Unlocking the Power of Collaboration and Innovation: TheStory of MIF and What’s Next
When we launched the Midlands Investment Forum (MIF) in Birmingham in November 2024, we didn’t just aim to host an event. We set out to ignite something bigger—a movement to spotlight the Midlands as a thriving hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment potential. What unfolded on that day surpassed even our most ambitious expectations. Here’s the story of why we did it, what we learned, and how we’re gearing up to build on that momentum in 2025 and beyond.
Why MIF Happened: A Collision of Passions
MIF was born from the intersection of two passions. First, my deep commitment to supporting founders and leaders of early-stage businesses, from startups to scale-ups. Over the years, as a coach, advisor, and angel investor, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless entrepreneurs navigating the highs and lows of building their visions. I share this passion with Andy Yeoman, a serial entrepreneur and investor who joined me as co-conspirator in this journey. Together, we decided to take the leap and makeMIF a reality.
Second, I’ve always been driven by the power of connection—bringing diverse people together to spark ideas and create impact.My work as a strategy facilitator, leadership coach, and capability-builder has taught me that transformative breakthroughs happen when different perspectives collide. MIF was an opportunity to harness that energy for the Midlands region.
The Problem We Set Out to Solve
Our aim with MIF was to act as a catalyst—to connect dots, build momentum, and shine a light on the Midlands as an investment destination.The region is brimming with talent, world-class innovation, and ambitious businesses, but it often struggles to get the recognition it deserves. Here’s what we observed:
Perception Gaps: Investors outside the region often overlook the Midlands. I’ve had seasoned angels tell me they’d never considered stopping in Birmingham on their way between London and Manchester. The event aimed to change those perceptions.
Fragmented Networks: While the Midlands has incredible angel investors, syndicates, accelerators, and university spin-outs, they often operate in silos. There was a clear need to better connect these groups—within the region and beyond.
Support Gaps for Founders: Many founders expressed feeling unsupported, particularly when it came to securing capital and accessing mentorship. Some had to leave the region to find investment, and others felt their leadership development needs were overlooked.
MIF set out to address these challenges by bringing together the key stakeholders—investors, founders, leadership teams, ecosystem players, and policymakers—under one roof.
What Happened at MIF 2024
The event itself was a resounding success, with 65 attendees representing founders, investors, and regional leaders. Here are some highlights:
Panel Discussion: We opened with a provocative conversation about the region’s challenges and opportunities, featuring insights from experts like Dr. Lisa Smith of Midlands Mindforge and Professor Andy Pardoe from Warwick Business School.
Table Discussions: Attendees tackled four critical issues facing the Midlands: the region’s branding and self-esteem, retaining young talent, expanding the angel investor network, and improving access to scaling capital. These discussions sparked actionable ideas.
Pitch Session: Nine Midlands-based businesses showcased their innovative ideas to potential investors. Remarkably, five were pitching for the first time, and the level of quality and potential on display left investors impressed.
Key Insights and Lessons Learned
Reflecting on MIF, here are four key insights that stood out:
The Power of Community: The event highlighted the incredible potential of a unified Midlands business community. Bringing together founders, investors, and leaders from diverse sectors created connections that are already driving change. Nearly every attendee left with valuable new relationships.
World-Class Talent: The businesses that pitched demonstrated the Midlands’ ability to compete on a national and global stage. One seasoned angel investor remarked, “I’ve been investing for 25 years, and I’ve never seen businesses like these come across my desk in London. It’s refreshing.”
Action Beyond Talk: While the event sparked invaluable conversations, the real impact lies in what happens next. Attendees have already started making connections, sharing advice, and exploring collaborations with the pitching businesses. Momentum is building.
The Need for Leadership: To truly elevate the Midlands, we need strong political and business leadership. The region has the talent and infrastructure but lacks a cohesive brand and strategic focus. We need champions who can drive investment and showcase the Midlands on the global stage.
What’s Next for MIF
We’re not stopping here. The energy and interest generated by MIF have inspired us to expand our efforts in 2025 and beyond. Here’s what’s coming:
Taking MIF on the Road: We’re hosting a London event on March 26th to connect Midlands-based businesses with investors and stakeholders from the capital.
Returning to Birmingham: Another MIF event is planned for late Q3 or early Q4 2025 to continue building momentum within the region.
Going Global: We’re exploring opportunities to take Midlands-based businesses to international investors or bring global investors to the Midlands.
Supporting Founders Beyond Events: I’m doubling down on my work as a coach and connector, supporting founders and leadership teams with the strategic and emotional tools they need to succeed.
Why This Matters to You
Whether you’re an investor, founder, corporate leader, or ecosystem player, there’s a role for you in shaping the Midlands’ future. The success of MIF showed us what’s possible when we collaborate with purpose. But it also underscored the importance of sustained effort and accountability.
If you’re passionate about innovation, leadership, and driving meaningful impact, let’s connect. Whether you’re looking for a coach to help unlock your leadership potential, a facilitator to guide your team’s strategic thinking, or a partner to help your organisation scale, I’d love to explore how we can work together.
Together, we can create something extraordinary—for the Midlands, for your business, and for the broader community. Let’s start the conversation.
