First look at the success of the 2025 West Midlands Business Festival

3,517 free tickets were snapped up across 1,483 businesses for events covering AI and digital transformation to finance, marketing, and business growth strategies. But beyond the knowledge shared, the festival was about making meaningful connections—sparking new ideas, forming partnerships, and opening doors to future opportunities.

•    95% of attendees found the festival beneficial to their business.
•    83% valued the networking opportunities it provided.
•    64% gained knowledge that will help them grow and develop their business.

The Business Growth West Midlands team have had an incredible two weeks of visiting events and meeting the businesses we’re here to serve. Jay Lad, Events Manager for Business Growth West Midlands said, “A standout highlight of the festival was the opening event, where businesses, entrepreneurs, and partners came together, excited for two weeks of insightful events. The energy in the room was amazing and really showed how businesses in the West Midlands support each other and grow together. 

“Now, looking back, the positive feedback from businesses about the connections, knowledge, and opportunities they’ve gained over the past two weeks has been incredible. This festival was a real team effort, with everyone dedicating their time and passion to making it a success, and I’m so proud of what we achieved together.” 

A huge thank you

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our event hosts, speakers, and panellists who generously shared their expertise. A special thank you goes to the businesses and entrepreneurs who engaged so actively, making this festival the success that it was. We also extend our gratitude to our partners and stakeholders—including local authorities and other delivery partners—who played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life.

What’s next for business in the West Midlands?

The journey doesn’t stop here. Business Growth West Midlands continues to offer valuable support, from funding advice to networking opportunities, to help businesses thrive. What’s more, we still have Venturefest West Midlands to look forward to tomorrow (19 March), celebrating its 10th anniversary. This annual event brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors for a day of collaboration and insight. 

Planning has already begun for next year’s festival. Businesses interested in taking part—whether as event hosts, speakers, or attendees—are encouraged to get involved early to make it even bigger and better.

The West Midlands is a region of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive. The success of this first Business Festival proves that when we come together, we can achieve incredible things. Thank you to everyone who took part. We can’t wait to see what’s next for you and your businesses. See you soon!