In 2024 West Midlands was finalist of the European Capital of Innovation Awards and became a proud member of the iCapital Alumni Network. The iCapital award recognises cities and metropolitan areas for their human-centred innovation activities and their strong innovation ecosystems. Being part of this network is more than simply a recognition of achievements: it is also an ongoing opportunity to learn from peer cities and to bring back a fresh perspective and thinking. In West Midlands’ case, connections built through the iCapital network also help to strengthen the region’s position within the wider European innovation ecosystem landscape.
Aalborg (Denmark), being the winner in the Rising Innovative City category (below 250,000 inhabitants) in 2026, had the privilege to host this year’s iCapital awards launch and the alumni network meeting on 5th May. The launch took place in a stunning waterfront venue, Utzon Centre, designed by Jørn Utzon, the world-renown Sydney Opera House architect. Participants from around Europe had an opportunity to meet with Aalborg innovation ecosystem stakeholders, to learn about regional innovation projects impact and visit Aalborg University, one of the most outstanding regional innovation assets.
Aalborg, the capital of North Denmark attracts talents, innovators and investors by offering a thriving R&I environment that at the same time promises high quality of life and inspires trust. A place ideal to grow businesses and develop breakthrough innovations but also to raise children. Aalborg being a city with heavy industrial past nurtures innovation that responds to very relevant local societal challenges, such as green transition. The whole local ecosystem is extremely proud to educate future generations that are aware of their rights and actively engage in democratic processes, are socialised to co-design and co-create the city’s future where they want to live and which they want to see prosper.
West Midlands Combined Authority attended the Aalborg meeting and engaged in the discussions about the future of the iCapital network. Our region remains committed to deepening its network ties in the months ahead, to participation in key European events, exploring opportunities to bring international meetings to the region, and offering innovation expertise to other regions.
As for the alumni network, their momentum continues with the launch of a new iCapital Award 2027 call, opening the door to more cities to join this community of practice.
From Aalborg to Leuven
Leuven hosted the following alumni network meeting on 23 and 24 September. The programme moved between the M Museum, the Imec research campus and KU Leuven’s Arenberg Science Park. The Deputy Mayor for economy and education opened proceedings. She described a city of around 100,000 inhabitants, 60,000 of them students, with some 200 nationalities. In her words, a big city in a small-town setting.
Her message was about distance, specifically how short it is in Leuven between knowing something and doing something. Hospitals, companies, universities and residents all know each other. When COVID hit, nobody had to work out who to call. Research reached practice quickly, and that trust is what lets the city try new things. She said innovation doesn’t happen in isolation in labs. It happens where different perspectives meet, and it only counts if it makes people’s lives better. Leuven also aims to be a climate-neutral smart city, and is preparing for its role as European Capital of Culture in 2030, built around a “Human Nature” theme linking culture, science and wellbeing. Ideas are being taken out of the labs and into squares and libraries, where people can see them and question them. Flanders Innovation and Technology Week will do the same in October.
The rest of the programme was hands-on. Delegates toured Imec, a leading independent nanoelectronics research hub. They heard from the Mayor of Leuven and the director of the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) on the city’s innovation ecosystem. On Thursday they cycled to Arenberg Science Park for a session on KU Leuven’s research and development. Each city then gave a three-minute pitch on one innovation project.
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