GM Business Growth Hub

GM Business Growth Hub Welcome to the Business Growth Hub. Find out more about how we can grow your business. Our support Our support is all fully-funded, meaning no cost to you.

📣 It's time for our Fri Round-Up.The stormy weather 🌧️ has reminded us that this week marked the end of summer. However,...
04/09/2026

📣 It's time for our Fri Round-Up.

The stormy weather 🌧️ has reminded us that this week marked the end of summer. However, none of that stopped our high-energy colleagues.💪

✨ Whatever the weather, Hub team members continued to make a positive impact across Greater Manchester.

Here's a snapshot of some of the fantastic activity the Hub supported. 👇

🏳️‍🌈 Nick Shepherd joined colleagues from across The Growth CompanyGrowth Company at this year's Manchester Village Pride, celebrating diversity, inclusion and community. A fantastic day to remember the importance of creating spaces where everyone can thrive. Growth Company colleagues shared a float with Manchester Central and Sterling Event Group Ltd

🤝 Loide Costa was out in Bury this week, connecting with businesses in Radcliffe and showcasing the support available to help firms grow, innovate and overcome challenges. A great example of local business support in action.

🎥 Jack Boardman-Walker stepped in front of the camera to share how an internship helped launch his career and led to his current role. His story highlights the value internships bring to both young people and employers, with the full video coming soon.

☕ Craig Fletcher MCIM Fletcher attended the latest Shout Connect networking event GOLF CLUB, highlighted the power of collaboration, community-led organisations and local business networks. Then onto Get-Together-After-Serving CIC for a well earned coffee.

🚀 Dace Dimza-Jones and Heather Waters joined partners, founders and support organisations at the NatWest Investment Accelerator event in Spinningfields. The event provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships and explore new ways to support ambitious businesses.

🎨 Dunstan Carter and Vikki Bradbury joined Salford's monthly Creative Meet-Up at Monton's Wandering Palate. The event brought together creatives, freelancers and business owners to spark new ideas, connections and collaborations.

💡 Marcos Villeda Hernandez represented the team at the hosted by The University of Salford Centre-for-Sustainable-Innovation (CSI). The event brought together researchers, innovators and industry leaders to explore the future of collaboration and innovation across the region.

🌟That's a wrap! 📚 Looking ahead, World Literacy Day and the are coming up, so we'll have plenty more highlights to share next week.

Enjoy your weekend!

03/09/2026

Ready to take your business to the next level? 📈

This video gives you a flavour of Spark to Scale, GM Business Growth Hub’s fully funded programme for ambitious Greater Manchester businesses looking to grow sustainably.

Want to learn more?

To discover how the programme works and whether it’s right for your business, we’re teaming up with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for a free online information session on 25 September, 12pm to 1pm.

📍 Bolton | October 2026

📍 Stockport | January 2027

🎁 Everyone attending the online event can also claim a 10% discount on FSB membership, including access to tax advice, HR support, legal guidance and a range of other business benefits.

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards scaling or already have international ambitions, GM Business Growth Hub offers support at every stage of the growth journey.

🚀 Book your place via the link in our bio. You’ll also find details of our Ascend Scale Up and International Scale Up programmes, with new cohorts launching in 2027 for ambitious businesses looking to accelerate growth.

03/09/2026

Ready to scale your business? 🚀

What does the next stage of growth look like for your business?

This video introduces Spark to Scale, GM Business Growth Hub’s fully funded programme designed to help ambitious Greater Manchester businesses build the foundations for sustainable growth.

To discover how the programme works and whether it’s right for your business, we’re teaming up with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for a free online information session on 25 September, 12pm to 1pm.

We’ll cover:

✔ What the programme includes
✔ Who it’s aimed at
✔ The application process
✔ Upcoming cohorts in Bolton and Stockport
✔ The expert support, mentoring and peer learning available

🎁 Everyone attending the online event can also claim a 10% discount on FSB membership, including access to tax advice, HR support, legal guidance and a range of other business benefits.

🎟️ Register here: https://events.fsb.org.uk/en/8d2bI2X7/g/fJqTd8nh8e/spark-to-scale-ready-to-take-your-business-to-the-next-level-3aJ8PzgYj/overview

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards scaling or already have international ambitions, GM Business Growth Hub offers support at every stage of the growth journey. Alongside Spark to Scale, our popular Ascend Scale Up and International Scale Up programmes will launch new cohorts in 2027 for ambitious businesses looking to accelerate growth. Find out more via the programmes section of our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/GM_Business_Growth_Hub

From an ambitious climate-tech start-up to a business forecasting £11.5m in sales over the next three years 🚀Founded by ...
02/09/2026

From an ambitious climate-tech start-up to a business forecasting £11.5m in sales over the next three years 🚀

Founded by former energy policy adviser Alex Clarke, Black Bull Biochar is helping industries cut emissions through renewable heat and carbon removal technologies, while creating highly skilled green jobs across Greater Manchester.

Since launching in 2021, the company has secured partnerships with organisations including Arla and Avara Foods, featured in PwC UK's Net Zero Future50, and become one of the first businesses in the UK to achieve European Biochar Certificate (EBC) certification.

Read more about their story on our website 👇

https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/successes/black-bull-biochar/

As we near the close of the application window for the 2027 King's Awards for Enterprise, we're ending our winner spotli...
01/09/2026

As we near the close of the application window for the 2027 King's Awards for Enterprise, we're ending our winner spotlight series by celebrating another remarkable Greater Manchester success story.

Zoe Brimelow, Brand Director and Co-Owner of DuoUK, is pictured here alongside entrepreneur Sara Davies and His Majesty The King at the King's Awards reception at Windsor Castle.

DUO received a King's Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its DuoOptipac mailing bag in 2023.

When we spoke to Zoe, she reflected on the journey behind the award-winning innovation. After years of working closely with customers, testing ideas and refining the design, seeing DuoOptipac recognised at the highest level was an incredibly proud moment for the whole team. What started as an idea to solve a fulfilment challenge has since gone on to achieve remarkable international success. Today, the trends that inspired the original innovation are only becoming more relevant as parcel lockers, self-service collection and out-of-home delivery continue to grow.

Reflecting on the impact of winning, Zoe said:

"The King's Award immediately gave Duo a level of credibility and visibility that opened new doors, particularly internationally."

Stories like DUO's demonstrate why the King's Awards matter. They celebrate the innovation, ambition and entrepreneurial talent that exists across Greater Manchester, while providing businesses with a powerful platform to showcase British innovation, build credibility and open doors to opportunities both in the UK and internationally.

We'd like to wish every business applying for the 2027 King's Awards the very best of luck.

Find out more about the King's Award and how we can support with your application on our website: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/support/community/thekingsawards/

🍴 Introducing the Greater Manchester Food and Drink NetworkGM Business Growth Hub is excited to launch a brand-new flags...
01/09/2026

🍴 Introducing the Greater Manchester Food and Drink Network

GM Business Growth Hub is excited to launch a brand-new flagship network dedicated to bringing together the best of Greater Manchester's food and drink manufacturing sector - and this first event comes with a bonus: a direct conversation about breaking into the Australian market.

Join them for the first event in a twice-yearly series and connect with manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders from across the region. You'll gain valuable insights, discover the latest trends shaping the sector, and take away practical ideas to help your business grow.

Hear from Firstplay Dietary Foods - who will share how focusing on a specialist niche has driven sustained growth and competitive advantage - and Mark Holmes of Smurfit Westrock, who will explore how strategic packaging decisions can boost customer experience, strengthen brands and improve profitability. Plus, Dan Helm from Australian International Foods Importer: British Provender, who will share genuine on-the-ground expertise and valuable insights into the opportunities available to food and drink manufacturers looking to enter the Australian market.

Selected businesses will also have the opportunity to pitch their products and services to the audience, while an interactive workshop will provide actionable insights you can implement straight away.

One event. One industry. Endless opportunities.

🔗 Click here and secure your place today: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/greater-manchester-food-and-drink-network/

📢 We're pleased to be sponsoring SCALE Manchester 2026.On 25 November, founders, scale-ups, investors and business leade...
29/08/2026

📢 We're pleased to be sponsoring SCALE Manchester 2026.

On 25 November, founders, scale-ups, investors and business leaders will come together at Freight Island for a day focused on the opportunities and challenges of growth.

As an organisation committed to helping Greater Manchester businesses start, grow and succeed, we're proud to support an event that brings together the people, expertise and connections that can help businesses take their next step.

If you're part of a growing business and want to hear from experienced founders, connect with potential partners and investors, and gain fresh insights into scaling successfully, we'd encourage you to take a look.

Book here: https://scaleevents.zohobackstage.eu/SCALEManchester2026 #/

🎟️ Use discount code GMBGH20 for 20% off tickets.

It's been another busy week across Greater Manchester, with colleagues supporting businesses, partners and communities. ...
28/08/2026

It's been another busy week across Greater Manchester, with colleagues supporting businesses, partners and communities. As Manchester gears up for Pride weekend, many will also be paying tribute to Dolly Parton, whose larger-than-life personality touched generations. We're sure there'll be plenty of Dolly-inspired looks on display as the celebrations get underway.

🔎 Janine Smith and the Senior Leadership Team swapped their usual monthly management meeting for a treasure hunt around Manchester city centre. Exploring some of the city's best-known landmarks gave colleagues the chance to step away from their desks, spend time together in a different setting and enjoy plenty of laughs while solving clues along the way.

🍽️ Mark Nelson, Oliver Whitty, Amir Shafiq and Nick Shepherd were at the launch of this year's Bolton Food and Drink Festival alongside colleagues from Invest Manchester and Marketing Manchester. Now in its 21st year, the four-day festival brings together local businesses, food lovers and visitors from across the region, with GM Business Growth Hub proud to be one of the event's supporters. Mark even managed to get a photo with celebrity chef James Martin.

🌈 Ahead of Manchester Pride, Nick was soaking up the atmosphere in the Village as preparations got underway. The Growth Company and Manchester Central are joining together in the parade this year, so keep an eye out for our float.

🏢 Nick also joined Greater Manchester Chamber's housewarming event at its new home in The Tootal Buildings. Alongside businesses and partners from across the city-region, he helped celebrate the launch of The Hive, a new workspace designed to bring people together to connect, collaborate and do business. As fellow residents of The Tootal Buildings, we're looking forward to welcoming the Chamber as our new neighbours.

🚶 Mandy Clark joined the latest FubHub netwalk in Leigh, catching up with local business owners and making new connections while exploring the area. The relaxed format provided plenty of opportunities for conversation and relationship-building away from the usual networking environment.

🎓 Dunstan Carter visited FutureSkills at MediaCity to see how students are being prepared for careers in the digital, creative and media sectors. He was particularly impressed by the organisation's strong links with employers through mentoring, placements and industry projects.

🗓️ We have plenty of events and workshops coming up. Check out our schedule here: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/

📰 For the latest business news from across Greater Manchester, visit: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/news/

As we head into the bank holiday weekend, we hope everyone gets the chance to enjoy a well-earned break. Whether you're heading to Pride, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival or somewhere else entirely, we hope you can leave the 9 to 5 behind for a few days…hit it Dolly.

💸 Could your business benefit from extra funding?There are more funding opportunities out there than you might think, fr...
27/08/2026

💸 Could your business benefit from extra funding?

There are more funding opportunities out there than you might think, from grants and loans to investment, but finding the right ones can take time.

We've done the searching for you and pulled together a selection of upcoming funding opportunities for Greater Manchester businesses, all in one place, so you can easily see what's available and find the right fit for your business.

Take a look at our latest funding article below 👇
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/resources/funding-and-investment-roundup-for-greater-manchester-businesses/

🍂 A new season is the perfect time to invest in your leadership.Our Pure Leadership workshops are designed to help Great...
27/08/2026

🍂 A new season is the perfect time to invest in your leadership.

Our Pure Leadership workshops are designed to help Greater Manchester leaders build the confidence, skills and mindset needed to lead themselves, their teams, their organisations, and change more effectively.

📅 08 Oct | Leading Self
📅 29 Oct | Leading Organisation
📅 12 Nov | Leading People
📅 03 Dec | Leading Change
📍 Manchester City Centre

Join a session that suits your development goals, or attend the full series for a complete leadership journey.

🔗 Register now: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/pure-leadership-2026/

Address

Lee House, 90 Great Bridgewater Street
Manchester
M15JW

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441613593050

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