A business programme aimed at helping start-up tech companies get off the ground is expanding.
The Entrepreneurs for the Future centre, based at the Innovation Birmingham Campus, has welcomed four more companies to the scheme, bringing the total to 95 which have joined it since launch in November 2009.
The quartet of new tech ventures to be accepted onto the European Regional Development Fund-supported programme include three gaming companies - AsDesigned Games, Incus Games, Trebuchet Games.
The fourth is Roomie which is an app aimed at helping people looking for a spare room to rent to identify potential housemates.
In addition, programme assistant Naomi Watts has been recruited to assist with the increasing number of companies going through the incubation process as the programme passes the £3.5m investment milestone.
Companies based in the centre received free office space, wi-fi, telecomms and mentoring support as well as have access to an events programme.
Innovation Birmingham chief executive David Hardman said: "The continued growth and expansion of our specialist tech incubation centre is a really positive sign for the city.
"In 2013, Birmingham was the top location outside of London for new start-ups, with 16,281 companies being launched here - almost 5,000 more than the next contender Manchester.
"It has been well documented that digital and med-tech firms account for a big number of the new start-ups across the West Midlands.
"It is important these companies then grow to be substantial and long-lasting. Launching a new business in a sector specific incubation centre ensures it has a much better chance of succeeding and becoming commercially viable in a short period of time.
"Recruiting Naomi Watts to join the expanding programme will be a great asset to the team and the work we do."
