part of BCIMO’s Clean Futures Catalyst programme, explored the exciting crossover between space technology and integrated transport systems ahead of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space for Intermodal Transport Funding Call launching in March 2025.

The event opened with an introduction from Paul Bhatia, ESA Business Ambassador (BASS) for the UK, followed by presentations from Liz Barrow, ESA’s Land Mobility Lead, Frank McQuade from the Satellite Applications Catapult’s Midlands Space Cluster and Naomi Arblaster, BCIMO’s Head of SME Development. Speakers from pioneering technologies, including Coventry Very Light Rail, EV8 Switch, the LUCI Project (Land Use Change Identification) and Murphy Geospatial, also shared insights into the latest developments in transport and geospatial technology, highlighting innovations, challenges, and future opportunities in the sector.

After lunch and a tour of the BCIMO Rail Development & Test Site, attendees had the opportunity to connect with developers and users of intermodal transport solutions. The diverse range of projects and discussions left participants optimistic about the partnerships and collaborations emerging from the BASS programme. The event facilitated valuable exchanges of ideas and potential partnerships, with participants exploring practical applications for cutting-edge solutions that could shape the future of intermodal transport. The emphasis on cross-sector innovation and strengthening supply chains through advanced technologies resonated strongly with attendees from across the transport spectrum.

Discussing ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, Paul Bhatia, ESA Business Applications Ambassador for the UK, said:

“ESA Business Applications provides a fantastic opportunity for companies who are developing innovative solutions for intermodal transport to attract funding. We’ve already helped well over 1200 companies access a share of €250m and you could be next!”

What makes this set of events so significant is how they epitomise BCIMO’s commitment to nurturing innovation throughout the West Midlands. By participating in and hosting this programme of events, BCIMO continues to facilitate meaningful connections between the region’s proud manufacturing heritage and the emerging technologies that will undoubtedly shape its future.

The Clean Futures Catalyst, under which the Space for Intermodal Transport Workshop was delivered, continues to provide transport-related businesses with an extensive programme of free events designed to accelerate both innovation and collaboration. BCIMO’s headquarters has proven itself as an ideal venue for such forward-thinking discussions, offering both the technical facilities and the flexible environment needed to foster genuine innovation.

As the West Midlands Business Festival continues to showcase the region’s dynamic business ecosystem, BCIMO remains at the forefront of initiatives that position the Black Country at the cutting edge of transport innovation, while honouring the region’s industrial spirit.

For more information on BCIMO or the VLRNIC, please visit the BCIMO website or click Contact Us to make an enquiry / sign up to our mailing list.