Interim Report Publication: Inclusive Growth in the West Midlands Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

In the context of the research project "A Practice-theoretical Account of Organizational Attention", the interim report Inclusive Growth in the Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystem has been prepared by Dr. Matthew Hurst to support discussions at the Inequality to Opportunity: Growth for Everyone panel at the Grassroots Growth event on January 27, 2025.

The research explores the dynamics of inclusive growth within the West Midlands entrepreneurial ecosystem, drawing from qualitative data collected between February and October 2024. Through 55 semi-formal interviews, extensive document analysis, and over 100 hours of observational research, the report aims to raise themes pertinent to inclusive growth that have arisen during research taking place within the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The report briefly outlines the following emerging themes for debate:

• Will growth come from supporting the many or the few?
• Pathway or pathways for pursuing growth?
• Growth fostering healthy relationships between founders and finance?
• Growth with equitable inclusion for neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs?
• Growth with equitable inclusion for ethnic minorities and female entrepreneurs?

Rather than providing direct recommendations, the report presents insights and narratives from ecosystem members, offering a foundation for further debate and reflection.