Equity and Loan fund in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is accelerating its position as a powerhouse of innovative industry with the launch of a £10 million investment fund dedicated to accelerating growth within the region’s advanced manufacturing and materials sector. This fund represents a strategic, collaborative effort to unlock innovation, scale ambitious organisations, and strengthen the region’s competitive edge on a national and global stage.

What the fund aims to achieve
– Accelerate high-potential companies: Targeted investment to help ambitious startups and established firms escalate product development, bring novel processes to market, and accelerate revenue growth.
– Strengthen supply chains: By supporting diverse, resilient supply chains, the fund seeks to reduce risks and improve efficiency across the manufacturing ecosystem.
– Drive innovation in materials and processes: Funding will prioritise transformative materials, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, advanced coatings, and other cutting-edge capabilities that redefine performance and sustainability.
– Create high-quality jobs: As companies scale, the fund aims to generate skilled employment opportunities across engineering, design, and manufacturing roles, contributing to local economic resilience.
– Promote regional collaboration: The fund encourages partnerships among academia, industry, and public authorities to maximise knowledge transfer, pilot programmes, and market access.

Why Greater Manchester and why now
Greater Manchester has long been recognised for its engineering heritage, world-class universities, and a dense network of manufacturing firms. The region’s strategic emphasis on innovation-led growth, combined with a proactive business support landscape and strong public-private partnerships, provides an ideal environment for sustaining momentum in advanced manufacturing and materials. The £10 million fund aligns with broader economic strategies to diversify the industrial base, improve productivity, and champion sustainable, high-value manufacturing activities.

How the fund will operate
– Investment criteria: The fund will prioritise companies that demonstrate clear potential for scalable growth, strong management teams, intellectual property or process differentiation, and potential positive regional impact. Preference will be given to projects with clear milestones, measurable outcomes, and strong alignment with sustainability and decarbonisation goals.
– Stages and instruments: A blend of equity, quasi-equity, and non-dilutive grants or repayable programmes may be employed to suit different company needs and stages. A rigorous due diligence process will assess commercial viability, technical feasibility, and environmental, social, and governance considerations.
– Milestones and measurement: Success will be tracked through defined milestones such as prototype development, customer pilots, contract wins, job creation, and revenue growth. Regular progress reviews will ensure accountability and course correction where necessary.
– Governance and oversight: The fund will operate under a transparent governance framework with representation from industry, academia, and local government. Independent monitoring and reporting will provide visibility into impact and value for money.

The broader impact
– Regional competitiveness: By accelerating the growth of advanced manufacturing and materials firms, the fund will contribute to a stronger, more dynamic economy in Greater Manchester, enhancing export potential and attracting investment.
– Skills and talent development: Beyond financial support, beneficiaries can expect access to mentoring, collaborative research opportunities, and pathways to graduate and apprentice roles, strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.
– Sustainability and decarbonisation: Investments will prioritise technologies that improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and support the transition to lower-carbon production methods, helping meet climate targets while enhancing performance.

What to expect next
– Programme announcements: The administering body will publish application windows and guidance to help eligible companies prepare compelling proposals.
– Support ecosystem coordination: Local universities, business growth hubs, and industry networks will coordinate to provide readiness support, technical expertise, and market access opportunities for fund beneficiaries.
– Long-term vision: The fund is positioned as a catalytic instrument, designed to create enduring value by transforming ideas into commercially viable solutions that strengthen Greater Manchester’s position as a centre of advanced manufacturing excellence.

If you’re part of a company operating in or adjacent to the advanced manufacturing and materials sector in Greater Manchester, stay tuned for forthcoming details on eligibility, application timelines, and the supports available. This investment signals a clear commitment to innovation-led growth and to the region’s enduring strength in high-value manufacturing.

June 26, 2026 at 10:55AM
大曼彻斯特的股权与贷款基金
https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/equity-and-loan-fund-in-greater-manchester
1000万英镑投资基金，旨在支持大曼彻斯特地区先进制造和材料领域企业的增长。

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