Connect

Your innovation journey

Mentoring Our Expert Mentor Network is designed to address the specific needs of early-stage founders and their teams. This is done by building an inspirational global network of founders, specialists and experts that will bring unique insights and experiences to inspire and guide the next generation of entrepreneurial talent being nurtured across our Manchester Innovation Ecosystem. Through the network, we facilitate connection and offer a variety of support, from focussed one-to-one guidance to speed networking events, pitch events to fireside chats and much more. Become a mentor

Collaborate through partnership

By working collaboratively with individuals, businesses and organisations, together we can draw upon Manchester's pioneering spirit and heritage to inspire, accelerate and deliver meaningful impact and innovations that benefit society and the environment.

Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange brings world-leading academic excellence into real-world impact by bringing people together to make and do things that matter.

This collaboration can include:

Facilities use
Consultancy
Small projects including feasibility studies
Medium projects including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Large projects including Prosperity Partnerships and strategic partnerships

Exploiting University owned IP

The Innovation Factory works to support academics, researchers and postgraduate researchers to commercialise their innovations. This can be through targeted skills-building workshops, signposting to innovation-boosting programmes or by closely working with the academic team to ensure they make the best decisions for their situation.

The Innovation Factory also has specially curated teams of industry, operational, intellectual (IP), business development, financial, legal and marketing experts, ensuring that they can provide innovators with a tailored journey into commercialisation.

Find out more about transforming an idea into reality, who to contact, or hear about funding opportunities such as Ideas with Impact through the Innovation Factory.

Build your own enterprise The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is the focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching, learning and startup support at the University of Manchester with a focus on enabling students and graduates to develop entrepreneurial thinking for thriving in any setting. Entrepreneurship education is key to spotting opportunities and driving innovation. No matter your field of study, we aim to equip you with the entrepreneurial skills and experiences to excel in your career or launch your own venture. Our vision is to create an ecosystem that nurtures innovators and fosters start-ups, driving global impact. From first-year undergraduates to advanced researchers, they support every stage of your journey to create your future and turn your ideas into reality, adding value to your experience of being part of the University. Reach out for further information.

Philanthropic donations Thanks to philanthropy we welcome the brightest minds, nurture tomorrow’s talent from across the globe and pursue the boldest explorations. We are grateful for every gift we receive – no matter what its size. Significant gifts play a particularly important role in our work to create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future. If you are interested in supporting our priorities, then please get in touch with the team to discuss your philanthropic goals and ambitions.

The Renold Innovation Hub The opening of the Renold Innovation Hub marks the initial phase of Sister's ambitious plan to transform the University's former North Campus into a welcoming and accessible innovation district.

We are looking for researchers and entrepreneurs to join our ecosystem. If you are developing and testing new ideas with a view to growing them into successful commercial businesses, get in touch today.

All our innovators will have access to no- or low-cost coworking spaces or small office suites, allowing them to work alongside, engage and collaborate with early-stage start-ups and spin-outs that are on a similar growth journey, as well as other Sister partners. Additionally, they'll get access to support to help accelerate their growth, including opportunities for training and mentorship, and access to events, expert networks, investors and funders.

Several University catalyst programmes and innovation initiatives will also have their home at the Renold Innovation Hub, including the Turing Innovation Catalyst, the Christabel Pankhurst Institute, and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst.

Tomorrow Labs As home to the UK's largest collection of science and engineering facilities, we’ve invested over £1 billion in the past decade to offer you the critical equipment and expertise needed to drive innovation. Whether you're advancing pharmaceutical production, reducing carbon emissions, or developing next-generation materials, quantum, or AI technologies, we’ll connect you with the right resources to achieve your research and development goals. Explore our Tomorrow Labs brochure to learn how you can access our facilities and help engineer a better future.

Unit M Unit M partners with startups, scale ups and industry in flexible ways to drive innovation in our region and globally, as an immediate step to solve the UK's growth and productivity challenge. Unit M lies at the heart of the University's ambition to power an inclusive economy. It addresses all aspects of the innovation challenge - from R&D through to innovation adoption through to talent and skills - by making the world leading innovation assets and talents of the University more accessible to all. Activity encompasses powering the start-up and scale-up community, catalysing industry clusters, leading future skills provision, strengthening the University's partnerships within the region, and telling Manchester's innovation story.

Unlock opportunities and drive your ideas with the Innovation Academy