Greater Manchester Combined Authority has launched a new Innovation Ecosystem Navigation Service that will support innovation and growth within the city region’s ecosystem.
The service will be delivered through collaboration between Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub and the Combined Authority, with funding also coming from allocated UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment. Through the new programme, local businesses will be connected with resources that support commercialisation, as well as university expertise and research and development resources to ensure that innovation can continue.
By integrating the existing innovation ecosystem, whilst also making it more accessible, this work supports the Combined Authority’s Greater Manchester Innovation Plan. The Innovation Plan will focus on supporting long-term economic growth, led by innovation, that can further commercialisation, technology, and services around Greater Manchester.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Lead for Economy at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, commented:
“Supporting innovation is crucial to the success of Levelling Up the country and has been central to the evolution of Greater Manchester.
“We have a proud history of innovation from the world’s first passenger railway to the world’s first stored-program electronic computer.
“This progressive spirit is mirrored in this new service, which will provide a helping hand to those who need support navigating our expert yet extensive innovation ecosystem and its wide range of nationally and internationally leading resources.
“Helping our businesses to access relevant support through advice, guidance and grants in this way will be a powerful tool for growth as innovation and entrepreneurialism will create high-quality jobs and opportunities for those who live and work here.”
All ten boroughs across the region will see ‘local innovation connectors’ embedded to work alongside local authorities as they identify and engage with businesses that have innovative ideas. Following this, specialists in commercialisation will offer a support package that includes access to industry leaders, higher education and its facilities, as well as a tailored plan on how products and services can go to market.
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