The investment backs the next generation of high-potential science, health and technology businesses across the Midlands.
Midlands Mindforge is an ambitious patient‑capital investment company founded by eight research‑intensive universities in the Midlands (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick).
It invests in ground‑breaking science and technology companies across the Midlands region.
Through equity investment combined with hands‑on company‑building support, it creates the conditions for spinouts and early‑stage science and technology businesses to scale and thrive. Life Sciences and MedTech are among its focus sectors.
The investment comes at a time when the Midlands is working to strengthen the journey from its considerable research and innovation base to commercial success.
The region has significant strengths in research, entrepreneurship and health innovation, but has historically faced challenges in attracting investment and translating research into high-growth businesses.
Medilink Midlands’ investment in Mindforge is a practical commitment to helping address that challenge and strengthening the ecosystem around innovation, investment and growth.
The Midlands is home to the UK’s largest medtech cluster, contributing an estimated £1.6 billion in GVA, and has the second-largest clinical trials cluster in Europe.
Martin Levermore MBE DL, chair of Medilink Midlands, said: “The Midlands has an extraordinary depth of research, innovation and entrepreneurial talent.
“Our challenge is making sure that more of those ideas have the investment and support they need to become successful businesses and deliver real-world impact.
“That is why Medilink Midlands chose to invest in Midlands Mindforge.
“We wanted to make a tangible commitment to strengthening the ecosystem around innovation and to helping create better routes from research and ideas through to investment, commercialisation and growth.
“For the health and life sciences sector in particular, access to the right networks, expertise and investment at the right time can make a significant difference to whether an innovation reaches the market.
“We want to play our part in making that journey easier and helping more businesses grow and succeed here in the Midlands.”
The investment complements Medilink Midlands’ wider work across the regional innovation ecosystem, including its involvement in Forging Ahead, a five-year initiative involving Midlands universities and led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation.
Forging Ahead is focused on addressing some of the structural challenges facing the region, including strengthening investment readiness, supporting spinouts and creating stronger connections between researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry.
Medilink Midlands also works across the life sciences and medtech ecosystem in the Midlands and East of England, connecting businesses, innovators, academia, healthcare and industry to strengthen collaboration, unlock investment and support the development and commercialisation of innovative health technologies.
In the West Midlands, this includes its work through the West Midlands Health Technologies Cluster (WMHTC), supporting the growth of the region’s health technology sector and strengthening connections across the wider ecosystem.
