The new complex for hi-tech start-ups will be built at the Birmingham Science Park Aston.

The chosen three are Bruntwood, Thomas Vale Construction, and a Trebor Developments/Hortons Estate consortium.

More than 80 initial expressions of interest were made for the scheme and a winner will be chosen this summer before a planning application is prepared.

All three shortlisted parties have backed the plans to create a high-tech business incubation centre to be named iCentrumTM, as the first of the four proposed Digital Plaza buildings.

Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Chairman of the Park said: “The Park already enjoys an international profile, and the Digital Plaza with the new iCentrumTM building will create a science park fit for 2020 and beyond here in the heart of Birmingham.”

The winning joint venture partner will undertake funding/investment; design and development; construction; facility operation and management for the Digital Plaza, which is envisaged to provide a total gross area of over 100,000 sq ft within four state-of-the-art buildings.