Creative, Digital & Technology COME CREATE MANCHESTER: THE FUTURE COME CREATE THE FUTURE Manchester: The Original Modern City Manchester has been creating The city is where the Today, the region is home to the future for over 250 years. atom was split, the first stored- giants of both creativity and The original modern city; program computer built, technology who collaborate United Kingdom birthplace of the Industrial where the world’s strongest to create the next wave of Revolution, ambition, creativity 2D material, graphene, was innovation. and pioneering new ways isolated and where 25 Nobel of working are part of the Laureates have been produced. region’s DNA.

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An economic powerhouse with the companies valued at or near $1 billion The city’s global connectivity, collaborative UK’s fastest growing regional economy, such as AO.com, Boohoo.com Missguided, hubs, a roster of meet-ups and networking Manchester Manchester has developed a strong to global players BBC, Google, IBM, events, talent pool, cost-effectiveness and reputation as a competitive place to do Thoughtworks and Cisco. These companies business support offer make Manchester business and is fast becoming a magnet sit side-by-side in our creative and digital the place for companies looking to for attracting global talent, as well as the clusters, incubators and co-working spaces, innovative and drive the future of location of choice, for savvy investors. where they converge, collaborate and drive creativity and technology. London innovation. This is complemented by four The UK’s largest creative, digital and You can expect great things from the world’s leading universities with a proven track technology cluster outside London, original modern city and its people. So why record for collaborating with industry on Manchester has a thriving community of not join us here, and come create the future. ground-breaking R&D in areas from health businesses, from start-ups and home-grown to data and cloud computing. 250 years in the making 2017 Andy Burnham appointed Manchester has always been ahead of the game, shaping and creating the world as we know it. 2012 first Manchester Mayor. 2012 Olympics world’s first Sets out vision for 2004 interactive tapeless sporting event Manchester becoming the Graphene isolated by broadcast from MediaCityUK world’s smartest city 1803 1880 1948 Professors Andre Geim Atomic Theory First submarine First stored program and Kostya Novoselov published by John launched, designed by computer, “Baby” is at the University of 2010 2015 Dalton, a precursor to Reverend George Garrett developed at The University Manchester, world’s Nobel Prize for Physics awarded all modern chemistry of Manchester first 2D material National Graphene Institute to graphene scientists, the city’s opens pioneering research 1853 1917 24th and 25th Nobel Laureates into the ground-breaking Microphotography Atom is split technology and micro lms by Ernest Surgeons in Manchester invented by John Rutherford perform the world’s first bionic Benjamin Dancer at The eye implant in a patient University of Manchester

2000 1830 2011 2018 Transitive produce MediaCityUK, Europe’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre First passenger railway started 1904 Rosetta, a market game- largest purpose-built opens heralding the start of a world of operating from purpose-built 1783 Rolls meets Royce at the Midland changer and one of Apple digital and media hub is possibilities for graphene in commercial station at Liverpool Road First steam power Hotel and set up company together and IBM’s most important awarded the status of the applications, particularly technology mill set up by Richard software tools world’s fIrst sustainable Arkwright paving the 1978 community by BREEAM way for mass production First test-tube baby, techniques Louise Brown, is born 2005 3D printer of human in Manchester tissue developed at the University of Manchester Supporting creativity Best city for international connectivity outside of London with DIRECT FLIGHTS TO OVER 200 DESTINATIONS

Networking infrastructure required to meet the needs of Home to the Population of 24,000 STUDENTS 2.8MILLION enrolled on creative, technology, UK’S BANDWIDTH-HUNGRY engineering and maths courses Manchester attracted STRONGEST PEOPLE in Manchester CREATIVE AND TECH 24,000 INTERNET COMPANIES NEW WORKERS EXCHANGE from the South East in 2015 POINT (IXP) Operational business costs are

ADDITIONAL HOME TO UP TO 84,575 people 8,000 £23.8M employed in being invested to enhance outside of 40% creative CREATIVE AND TECH fibre connectivity & tech industries COMPANIES London LOWER than London

WORKFORCE Home to the world-renowned UNIVERSITY OF OF 6 MILLION 60 DIRECT TRAINS NEARLY 1,600 £62.8 BILLION MANCHESTER’S SCHOOL within an hour’s tech start-ups formed commute A DAY TO LONDON in Manchester in 2016 local economy OF COMPUTER SCIENCE with a journey time of just over 2 hours A Thriving Sector

Manchester’s creative, digital and technology sector employs E-commerce Digital Health 84,575 people across 8,000 companies which contribute to the In recent years the city has seen a FinTech Manchester is a recognised leader in phenomenal growth in the number of Manchester is a major financial and region’s £62.8 billon economy. They work across areas such as: digital health. It is home to world’s first online retailers and Manchester is home to professional services hub, employing large-scale, real world clinical trial, one many high growth e-commerce companies over 266,900 people who work at firms Software and Data of only four Health eResearch Centres such as Kitbag (Fanatics), Missguided, like BNY Mellon, Cooperative Bank, and Since the development of the Small- that make up the UK’s Farr Institute, Boohoo.com, Rentalcars.com and AO.com, RBS. This provides companies not only Scale Experimental Machine (Baby) England’s first integrated e-enabled some of which are unicorns. The sector with excellent access to clients, but the and Ferranti Mark 1, the world’s first health trust and Europe’s flagship is further complemented by the growth expertise needed to help their business commercial computer, Manchester has Connected Health Ecosystem. The in the mobile payments industry within grow. continued to pioneer when it comes to Ecosystem enables early adoption of the city, with global companies such as computer science, software programming connected health solutions in the city This mix of financial services and tech WorldPay, and Barclays all leading the way and development. region. This is complemented by a know-how has resulted in a growing in mobile payments. unique innovation system that supports cluster of FinTech businesses; from well- The region is home to a large number businesses to work alongside NHS Manchester has the greatest concentration established companies supporting the of world-class software companies and partners to accelerate new products into of e-commerce start-ups than anywhere financial services and retail/e-commerce innovative start-ups. The University the NHS market place. Manchester also else in the UK. This combined with access sectors, to smaller firms developing novel of Manchester’s School of Computer facilitates stage-gate deployments and to specialists with skills in front and solutions and disrupting current business Science is renowned as a world-class shared risk models. back-end development, data analytics and models. Companies such as Adyen, Ebury, centre of excellence in computing and marketing and PR, as well as usability labs VST Enterprises, Hello Soda and Access research. With a steady supply of talented It is the only UK city region to integrate for platform and content testing that are Pay across a range of areas including developers coming out of Manchester’s health and social care and have open to the public, make Manchester the harnessing big data to assess customer risk, universities and companies training devolved control of its healthcare ideal environment to thrive. developing innovative payment solutions, apprentices in a variety of programming budget of £6 billion. This provides developing software for cyber security, languages, many companies such as the unique opportunities to improve patient The city’s central location and multi-modal cloud computing and mobile applications. BBC, IBM and CISCO use the city as outcomes, test new integrated delivery transport infrastructure means it easy Manchester is also home to a number of peer- a hub for their R&D, data and software models, and adopt new systems and to ship goods to consumers, both within to-peer lenders and financial aggregators like activity – both in-house and consultancy. technologies. All of this is underpinned the UK and globally, making Manchester MoneySupermarket.com. Manchester also has strengths in data by an enhanced digital-health a preferred hub for global e-commerce, analytics, cloud computing, cyber security infrastructure that enables world- distribution and logistics companies. and text-mining. leading health-informatics platforms. Cyber Security

Manchester is leading the way in defending assets connected to the World Wide Web from hackers, and the boom in cyber security businesses in the region shows the growing demand for the region’s cyber security expertise.

A Top 20 European Digital City and an These companies are drawn to the region emerging hotspot for companies specialising due to its ability to attract and retain talent in security, Greater Manchester is a and the academic strengths of the region’s recognised destination for cyber security world-leading universities. The University experts including home-grown companies of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan like Avecto, Hedgehog, NCC Group and University and University of Salford, along Secarma and global giants such as Northrop with their regional neighbour Lancaster Grumman, Raytheon and Qinetiq. Our University work together on cyber security to companies provide services such as escrow maximise their contributions to regional and and penetration testing to advising the UK national agendas. government and implementing initiatives to improve the country’s technical cyber capabilities. This is just one of the reasons that led to the UK’s Government Communications HQ (GCHQ), deciding to open a new centre in Manchester. The centre, which will open in 2019, will place the region at the heart of the UK’s security. The centre will use cutting- edge technology to identify and disrupt threats to the UK. Broadcast & media production

Manchester’s been producing shows that have been viewed Animation and Gaming Peaky Blinders We Wish You a Merry Walrus Manchester has been producing some of around the world for over fifty years. When it comes to broadcast the finest animated content for over 40 Life on Mars Wind in the Willows and media production, our heritage is globally renowned. It’s not years; from Cosgrove Hall’s Danger Mouse just limited to TV and film, our companies also produce multi- to The Furchester Hotel, a CBeebies and Sesame Street co-production. Captain America Coronation Street platform experiences, from content for games and mobile apps Some of the world’s most highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes Furchester Hotel to virtual reality. talent have grown within Manchester working for companies such as Mackinnon Broadcast and Media Production & Saunders, Brown Bag Films, TT Games Queer as Folk Victor Frankenstein The city provides a great backdrop for TV and Cloud Imperium. Their work is truly and film. When the world’s leading international and they produce content for Dragons’ Den Danger Mouse production companies want to recreate the likes of Disney, Nickleodeon, Warner Victorian London, seek a stand-in for Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Lego, the BBC Red Dwarf Shameless Manhattan, or require an edgy urban setting, and Sony. MADE IN they look no further than Manchester. The region is HQ for the UK’s largest Iron Lady The Voice A key base for the BBC and ITV, children’s commissioners, the BBC Manchester’s broadcast and media industry (CBeebies and CBBC) located at is supported by the fastest growing MediaCityUK. The city is also home to talent and production facility base in the world-class companies working across UK. Nearly 15% of production resources post-production, visual effects, motion MANCHESTER registered with Creative England are based capture, augmented reality, gaming, app in Manchester, complementing those of the development and digital design. Access to BBC, ITV and large production companies. commissioners, a comprehensive supply The following were supported chain and talented staff, combined with Manchester’s global connectivity, locations, by Manchester-based companies: state-of-the-art facilities, make Manchester talent pool and cost-effectiveness are Corpse Bride Lego Jurassic World the ideal location for companies looking to complemented by the UK’s generous film Fantastic Mr Fox Postman Pat create multimedia, multi-platform content and television tax reliefs, making it the Frankenweenie Pingu for children. perfect place for production. Bob the Builder What Manchester’s doing A city of opportunities Manchester’s ambition to be recognised as one of the best places in the world for developing and harnessing digital technology drives all that we do. That’s why Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has put in place a number of initiatives to improve the lives of our citizens Convergence and collaboration are driving A place of opportunity with tech at the centre. digital innovation and creating a wealth of new The region offers a wealth of opportunities across: ADVANCED MATERIALS: LIFE SCIENCES AND I want Greater opportunities. Manchester’s strengths lie in how GM Connect – Strategic Information Sharing Programme a centre of excellence for HEALTHCARE: the first British Manchester to be our creative and tech clusters collaborate not This programme seeks to provide a common foundation and approach for better information advanced materials and the city to integrate primary and social sharing that enables public service reform. a digital city with only with each other, but across industry sectors. home of the graphene, the world’s care, Manchester offers unique a difference – one It aims to create value and insight across the Manchester city region supporting improved and thinnest strongest and most opportunities to test and adopt with a bold digital Creative and tech companies work alongside the region’s conductive material. Graphene new systems and technologies. more efficient services and improved outcomes for businesses and residents, by breaking down established life sciences, healthcare, financial and professional could potentially be used to create information silos and barriers to sharing data. economy which actively services businesses to create the next wave of innovation. flexible phones, super-high speed MANUFACTURING AND encourages businesses to computing, pliable wearable ENGINEERING: Manchester’s invest and grow, and also technology and much more. advanced manufacturing and one where technology is engineering expertise is well Greater Manchester Cyber Programmes used to deliver positive ADVERTISTING AND DIGITAL known. Local businesses like NXP, The new £10m GM Cyber Innovation Centre will include a collaboration area to share best MEDIA: Manchester is home Thales, Siemens and Ferranti practice to tackle cyber threats, an accelerator hub, influenced by the models already in change, from connecting to the UK’s biggest regional actively work with tech companies operation in Cyber London (CYLON) and Mach37 in the USA. young people with advertising, marketing and to create the future of smart Cyber Foundry, a £6m ERDF funded initiative which will engage with a wide range of businesses opportunities, to tackling design centre. Technologies such manufacturing. on cyber innovation research and will be run out of the GM Cyber Innovation Centre. social problems such as as AdTech and data analytics underpin the continued growth of PUBLIC SERVICES: our homelessness. This bold this sector. innovative public sector vision places the needs of organisations work together to people firmly at the heart of Digital Infrastructure Initiatives FINANCE AND PROFESSIONAL release and bring together data technological innovation. SERVICES: this well-established in one place, making it easier for There are a number of initiatives taking place across Manchester to offer the highest possible fibre sector includes companies such developers to access. to the premises speeds (1Gbps+) to all town, city centres and business parks across the region. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester as BNY Mellon, Lloyds Bank These investments will: and Latham & Watkins, who • Place GM at the forefront in mobile including roll out of next generation 5G technology. collaborate with the region’s • Deliver fixed superfast broadband at minimum speeds of 24Mbps across all GM by 2020. technologists to develop • Deliver ubiquitous Wi-Fi across all city and town centres. innovative ways to do business. Manchester’s Got Talent

With the largest regional travel-to-work catchment area of 7.2 million people within an hour’s commute, businesses can take their pick from a rich talent pool that makes up the city’s creative tech community. Over 82,300 people are employed within the Manchester’s educational institutions KEY PLAYERS sector and the workforce is complemented provide the city with a world-class learning by a constant flow of highly-skilled hub and there are nearly 24,000 students Some of Manchester’s private digital education graduates joining the industry from the city’s enrolled on creative, digital and ICT courses providers include: universities, higher education providers, across our four universities. HYPER ISLAND PLAYGROUND SQUAD UK industry-led apprenticeships and training The University of Salford has a campus a creative business school offer full-time apprenticeships programmes. embedded within MediaCityUK, with over with a consultancy side for games artists, designers specialising in real-world and programmers From code clubs in schools, vocational 1,000 students training alongside industry- of computing include Alan Turing’s industry training using training and university degrees, to leading talent and the University of Bolton programming, Transitive’s market- private education and training providers, also offers degrees in film and media digital technology SHARP FUTURES transforming Rosetta software, the first a creative digital agency and Manchester is nurturing a future pipeline of production. floating point machine, the first transistor coders, software developers, data analysts, EON REALITY social enterprise supporting Manchester Metropolitan University offers computer and the first computer to use VFX specialists to drive innovation. a free 12-month young people into employment first-class courses across a range of areas virtual memory. programme in interactive through apprenticeships, work including digital marketing, PR, computer Employer-led initiatives include IBM’s technology at their experience and volunteering games technology as well as a degree partnership with the University of Entrepreneur School apprenticeship in technology solutions. Its Manchester, Adobe’s collaboration with WHITE ROOM UK Digital Innovation project brings together the University of Salford. Manchester THE JUICE ACADEMY provide training from short- over 90 small businesses, with university Creative Studio and MedicityUK’s University an industry-led social courses and apprenticeships teaching and research to drive forward Technical College are both employer led media apprenticeship, the to large business change digital creativity. schools offering technical and creative first ever in the UK, which programmes and e-learning provides young people The University of Manchester’s School courses for 14-18 year olds. Cloud specialists with the opportunity to of Computer Science has always been a ANS train up to 60 apprentices each year at work with some of the hot-bed of innovation. Its considerable their Cloud Academy, which is the first of its UK’s biggest names contributions to the development type in the UK. Built for Success The Sharp Project is home to over 60 creative digital entrepreneurs and content production companies. Businesses can benefit from flexible spaces; from campus An impressive array of digital and creative hubs can be found across Manchester; from university- membership, which provides a hot-desk, access to events and the Sharp Project backed incubators, science parks and commercial accelerators to collaborative co-working spaces. community, through to offices in iconic converted shipping container and serviced The region is constantly investing in its creative and tech future, and an ever-increasing number of work spaces. Tenants are also able to hire production spaces, studios and a range of high-spec event spaces. The Sharp Project is supported by a first-class technical, accelerators and incubators are springing up across the region. digital and power infrastructure.

Northern Quarter and City Centre Self-starting and self-supporting, the Northern Quarter is a real life story of how hubs grow organically. Home to a vibrant, successful digital and creative community of over 150 companies, the area has long been a breeding ground for creative minds. Madlab, a centre of technical and creative innovation and invention, can be found here. SpacePortX, Rise Manchester and XYZ also provide co- working space where entrepreneurs can collaborate with peers and access skills- based workshops and training. MediaCityUK is Europe’s only purpose-built hub for the creative, media and tech industries. It’s home to an exciting mix of over 250 businesses; from global brands such as the BBC and ITV to fast growth The Corridor is a unique location for businesses seeking a networked, collaborative companies such as Formisimo and Carbon Digital. and creative environment. Home to the UK’s two most applied to universities, it is The site offers access to one of the most advanced the largest academic campus in the UK and the largest clinical academic campus in communications networks in the world and provides Europe. Its 60,000 strong workforce comprises innovative start-ups and successful flexible collaborative workspaces that enable spin-out businesses from the universities as well as multinationals. Location businesses to grow. These include The Landing, of CityVerve’s Smart Cities demonstrator, it’s home to Manchester Science an innovation hub offering office space, tech areas, Partnerships (MSP) a ground-breaking global centre of excellence which provides such as a UX lab, a maker space and social spaces, the right environment for innovation to flourish, and incubator spaces such as The Greenhouse, created for start-ups and SMEs, CISCO’s Mi-IDEA. as well as Tomorrow, and Arrive, two brand-new grow-on spaces for growth-stage companies. A Vibrant Community The Liveable City

Manchester has a proud history KEY PLAYERS Manchester is a global exporter The UK’s fastest growing city offers a of innovation; it is a city committed of culture, TV and film. From cosmopolitan place to live, work and play; MANCHESTER DIGITAL an affordable city with a great mix of to entrepreneurship. The city has a an independent trade world-renowned football teams cultural and social events. It’s no wonder genuinely collaborative attitude that association for digital to a music scene that has Manchester’s been voted one of the world’s is reinventing the way work is done. businesses in Manchester, shaped the musical tastes of most liveable city’s ahead of London, New which brings together York and Rome (The Economist Intelligence Its 82,300 strong creative, digital organisations and individuals generations, Manchester has Unit, 2017) a position that it has held since and tech community is supported from all parts of the industry. an enviable reputation as a 2011, and ranked the 7th most exciting in the world (Time Out 2018). by over 70 local creative, digital MPA great place to live and work. and tech networks. the largest creative industries The city is surrounded by stunning The city has a rich and diverse cultural and countryside and four national parks are association in Europe is theatre scene, with several world-class The community has access to a range of dedicated to bringing people all within an hour’s drive. Manchester is events and meet-ups that take place across museums and art galleries, and a calendar the perfect base to explore the North of from the creative and tech of festivals and events covering everything a variety of venues including digital hubs industries in Manchester closer England, with the vibrant city of Liverpool and co-working spaces. These include from film, literature, music, comedy, food and historic Chester all within easy reach. together through a series of and drink. CoderDojos, business clubs, digital health social and networking events. networks, ecommerce get-togethers, Ladies that UX, the Friday Drinkabout MCR and the PRO.MANCHESTER Lean Conf, to the more social workshops the largest business development with beer and pizza and weekly yoga. organisation in the region, with over 280 companies and There are also a range of support 5,000 individual members from organisations such as Manchester Digital, the financial and professional Creative pro.manchester, MPA and services. A creative pro.manchester OpenData Manchester that host events, committee helps connect these workshops, clinics and conferences for businesses with the city’s digital, Manchester’s active creative, digital and creative and media sector. tech community. Supporting Innovation How Manchester Can Help

Manchester is a city committed to Whether you are an established business Support includes entrepreneurship and there are a number looking to reinvent itself, or a start-up of organisations, initiatives and funding with a disruptive technology that will be programmes designed to support Manchester’s a game changer, Manchester provides creative and digital businesses, and help them the ideal environment to support your to thrive and grow. growth and harness innovation. MIDAS, Manchester’s inward MIDAS’ specialist business investment agency, can development team can In addition to UK-wide incentives such as the creative industry and R&D tax CO ANGEL INVESTMENT – an innovative signpost businesses towards assist you with a range of reliefs, there are a number of funding schemes and loans to support the growth of service with a focus on early stage all the relevant initiatives and free, bespoke packages of Manchester’s businesses. Manchester is said to be Europe’s second city when it co-investment from syndicates of sector- provide guidance on funding, confidential support that will comes to private equity, in terms of the number of firms and the amount they are specific business angels which include loans from make your journey as smooth investing in the region (British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, 2016). £10,000 up to £5 million to and simple as possible. Contact MIDAS and see how enable growth and develop MIDAS’ Services new products. Other areas The services provided by Manchester can help you Free support includes: of support include angel MIDAS, and the sister create future innovation. companies within The Growth • Research support and business Looking to finance your business in Manchester? investment, accelerators, +44 (0)161 237 4470 Company, are also available case development T: ACCESS TO FINANCE – a service that enterprise zones, knowledge to intermediaries such as supports businesses that need advice to transfer partnerships and • Introductions to local networks E: [email protected] location consultants, will save maximise their success in raising finance tax relief. • Recruitment and training W: investinmanchester.com you money, time and effort and or alternative capital support and advice MIDAS can help you and your enhance your project with the @Midas_mcr business with relocation and • Property solutions expert knowledge and local expansion plans. MIDAS has a intelligence that result in a • Relocation advice Start Up Business Micro Loan Equity Export reputation for understanding Loans Loans Loans Funds Investment Finance faster and more successful and assistance diverse business needs and £500 - £25k £3k – £100k £25k - £50k £100K-£5m £150k - £4m £3k - £250k move. • Post-investment PR support helping to remove any barriers GROWTH MENTORING – one-to-one for companies looking to locate mentoring support focuses on the individual or expand into Manchester. What People Say

“I’m obsessed with Manchester. I’m a huge fan of the Manchester music industry. People here are so open and funny, but while people want to go to work in LA, as a comedy writer and someone who has been in the animation and the creative industry for many years, Manchester is the place to be” Josh Weinstein, former writer and executive producer, The Simpsons and Futurama The BBC, the world’s oldest Twice Oscar-nominated “The region, especially with MediaCityUK, has a huge talent national broadcasting animation studio Brown pool of trained people so it ticks all the boxes.” organisation has moved a Bag Films launched a new Simon Hall, Managing Director, significant amount of its output 2D animation studio at The Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick from London to MediaCityUK. Sharp Project in 2015. The Around 2,700 staff work across company has produced many “We saw Manchester as the clear choice because as a 26 departments including BBC high-profile international city it really punches above its weight. With huge names Children’s, BBC Sport, BBC Radio children’s shows including including IBM, the BBC and ITV all choosing to set up here, 5 Live, and Future Media and Doc McStuffins, Octonauts we are assured that Manchester is a solid destination for Technology. and Noddy in Toyland. the software industry.” “Manchester is a vibrant, “We are very excited to get back David Cape-Brown, TOPdesk, Branch Manager well-connected place with an to our hand-drawn animation infrastructure which is world- roots with this studio and “We’re growing with offices in other cities but Manchester class. Its spirit, culture and Manchester’s such a brilliant is where we have been headquartered for over 50 years. academic prowess made it a and vibrant city with so much It has always been a great city to do business in; forward pretty obvious choice for the talent to offer.” looking, vibrant, full of creative people, great universities BBC’s Northern HQ. It gave Cathal Gaffney, CEO, and a history of great music, fashion, culture and sport to us the chance to develop a Brown Bag Films inspire the creative sector.” new culture that was more Paul Smith, Content Director, Citypress collaborative, open, fluid and digital” Peter Salmon, Director England, BBC Manchester City Centre Manchester: Come Create the Future T: +44 (0)161 237 4470 E: [email protected] W: www.investinmanchester.com Ref: 4613