Birmingham Knowledge Quarter
BCU: At the heart of the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter
What is the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter (B-KQ)?
A government-backed Investment Zone spanning 210 hectares, delivering 580,000 sqm of cutting-edge innovation and commercial space, and creating over 22,000 highly skilled jobs, alongside new homes, public realm enhancements, green spaces and a vibrant cultural and community offer.
B-KQ is set to be a vibrant, globally connected hub for life sciences, digital health, fintech, and advanced manufacturing.
B-KQ facts
£15bn tech sector
7.4m people within a 1 hour drive of the B-KQ
90% of UK businesses accessible within a 4 hour journey
2nd largest clinical trials base in Europe
Birmingham Knowledge Quarter
Opportunities for different users
Students
Access to 22,000+ high-value jobs, placements with global tech firms, and a 49-minute link to London via HS2.
Businesses
5 years of business rates relief, tax incentives, and R&D support from BCU researchers.
Researchers
Access to world-class labs (including the BioCity at Curzon Wharf) and data-driven "Digital Twin" planning tools.
Our partners
B–KQ is powered by a Quadruple Helix partnership involving the public sector, private sector, academia, and community working as one.
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Birmingham City Council
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Aston University
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Bruntwood SciTech
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Woodbourne Group
About Birmingham
Birmingham is a city with innovation in its DNA. Once a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, today it leads in life sciences, fintech, and digital tech - with the fintech sector alone valued at £411 million. Now, with B-KQ, the city is writing its next chapter, one of inclusive growth, ambitious investment, and world-class collaboration.
Professor David Mba
Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University
“This collaboration is a statement of intent for Birmingham. Guided by BCU’s Strategy 2030 and our mission to be an exemplar anchor tenant, we will work with our partners - aligning talent, investment and ambition - to position Birmingham and the West Midlands as a globally recognised centre for innovation, while ensuring local communities share directly in the opportunities this growth creates.”