Accessing capital
in Greater Manchester.
Connecting you to the right capital in Greater Manchester
Access to the right finance at the right time is critical to business growth. Whether you are launching, scaling, investing in new products or expanding operations, securing appropriate funding can accelerate your ambitions – but navigating the landscape can be complex.
Invest Manchester does not directly provide finance. Instead, we act as a strategic connector and guide, helping businesses understand the funding landscape in Greater Manchester and access the most relevant public and private finance options available.
Manchester is a city region committed to entrepreneurship and growth. A wide range of organisations, initiatives and funding programmes exist to support businesses at every stage, and Invest Manchester helps you navigate them efficiently and confidently.
How Invest Manchester supports your business
Our role is to ensure you spend less time searching for funding and more time growing your organisation.
We work alongside businesses to:
- Signpost relevant loan, equity and grant programmes
- Introduce you to trusted finance providers and investors
- Support investment readiness conversations
- Provide insight into sector-specific funding streams
- Connect you to accelerators and innovation programmes
- Identify opportunities linked to tax relief and knowledge transfer
Investment support in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester has a strong regional finance ecosystem designed to support businesses that may not access traditional mainstream lending.
GC Business Finance
GC Business Finance offers a range of affordable business loans and finance solutions for businesses unable to obtain mainstream funding. Delivered on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, the organisation has sanctioned more than £16 million in loans to businesses across Greater Manchester.
Funding options range from £500 to £4 million and include:
- New Enterprise Allowance (£500–£2,500)
- Start Up Loans (£500–£25,000)
- Business Loans for Greater Manchester and Cheshire (£3,000–£100,000)
- The North West Micro Fund (£25,000–£50,000)
- Co Angel Investment Service (£100,000–£4,000,000)
Invest Manchester can help determine which of these routes may be appropriate and facilitate introductions where relevant.
Business Growth Hub – Access to Finance
The Business Growth Hub Access to Finance (A2F) service provides bespoke, fully funded funding support to eligible SMEs across Greater Manchester.
Their specialist advisors offer:
- Independent guidance with no fees or commission
- Expertise across public and private funding channels
- Support to become investment ready
- Assistance identifying and engaging with potential investors
Invest Manchester works closely with the Business Growth Hub to ensure businesses can quickly access the most appropriate advice and funding pathways.
Beyond Traditional Finance
Greater Manchester’s funding ecosystem extends beyond loans and equity investment.
Support may also include:
- Angel investor networks
- Accelerator and scale-up programmes
- Enterprise zone benefits
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
- R&D and innovation tax relief
- Sector-specific innovation grants
In addition, Greater Manchester’s devolution agreement enables access to skills funding, including reskilling programmes and fully funded bootcamp pilots. These initiatives help businesses build sustainable talent pipelines aligned to long-term growth.
A coordinated, investor-friendly ecosystem
Greater Manchester’s collaborative model – bringing together local government, universities, private investors and support agencies – creates a coordinated and responsive funding environment.
Whether you’re launching a new venture, investing in R&D or scaling operations, Invest Manchester can support you in identifying and accessing the finance and funding streams that align with your ambitions.
