EnterprisingYou

29/05/2026

Our Enterprise and Growth teams came together at Warren Bruce Court this morning for a collaborative team meeting.

It was a great opportunity to catch up, share updates, explore new ways of working, and hear how each team is progressing. We also had the pleasure of welcoming some new colleagues into the team — great to have you with us!

GM Business Growth Hub

08/05/2026

Yesterday, we were at the Deaf Job Fair at the Manchester Deaf Centre 👋

Our advisors, Andy Mather and Vikki Bradbury, were on hand to chat with attendees about the support available through EnterprisingYou for anyone looking to start and grow a business.

It was great to see so many deaf-aware employers and organisations in one place, helping connect people to new opportunities.

Manchester Deaf Centre

06/05/2026

The King’s Awards application window opens
today 👑

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are among the UK’s most prestigious business honours, recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence, impact and ambition on a national and global stage.

Winning a King’s Award can:
✅️ Strengthen credibility with customers, investors and partners

✅️ Unlock global recognition and long-term commercial value

✅️ Open doors to new markets, opportunities and collaborations

✅️ Boost growth, exports and employee pride

Greater Manchester is full of ambitious organisations doing exceptional work. When one business is recognised, it raises the profile and confidence of our entire city-region.

If your organisation is achieving outstanding results, whether through international growth, innovation, social impact or sustainability leadership, now is the time to step forward.

Support, guidance and insights from previous winners are available from GM Business Growth Hub to help Greater Manchester businesses put forward strong, compelling applications.

Find out more, hear from previous winners, and get tailored support to help your application stand out now! 👇

https://bit.ly/411lHoq

22/04/2026

Funding might not be the immediate focus for everyone we support through EnterprisingYou, but it’s something many people start thinking about as their business develops.

Our colleagues at GM Business Growth Hub have shared a really useful blog on what fundraising looks like in 2026 and why it’s becoming more competitive. With AI making it easier for businesses to put together pitch decks and forecasts, investors are seeing more applications than ever and are becoming much more selective.

Even if funding is a longer‑term consideration for you, understanding what investors now expect can help you shape your business, your plans, and your growth journey with the future in mind.

It’s well worth a read if funding could be part of your business journey at any stage.

Take a look here 👉 https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/resources/the-new-reality-of-fundraising-in-2026/

Raising funding in 2026 isn’t getting easier. It’s getting more competitive. 🤯

💻 AI has made it quicker to produce pitch decks, forecasts and investment materials. But that also means investors are seeing more applications than ever before.

And they’re becoming more selective.

The businesses that stand out aren’t just well-prepared. They’re clear, credible and genuinely investor-ready.

If you’re thinking about funding this year, here’s what’s changing and what to focus on.

The full article can be found in our Resource page (link in bio).

20/04/2026

Congratulations to the newest cohort of GM Business Growth Hub's ASCEND Scale Up Programme! 👏

It’s inspiring to see so much ambition across Greater Manchester. Excited to follow the progress of these founders as they scale with ASCEND. 🚀

16/04/2026

Find out whats ahead in 2026 for the Innovation, AI adoption and R&D tax relief landscape in this upcoming webinar from Marks & Clerk, featuring GM Business Growth Hub.

Find out more details and book your place here: https://www.marks-clerk.com/insights/events/unlocking-innovation-ai-rd-tax-relief-ip-in-2026/

Innovation, AI adoption and R&D tax relief are evolving rapidly. To help businesses navigate this landscape, Marks & Clerk is hosting a webinar exploring what’s ahead in 2026.

We’re proud that Belinda Carp, Innovation Specialist at GM Business Growth Hub, will contribute her expertise on supporting businesses to innovate with confidence.

📅 30 April | ⏰ 10:00am – 11:00am

A valuable session for leaders, innovators, R&D active organisations and start ups looking to strengthen their R&D and IP strategies.

Register Now 👉 https://www.marks-clerk.com/insights/events/unlocking-innovation-ai-rd-tax-relief-ip-in-2026/

&D

13/04/2026

GM Business Growth Hub has just shared a great new article: “How to develop a go‑to‑market strategy that will impress investors.”

If you’re an entrepreneur thinking about funding or planning your next stage of growth, this is a useful read on what investors really want to see beyond a strong idea.

Take a look 👇
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/resources/how-to-develop-a-go-to-market-strategy-that-will-impress-investors/

A great idea doesn’t always make an investable business 💰

Many founders start with a strong idea. But when it comes to raising funding, that’s not always enough.

Investors are looking beyond the idea itself. They want to see how it will translate into real customers and sustainable growth. That’s where a clear go-to-market strategy makes the difference.

It shows:
✅Who your target customers are
✅How you’ll reach and convert them
✅Why your approach will work
✅And how the business can scale

Without this clarity, even promising ideas can struggle to secure investment.

If you’re preparing to raise funding, this article breaks down how to build a go-to-market strategy that gives investors confidence.

Read more 👉 https://ow.ly/3ru250YH88I

09/04/2026

Many businesses are facing real uncertainty because of changing energy prices. Now, more than ever, it’s important to understand what’s happening in the market and plan for it.

Green Economy is holding a briefing to outline the latest trends, share insights into what may happen next, and offer practical steps to help protect your business. It’s a valuable session for anyone looking for more clarity and control in uncertain times.

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 - 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 - 𝟭𝟮𝗽𝗺-𝟭𝗽𝗺

Reserve your free place here: https://ow.ly/39QH50YGpS8

09/04/2026

QUESTION. Do you work in one of the following creative sub-sectors in GM, or are you studying to embark on a creative career? 👇

🔹 Advertising and marketing
🔹 Architecture
🔹 Crafts
🔹 Design (product, graphic, games and fashion)
🔹 Film, TV, video, radio, photography and podcasting
🔹 Createch
🔹 Publishing
🔹 Museums, galleries, and libraries
🔹 Music, performing, and visual arts

If so, then you need to find out more about GM Creative Industries Exchange, which will take place at the iconic New Century on 30 April.

The key concepts? Connect, Collaborate, Create.

This is a day built around what Greater Manchester’s creative community told us they need most - practical support, genuine opportunities and space to connect.

Join freelancers, organisations, educators and industry leaders for a programme shaped by 600+ local creatives: panels, workshops, clinics, showcases, fireside chats, live podcasts, and from 4pm onwards, a DJ set, live music and networking.

We’ll explore everything from funding and freelancing to skills development, inclusion and emerging tech including AI and digital innovation. You’ll also hear the latest on GM’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, the Creative Places Growth Fund and the new Freelancer Network.

Champion local talent. Explore bold ideas. Shape the future of creativity in GM.✊

Tickets for GM Creative Industries Exchange are available online! 🎉

Book your place now: https://ow.ly/6tS550YEZi8

Image: Marieke Macklon

02/04/2026

Relive the Top Moments from Festival of Enterprise 2026

This year’s Festival of Enterprise brought together more than 300 people from across Greater Manchester’s business community for a full day of learning, sharing and support. 💡✨

From expert‑led workshops and hands‑on sessions to dozens of exhibitors, the event created the perfect space for entrepreneurs to gain practical insights, make meaningful connections and take their next step with confidence.

🎥 See the highlights
📰 Explore the full blog
👇 Catch up on everything from the day.

https://ow.ly/WbwJ50YCbup