Collaboration. That was very much the theme when the curtains were raised for the inaugural Birmingham Tech Week at Millennium Point on Monday evening.

Founded by Yiannis Maos, the week (October 13-17) consists of more than 60 events across the city which provide a platform for local organisations to collaborate, innovate and sustain the growth of the region’s tech scene.

Liquid client West Midlands 5G (WM5G) took centre stage and compered the launch event. Set-up earlier this year to develop the UK’s first 5G testbed, WM5G will ultimately inform the roll-out of the new technology across the UK.

WM5G’s managing director Robert Franks was part of an on-stage panel discussion with representatives from software firm Advanced, Click Travel and KPMG. He promised WM5G would help foster collaboration, drive innovation and most importantly, create positive change in the region.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands outlined a regional renaissance and the combined authority’s plans to boost the economy with tech innovation. Moreover, Mike Jackson, from the entrepreneurial Tech Nation, told delegates the West Midlands is the region for tech and digital companies to thrive in.

Personally, I feel what is unique about the West Midlands is how its economy historically has been deeply rooted in innovation. Birmingham is today underpinned by a vibrant, young community of entrepreneurial graduates from world-class universities and is primed for success with the next generation of technology at its disposal.

As Robert Franks stated, the level of commitment to make things happen in this region is unparalleled. Ultimately, successful technology innovation requires collaboration and that’s exactly the message Birmingham Tech Week is hammering home.

If you’d like to work together to grow your technology brand or business, I encourage you to collaborate with us too.

Ross Copping, account manager