Business Festival sparks creation of Eastern European entrepreneurs’ group in Walsall
Published: 19 August 2025
After the overwhelming success of its inaugural year, the West Midlands Business Festival is set to return in 2026, promising to be even bigger, bolder, and more ambitious.
Launched in 2025 by Mayor Richard Parker and organised by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), the first-ever festival brought together more than 1,500 businesses and welcomed over 4,000 attendees across two packed weeks of events. With more than 100 workshops, networking sessions, discussions, and industry showcases, it quickly became one of the region’s most influential business gatherings.
The 2025 festival wasn’t just about big numbers, it was about real impact. One of the most inspiring outcomes was the story of Sylwia Juranek, a Walsall-based entrepreneur who runs Reach for a Star C.I.C. and Missing Link Support Ltd.
Sylwia hosted a festival event in Walsall for Eastern European entrepreneurs living and working in the West Midlands. What started as a single networking event turned into the creation of a brand-new support group: Eastern European Business Owners from West Midlands.
The event drew 20 participants from across the region and even as far as Luton, representing countries such as Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, and Moldova.
20 people from across West Midlands attended our event. One person travelled all the way from Luton to join us. This was the first time I’d met all but two directors of another organisation I previously collaborated on a project with.
We’re from Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia and Moldova, and decided to start a business here in West Midlands. Everyone agreed, there was nothing like this for our community before and it was needed so much!
Attendees requested to organise these types of events on a regular basis. We have already arranged another meeting for in May in Birmingham, to make it more central for everyone. And it looks like we may have a sponsor to cover the cost of the venue. Another attendee agreed to manage a WhatsApp Group, to bring us all together even closer, and another committed to provide a workshop on AI solutions to the rest of the group.
This grassroots success story embodies what the West Midlands Business Festival is all about: breaking down barriers, connecting communities, and creating opportunities that continue long after the festival ends.
Mayor Richard Parker reflected on the legacy of 2024:
This festival was about bringing businesses together, to learn from one another and celebrate success. And we delivered.
We helped Sylwia build a new support group, while connecting hundreds of businesses and thousands of individuals to real growth opportunities.
The feedback has been phenomenal, but the work doesn’t stop here. I’m giving businesses the funding and support they need to grow, create jobs, and drive our economy forward. We’ve already issued £10 million of grants and supported over 10,000 businesses but there is more to do.
I want next year to be bigger, bolder, and even more ambitious. The future of business in the West Midlands is bright. I can’t wait to build on this success.
The 2026 festival will once again be delivered by BGWM, in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and with support from the region’s Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), universities, and business organisations.
The aim is simple: to harness the West Midlands’ diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit to turbocharge economic growth and create an inclusive, thriving business community.
With plans already underway, businesses across the region can expect a dynamic line-up of events, thought leadership sessions, networking opportunities, and new initiatives designed to spark collaboration and growth.
If the success of 2025 is anything to go by, the West Midlands Business Festival 2026 promises to be an unmissable celebration of entrepreneurship, community, and opportunity.
