If you’re just beginning your startup journey, Manchester Digital has collected together some of the best resources available for tech startups in the local area.
It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. It’s designed to give you a starting point for exploring the ecosystem.
We will be updating this list every quarter, so look out for new additions in the coming months. If you would like your organisation to be listed on this page, please contact us.
Investment
Finding the right investor is crucial for the success of any startup looking to scale, and identifying investors who will not only provide the necessary capital but also bring strategic value can be a challenge.
Early-stage investors that are either locally based, or with a local presence, you should know about include:
GC ANGELS
HQ: Manchester
Manchester investments include: Twine, Gelmetix, Manchester Imaging Limited, Biorelate
MERCIA ASSET MANAGEMENT
HQ: Manchester
Manchester investments include: AppLearn, Manchester Imaging, Shopblocks, MusicMagpie, Pimberly, ResponseTap
NORTHERN GRITSTONE
HQ: Manchester
Manchester investments include: Pencil Biosciences,
QV Bioelectronics, Imperagen
OCTOPUS VENTURES
HQ: London with a
Manchester office
Manchester investments include: Pencil Biosciences
PRAETURA VENTURES
HQ: Manchester
Manchester investments include: AeroCloud, Arctic Shores, BankiFi, Culture Shift, Dr Fertility, Modern Milkman, Orka, Peak, PixelMax, Recourse AI
Investors further afield you should consider include:
HAATCH
HQ: Stamford, Lincolnshire
Manchester investments include: Financielle, Made With Intent
RIVER CAPITAL
HQ: Liverpool
Operates ‘fund:AI’, the North’s first dedicated AI, machine learning and data science fund
Incubators
They might offer a combination of advice and support, and desk space near similar companies. But while the exact offer varies, these programmes exist to help startups firm up their product and business model and go to market.
Incubators based in the Greater Manchester region you may wish to explore include:
EXCHANGE
In their own words: “The Exchange programme provides support for ambitious tech businesses and empowers them to grow by providing access to the tools and learnings to scale, as well as build a lasting collaborative community of like-minded forward-thinking entrepreneurs.”
Sector: A broad variety of startups accepted
Offer includes: Desk space; workshops, access to expertise, resources and support from industry partners; up-skill sessions and high profile speakers
Location: Department Bonded Warehouse, Lower Byrom Street, Manchester
DISH: GREATER MANCHESTER SECURITY HUB
In their own words: “Bringing together experts in digital and cyber security from the public, private and academic sectors to help Greater Manchester’s digital security startups to innovate and grow.”
Sector: Cybersecurity
Offer includes: Desk space, ecosystem expertise, growth programmes
Location: Manchester city centre
MANCHESTER TECH INCUBATOR
In their own words:“In partnership with Manchester Digital, the Tech Incubator is ideal for disruptive data science and innovative technology businesses.”
Sector: Broad variety of startups
Offer includes: Coworking space and small private serviced offices for 2-12 people are available, and include dedicated business support to access finance and funding, world-class talent, new markets, and the connections your business needs to succeed
Location: Oxford Road, Manchester
ZEBOX
In their own words: “A network of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and ecosystem experts paving new paths toward sustainability starting with the supply chain.”
Sector: Startups that have relevance to supply chains and sustainability
Offer includes: ZEBOX’s Execute programme provides personalised support, helping startups in the entrepreneurial execution of their project to raise funds.
Location: 127 Portland Street, Manchester
Accelerators
Traditionally, accelerators combine support and desk space with investment and even a ‘demo day’ to present their latest cohort of startups to investors.
Make sure you check what an accelerator offers carefully and understand any fees they may deduct from any headline investment figure they mention. As accelerators often take a stake in your business, do due diligence to check the accelerator you’re considering has a strong reputation and is the right fit for your company.
Notable accelerators in the North West currently include:
BALTIC VENTURES
In their own words: "A tech accelerator on a mission to support game-changing founding teams who are building the solutions and businesses of tomorrow. From our hyper-local base in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle we accelerate early-stage tech businesses with global ambition”
Sector: A broad variety of startups accepted
Offer includes: 4-month cohort programme, including £50,000 investment, weekly workshops, VC investor meetings, and mentorship
Location: Liverpool
DISH ACCELERATOR
In their own words: “Designed to give cyber startups and entrepreneurs everything they need to grow and succeed.”
Sector: Cybersecurity startups based in Greater Manchester or those looking to set up operations there and who can attend the programme in person, up to two days per week
Offer includes: Free workspace, business masterclasses, 1:1 mentoring, pitch and investor readiness coaching, industry introductions and events
Location: Manchester
NATWEST ACCELERATOR
In their own words: “The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level. If you’re a business with ambitions to expand, the NatWest Accelerator programme could help. You may be looking to build your team, venture into new markets or seeking further investment.”
Sector: A broad variety of startups accepted
Offer includes: One-to-one coaching, thought leadership and events, peer network, access to expert, use of co-working space
Location: Manchester
ZEBOX ACCELERATE
In their own words: “A network of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and ecosystem experts paving new paths toward sustainability starting with the supply chain.”
Sector: Startups that have relevance to supply chains and sustainability
Offer includes: ZEBOX’s Accelerate programme offers the most mature startups personalised support focused on generating business opportunities with ZEBOX industry partners
Location: Manchester
Accelerators further afield that are worth considering include:
Y COMBINATOR
Globally respected programme that has nurtured companies like Stripe, Airbnb, Twitch, and Reddit. Manchester startup Versori took part in its Winter 2023 cohort.
In their own words: “We give startups a disproportionate advantage... We help founders make something people want and the results speak for themselves.”
Sector: A broad variety of startups accepted from across the world
Offer includes: 3-month on-site programme in San Francisco. $500,000 investment for a 7% stake in your startup
Location: San Francisco
TECHSTARS
Another internationally respected brand that helped shape the accelerator format. Techstars offers programmes around the world, as well as a remote programme. Manchester startup Collctiv took part in its New York programme in 2022.
In their own words:“As one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world, our portfolio is as diversified as our 8,600 founders are unique... We support many of the world’s best entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentoring, finding customers, hiring talent, choosing the right infrastructure, and much more!”
Sector: A broad variety of startups accepted from across the world
Offer includes: 3-month programme divided into ‘Grow Your Network’, ‘Execute’, and ‘Fundraising Strategy & Demo Day’ sections. Up to $120,000 investment
Location: Many around the world, plus remote
Support Programmes
Beyond accelerators and incubators, startups have access to a range of other support programs designed to cater to their unique needs.
Other forms of support for early stage startups:
FUND HER NORTH
In their own words: “A Northern-based, volunteer collective of over 40 women (in VC’s, funding organisations and angel groups), with a combined investment power of over £1.2 billion... We’ve come together to improve access to funding for female-led businesses in the North of England through start-up, scale up and exit.”
Offer includes: “We tailor support and introductions based on stage of development and in-depth understanding of the requirements of the business and its leaders.”
Location: North of England
TURING INNOVATION CATALYST MANCHESTER
In their own words: “AI is the world’s fastest growing deep digital tech sector. Its infinite possibilities are set to transform our collective future, and right now you can get involved as part of Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester. Set to launch in 2023, our focus will be on commercialising and accelerating AI, deep digital tech, and digital trust technologies.”
Offer includes: AI startup accelerator, skills programmes, PhD venture building programme, collaborative R&D programme
Location: Manchester
FOUNDER FUNDING GROUPS
In their own words: “Peer-to-peer support and learning for founders raising funding rounds. Founders will help each other to close their rounds faster and on the best possible terms by sharing up to date market intelligence, real life experiences, best practice and moral support.”
Offer includes: Informal group meetings to share experiences and advice. For founders raising between £100,000 and £1 million
Location: Manchester and Sheffield
Contact: Rupert Wingate-Saul
Manchester Digital's Startup Activator is a new programme designed to support businesses from their idea stage to early traction. Join the community for exclusive access to events, resources and community channels.