Innovation Birmingham has announced a new partnership with one of the world's largest equity crowdfunding platforms Crowdcube.

The deal is aimed at encouraging successful fund raising for start-ups and early stage businesses.

Established in 2011, Crowdcube has nearly 300,000 registered investors on its site and has so far funded more than £185 million.

This deal with Innovation Birmngham will be Crowdcube's first partnership outside London.

This announcement follows the completion of Innovation Birmingham's new iCentrum building which opened earlier this year complete with the Serendip Smart City Incubator - a programme which co-locates start-ups with commercial partners.

Start-up companies on the programme will benefit from reduced commission rates when raising money through Crowdcube.

Cliff Dennett, head of business development at Innovation Birmingham, said: "This deal with Crowdcube is a significant benefit to the region's entrepreneurs who sometimes struggle to raise investment and will be a vital next step in growing investment capacity in the region.

"We are delighted to be working with the Crowdcube and to be adding an important additional service to our already extensive start-up support activities."

Jonathan Keeling, head of partnerships at Crowdcube, added: "As the second largest city in the country and one of the youngest populations in Europe, Birmingham represents a fantastic opportunity.

"Crowdcube's partnership with Innovation Birmingham is a fantastic opportunity for us to support the growth of the city's next generation of entrepreneurs.

"With over £10 million having already been raised for businesses in the North and a growing number of businesses seeking to raise between £60,000 - £3 million in the pipeline, we are excited to build on that success through our partnership with Innovation Birmingham."