The West Midlands has been named as one of the top three most innovative places in Europe.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has listed the West Midlands, Turin in Italy and Espoo in Finland in their shortlist to be crowned the European Capital of Innovation, otherwise known as the iCapital.

Previous iCaptials include Barcelona, Amsterdam and Athens.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is leading the region’s bid to take the top spot, in recognition of its long-standing role at the cutting edge of new technology.

The region has been a leader in innovation for over two centuries, being the birthplace of inventions such as Watt’s steam engine, Starley’s bicycle, Whittle’s jet engine, the pacemaker, the pen, the world’s leading brain cancer drug and the world’s first ibuprofen patch.

The West Midlands remains a trailblazer to this day, with 5G-powered medical technologies and fleets of electric self-driving busses being some of the projects which are currently being developed here.

Key to being shortlisted by the EIC is the £33 million ‘Innovation Accelerator’ that is being led by the WMCA as part of the region’s devolution deal.

It provides hundreds of businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and small firms with support and funding to help commercialise new and emerging products and technologies, focussing on clean tech and med tech, as well as the digital and creative industries.

As well as this, earlier this month the WMCA began work to deliver the flagship ‘Investment Zone’, capable of driving more than £5 billion of investment and 30,000 new jobs, helping to establish the region as a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing, green industries, health-tech and other digital technologies.

🙌 The West Midlands has been named as one of the top three most innovative places in Europe!

Our region has a long tradition of innovation going back more than 200 years and this recognition highlights the impactful work and opportunities made here 🚀#WestMidlandsInnovation pic.twitter.com/nLhghVj8Jd

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “It’s a privilege to represent the West Midlands on such an important international stage.

“Our region’s creativity and drive for innovation are helping to solve real-world challenges, improve lives, and boost our economy.

“This recognition highlights the impact of the incredible work happening here, and I’m excited to see how we continue to lead the way, creating opportunities and making a difference for communities across the West Midlands and beyond.”

The mayor used this nomination as the launch of the ‘It Starts Here’ campaign, which is being led by the West Midlands Growth Company to transform perceptions of the region.

The WMCA has also established the West Midlands Innovation Board to retain and build on the region’s long-standing reputation as a place where great innovators, inventors, and ground-breaking artists can get the support they need to thrive.

Mike Wright, chairman of the West Midlands Innovation Board, said: “Being named as one of three finalists in this year's European iCap competition is a tremendous testament to the incredible work happening across the Birmingham and West Midlands innovation ecosystem. 

“It reflects not only the region's growing innovation and research and development impact across a number of emerging clusters but also leveraging the diversity of the region.

“It is a recognition of our competitive standing across Europe and will hopefully accelerate even more activity, investment and business growth in innovation, research and development across the region.”

Neil Rami, chief executive at West Midlands Growth Company, added: “The West Midlands has long been at the vanguard of solutions to the world’s ‘grand challenges’ – from cybersecurity for a safer tomorrow, to the automotive sector’s race to electrification.

“Home to the UK’s fastest-growing tech sector – valued at £15.3bn – and highest number of companies in emerging tech outside of London, innovation is now the number one catalyst for ambitious international investors with their eyes on expansion.

“This prestigious award, along with our dynamic new destination promotion campaign, It Starts Here, will help to put the West Midlands on the map for global businesses developing the technologies of the future.

“Our new campaign provides a unique platform for the West Midlands’ public, private and academic sectors to join hands and proudly advocate for the region, so we hope organisations will join us in amplifying its messaging far and wide.”

This year’s iCaptial will be announced in Lisbon, Portugal in November.