Why Manchester?

In the evolving world of tech, we understand how important it is for you to keep up to speed with what's new, what's on the horizon and what the experts are seeing as the future for the sector. Manchester is the UK's second largest creative, digital and tech hub. Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the first stored program computer, Manchester's pedigree in the digital industries is world famous.

Industry Info



With the UK technology sector growing more than two-and-a-half times faster than the overall economy*, major cities like Manchester are making digital waves in the industry and is establishing itself as one of the best places to be for tech right now.

Manchester is one of the world's leading research centres for computer vision and machine learning and is generating an impressive £3.2 billion Digital Tech Turnover (millions)*.

They are leading the way as one of Europe’s leading hubs for cutting edge digital tech. With 69,837* people now working in the digital industry and an endless supply of talent coming out of the universities, it is an ideal location for businesses to establish themselves in the world of Tech.

*Data sourced from TechNation: Manchester. 

What makes Manchester stand out?

  • Manchester’s tech market is full of promising opportunity for businesses across the board. The city’s core strengths lie in digital services and technology, content production, cyber security, AR/VR, and much more
  • With a 13,665 digital tech business count in 2018, it is an ideal gateway for innovation, growth, and success of any business
  • Manchester is home to a large number of world-class software companies and innovative start-ups
  • Competition in Manchester is low compared with the saturated London market, making it easier for businesses to get ahead in the tech world
  •  Meetups & network events taking place throughout the year making it easier to do business
  • With a steady supply of talented developers coming out of Manchester’s universities and companies training apprentices in a variety of programming languages, many companies use the city as a hub for their R&D, data and software activity 

Manchester's Cyber Influence

Manchester is becoming the hub for organisations specialising in cyber security, helping develop locally founded companies such as Avecto, Hedgehog, NCC Group, and Secarma. Thc city's aim is to cement its status as the place for cyber security innovation and collaboration, this has attracted  a variety of companies expanding into Manchester including global brands Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. 

Manchester's Cyber Initiatives

In efforts to establish itself as one of the best cities worldwide for developing and harnessing digital technology, Manchester is enforcing a number of initiatives to build on their reputation as a leading centre of information security innovation and research. This strategies consist of:

Greater Manchester Cyber Innovation Centre

A new £10m programme to enable the growth of cyber security organisations within the area, supplying collaborative space in which companies, universities and governments can share best practice in confronting cyber threats.  

Cyber Foundry


A £6m ERDF funded initiative involving the collaboration of four north west universities. The objective is the encourage the involvement between a variety businesses on cyber security innovation research. This will be run out of the Greater Manchester Cyber Innovation Centre.

Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have devoted a unit to fight cyber crime, made up of industry experts and a specialist software developer. The unit has collaborated with universities, businesses and the community in the efforts to protect the region from cyber attacks.

Greater Manchester Cyber Advisory Group

This group has been formed to guarantee that the economic growth in regards to cyber security is maximised in Greater Manchester and the wider North, and that cyber resilience within in the city is heightened. It will discover the latest opportunities and develop them, and connect relevant activities within Manchester's digital portfolio and outside.