Innovation in Greater Manchester: Have your say
Call for SME leaders to help shape forthcoming business support programmes and policy
Here is a unique opportunity to have your say in what innovation support and investment should look like for your business. Register now for one of the roundtables running throughout February and March in Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport and Oldham.
Roundtable events programme | How innovation support helps your business | Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem | Support for all businesses | FAQs | Innovation case studies
GC Business Growth Hub is working in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority to help shape future support and funding for SMEs in the city-region.
A key part of this is an exciting new Innovation Accelerator project to support business and research, complementing the vision set out in Greater Manchester’s Innovation Plan to put the city-region at the forefront of global progress.
Ahead of the project’s launch in April 2023, we are asking for insight from SMEs into the opportunities and challenges you currently face, and the support needed to drive business investment in R&D and innovation. If you’re a business leader who works in, or with, one of Greater Manchester’s four ‘frontier’ sectors, then register here to have your say:
- Advanced Materials and Advanced Manufacturing
- Digital and Creative
- Health Innovation and Life Sciences
- Net Zero
Scroll down for more about Greater Manchester’s frontier sectors and innovation ecosystem
Our aim is to capture the ‘voice of business’, ensuring that input is received direct from those operating at the coal face. By participating, you’ll be making a crucial contribution to what future assistance and funding for SMEs looks like, as well as helping to shape best practice and policy.
With our partners, we have already hosted lively discussions across Greater Manchester in January – don’t miss out on the chance to participate in one of the remaining roundtables, which are led by sector specialists. See the full programme of events below.
Pressing the accelerator: talking innovation eco-systems with Salma Chaudhry
Read our Innovation Accelerator Q&A with Salma Chaudhry, Innovation Network Manager
Our current programme of roundtable events are listed below. More events will be added along with the details
Thursday 19th January 13:30 - 14:30
Reducing Energy Grid Reliance
Monday 30th January 13:45 - 17:00
AR & VR Advanced Digital Tech
Thursday 9th February 10:00 - 12:00
Net Zero
Wednesday 15th February 10:00 - 12:00
Cyber Security
Thursday 23rd February 10:00 - 12:00
Advanced Manufacturing & Local Innovation Hubs
Wednesday 1st March 08:00 - 10:00
Climate Action Business Forum
Monday 6th March 10:00 - 12:00
Immersive Tech & the Metaverse
Thursday 9th March 10:00 - 12:00
Financing and Funding R&D
Thursday 16th March 14.30-16:00
Improving support for the Health & Life Sciences Ecosystem in Greater Manchester
You only need to look along the Oxford Road Corridor or go to the Salford Innovation Triangle to get a feel for the internationally recognised R&D bodies, highly skilled people, major global businesses, and innovative SMEs that reside in Greater Manchester.
The Innovation Accelerator aims to help maximise the potential of SMEs in Greater Manchester by creating the conditions for businesses, universities and other research bodies, public sector organisations, and professional and local networks to work together; sharing knowledge, collaborating to address challenges, and creating new commercial opportunities.
Why? As identified by the Government’s Levelling-Up White Paper (2022) and Greater Manchester’s Innovation Plan, a thriving innovation ecosystem will lead to more high-quality jobs and more productive firms across all parts of the city-region and in all sectors. It will improve the lives of people across all communities, thanks to increased skills, better opportunities, as well as resulting improvements to health and reduced inequality.
Below is a snapshot of the innovation assets that can provide specialist support to SMEs:
SECTOR
Advanced Materials and Advanced Manufacturing
SECTOR
Digital and Creative
SECTOR
Health Innovation and Life Sciences
SECTOR
Net Zero
Expert support, funding and tailored resources exist for all SMEs in Greater Manchester,
Areas you can receive support with include: addressing technical challenges with short or long-term solutions; accessing research or testing; transferring knowledge, data and expertise into your business; and access to innovation funding and supporting your application.
Email BGHinnovation@growthco.uk and connect with your local innovation advisor and find out more.
QUESTION
What does the Innovation Accelerator mean for my business?
QUESTION
There are so many different organisations listed. How do I know where to start, or who to contact?
QUESTION
My business isn’t at the cutting edge, so how is innovation relevant?
QUESTION
I still don’t understand why innovation ecosystems are important?
Hear from SMEs in Greater Manchester that have benefitted from putting innovation at the forefront of their business models. If you work in one of these sectors then register your interest in our Innovation Accelerator roundtables here.
Adv. Materials & Manufacturing
Innovation Vouchers help fund University link-up for Trafford SME
M&I Materials
Digital & Creative
Oldham software developers benefit from University collaboration
System Pioneer
Health Innovation & Life Sciences
Funding and access to networks boosts Eccles based company
Innovate Pharmaceuticals
Net Zero