Every startup begins with an idea – but bringing that vision to life is far from straightforward.
Failure rates are well-documented and calling on people with experience of successfully building a startup into an established and thriving business can be invaluable.
Hannah Churchman is head of innovation and growth at Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and Greater Manchester Pension Fund which is behind many of Manchester’s most prominent city centre workspaces as well as others in Leeds, Liverpool, Cheshire and Birmingham.
Churchman joined from Innovate Lancashire, part of Lancashire County Council’s business growth service, this summer. However before she moved into the innovation and growth space, she spent a decade working directly in the tech sector.
“I’ve worn quite a few hats over the years – everything from leadership and marketing to product development and business operations,” she tells BusinessCloud ahead of FUEL Manchester 2025, to be hosted at Bruntwood SciTech’s No.1 Circle Square on Thursday morning.
“One of the highlights was leading and growing an EdTech SaaS scale-up to £3 million ARR, which was a brilliant learning experience and really taught me what it takes to build and scale a tech business from the inside.”
She says the transition into an innovation-focused role felt “quite natural”.
“Having spent nearly a decade at accessplanit – from technical sales to product management to managing director – gave me deep insight into how businesses scale, what challenges they face at different growth stages, and the critical role that strategic partnerships and ecosystem connections play in success,” she continues.
“What I found particularly valuable from my business-building experience was understanding the operational realities behind growth. I can relate to the challenges that entrepreneurs and scale-ups face because I’ve been there myself. I understand the difference between what sounds good in theory and what actually moves the needle for growing businesses.
“I think most importantly, it taught me that innovation isn’t just about having great ideas – it’s about execution, building the right structures, tech and teams, and creating sustainable pathways for growth.”
FUEL Manchester 2025
Supported by GM Business Growth Hub, Bruntwood SciTech and S&W, FUEL Manchester 2025 will be a two-part event which begins with a breakfast panel where entrepreneurs and experts will share their advice for growth. You can register to attend the breakfast panel here.
Northcoders CEO & Lifted Ventures co-founder join FUEL Manchester 2025 line-up
Part two of the event is an exclusive masterclass where a select group of 25+ businesses will be invited to gain direct access to experts and respected names from the world of business – exactly the kind of support which Churchman says is invaluable.
“Manchester is such a connected and welcoming ecosystem,” she says of her first weeks based in the region. “The theory of ‘six degrees of separation’ is more like two here!
“This means that businesses can move fast and initiatives can get off the ground quickly.”
Using your initiatives
Her work in Lancashire saw overlap with Manchester, especially in areas such as the North West Cyber Security corridor. She also led on innovation and growth support initiatives including fhunded and the Lancashire Digital Hub.
“Having been involved in these initiatives firsthand and seeing them develop to where they are today, I’ve learned there are really three fundamental elements that make the difference,” she advises.
“First, you need a key person driving the initiative who’s genuinely embedded in the ecosystem. It can’t be someone parachuting in from the outside – it has to be someone who understands the landscape and has credibility within the community.
“Second, community is everything. You’ve got to create genuine relationships where founders and leaders can collaborate, share advice, and support each other. It’s not just about events – it’s about fostering that peer-to-peer support network that often makes or breaks early-stage companies.
“And then there’s the physical space element. Having worked on Fraser House Digital and Tech Hub in Lancaster, and being involved in developing the Innovation Hub in Samlesbury that’s co-located with the National Cyber Force, I’ve seen how important those tangible spaces are.
“There’s something about being in the same room that you can’t replicate virtually – those chance encounters and impromptu conversations over coffee are where a lot of the magic happens.
“When you get all three working together – the right leadership, strong community, and proper physical infrastructure – that’s when initiatives really take off and create lasting impact.”
S&W aims to bring ‘personal touch’ to professional services in the North
At Bruntwood SciTech, Churchman is helping to build out an extensive ecosystem that connects business leaders and entrepreneurs with its network of investors, universities, recruitment agencies and industry experts. Its community currently boasts more than 1,100 startups, scaleups and global businesses across the regional cities.
Female Founders Incubator
“It isn’t just about making introductions – we maintain an ongoing calendar of growth-focused events that provides continuous growth support,” she says.
“A programme that I’m particularly excited about is our upcoming Female Founders Incubator, which will be opening for applications by the end of October, with the programme launching in January 2026. This is a six-month intensive programme specifically designed for early-stage female entrepreneurs across Manchester and Leeds.
“Participants will receive over £20,000 worth of support, which includes dedicated mentoring, access to professional services like legal, marketing, and accounting support, as well as funding guidance.
“What makes this program special is the combination of expert advice, peer support sessions, and practical workshops, all housed in our coworking space at the Tech Hub in No.1 Circle Square. We’re focused on giving participants not just the technical knowledge, but the mentorship, network, expertise, and confidence they need to scale successfully and access funding.”
For those interested in getting involved, Bruntwood SciTech is hosting a Female Founders Social on 12th November, where female founders, leaders, and allies can start building crucial relationships and connections.You can sign up here.