Collaboration between business and local civic leaders has driven the most significant urban renewal in recent years. These shared principles of innovation, ambition, and social progress have endured for over 200 years, tracing back to the Industrial Revolution.

If you’re a scale-up seeking strategic expansion, Greater Manchester offers more than just a location for you.

For scale-ups, this means an environment where every stage of business growth is supported, through the likes of MIDAS – the official inward investment agency for Greater Manchester, which offers free support for businesses looking to expand or start up in the city-region.

The city-region is built on a foundation of collaboration, between businesses such as The Growth Company and The Greater Manchester Business Board, academic institutions such as the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and local government. This breaks down traditional barriers and creates opportunities for innovation and expansion for businesses, which other cities across the UK and worldwide may not be able to replicate.

The fundamental elements that make this possible, include:🔗

The economic metrics tell a compelling story of potential. With £78.7 billion (GVA) - the largest outside London - and 20% lower operating costs compared to the capital, the city-region offers significant advantages for startup and scale-up businesses.

The population of 2.8 million includes over 1.8 million working-age residents and 121,000 students across five universities, with over 36,000 studying STEM subjects and notably, 50% of graduates choosing to build their careers in the city-region. This means the city-region hosts a maturity of talent already in the market and a pipeline of future talent for businesses in Greater Manchester.

Devolution powers enable organisations to recruit and retain key talent with the skills defined by employers and sectors, which will benefit your business when looking to scale up operations or build new teams.

An integrated technical-education city region means Greater Manchester can respond to skills demand, creating more opportunities for young people and providing the necessary talent locally for businesses in the core sectors of advanced manufacturing, digital, health and life sciences, net zero, creative, media, and financial services.

The city-region is moving towards a London-style integrated transport system, the Bee Network, which will improve the way people get around the city. From ensuring talent can easily access opportunities across the region, to better connections with our neighbouring cities, transport is a key enabler for your growth.

Offering businesses free comprehensive, confidential support from initial enquiry through to establishment and growth, MIDAS saves companies both time and money while de-risking their investment decisions.

Let MIDAS support you with in-depth market intelligence, introduction to key networks and decision-makers, assistance with property solutions, ongoing aftercare and expansion support and guidance on accessing local government support. MIDAS is here to help as an extension of your team, acting for you.

Sector Strengths🔗

Creative, Digital and Tech🔗

The creative, digital and tech landscape is equally as dynamic.

Greater Manchester is the UK’s number one regional tech city and one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech hubs, competing with other much larger European capital cities. Its £5.5 billion digital economy is set to reach £7 billion by 2029, powered by 10,000 digital and tech businesses including six unicorns.

A city built on a legacy of storytelling, Manchester is a powerhouse for creative technology, blending digital innovation with world-class media and production. From MediaCity - home to the BBC, ITV, and a thriving immersive tech sector—to cutting-edge gaming, VFX, and content creation studios, the region is shaping the future of entertainment, design, and digital experiences.

Financial, Professional and Business Services🔗

Meanwhile, the financial and professional services showcase remarkable depth. As the UK's largest regional fintech ecosystem, Greater Manchester hosts 250 firms and 311,000 sector employees.

The city-region has already established itself as the largest financial centre outside London and is now at the forefront of Financial Services Digital Disruption, Fintech and Cyber.

Major international firms including Barclays, HSBC, BNY, Deloitte, EY, Starling, KPMG, Vanguard, Alvarez and Marsall, PWC and JPMorgan have established significant operations in the city-region.

Advanced Manufacturing🔗

Greater Manchester represents a multisector powerhouse that seamlessly integrates the key sectors.

Including the advanced manufacturing sector which pushes technological boundaries, leveraging sophisticated engineering capabilities that attract global attention, with the innovation spirit that Greater Manchester is known for.

Home to 8,000 manufacturing companies and 114,000 skilled employees, the city-region hosts global leaders like Siemens, BAE Systems, Bosch and home-grown companies such as Kellogg’s, Rolls-Royce and Warburtons.

Global pharmaceutical companies, like Abbott and Hologic Inc, are examples of those drawn to the city region, with The Christie, Europe's largest single-site cancer hospital, five major NHS hospital trusts, red brick universities, and unique city centre science parks symbolising the availability and access to innovation, connection, and medical excellence for businesses.

Homegrown companies are also breaking barriers, including Evergreen Life, Yourgene Health, Apis Assay, and Pharmakure.

As the first UK city to take devolved control of a £6 billion health and social care budget, the region has developed a more streamlined innovation adoption pathway, overseen by Health Innovation Manchester, with the aim of delivering new health and social care solutions at pace and scale, representing a unique opportunity to life science companies.

Quality of Life🔗

Greater Manchester offers a compelling quality of life for those choosing to re-locate or expand. Significantly lower operational costs, a diverse and highly skilled workforce, world-class educational institutions, and a vibrant cultural scene create an environment where businesses can truly thrive.

Extending beyond its business credentials, the city-region's rich cultural heritage has evolved into a cutting-edge creative scene that rivals any global city, making it an equally liveable proposition for many businesses looking to expand or relocate to the region.

The recently opened Aviva Studios, home to Factory International, represents over a £100m investment in the arts and stands as one of the North's most ambitious cultural projects.

The revolutionary venue joins the vibrant Northern Quarter, with its independent galleries and music venues, in offering financial services professionals an exceptional quality of life.

How To Get In Touch and Find Out More?🔗

To find out more about setting up your business or expanding into Greater Manchester visit https://www.investinmanchester.com/ to discover more about the work of MIDAS and how your business can thrive in the dynamic, forward-thinking city-region.