More than 20 Ukrainian tech and cyber companies visited Greater Manchester last week as part of the UK-Ukraine TechBridge roadshow, meeting local businesses, investors and support organisations across the city region.
The visit took place during UK Tech Week and comes at a time when President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the conflict in Iran is delaying progress on peace negotiations for Ukraine.
Organisers said Manchester’s role on the roadshow reflected the continued resilience of Ukrainian tech firms and the strength of Greater Manchester’s digital and cyber sectors.
The TechBridge programme, launched by the UK and Ukrainian governments in 2024, is designed to deepen collaboration in innovation, technology, and investment. It sits within the wider 100‑year partnership between both countries, announced in 2025 in Kyiv by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Zelensky.
Greater Manchester was selected as a host city due to its established capabilities across the tech sector. The region is home to more than 6,000 cyber professionals and over 150 cyber firms, alongside strong clusters in data science, digital commerce, advanced manufacturing and creative technology.
Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of The Growth Company, said the TechBridge programme was “about turning international collaboration into practical partnerships between UK and Ukrainian businesses”.
More than 70 delegates took part in the Manchester session, including Ukrainian founders working across AI, software engineering, digital and cyber, alongside representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the GM Business Growth Hub and around thirty Greater Manchester tech firms.
The day began with a morning hosted by Alvarez & Marsal, featuring presentations and discussions on UK–Ukraine partnership opportunities. Delegates then visited the Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH), met local businesses during a networking lunch at The Fountain House, and later toured the Northern Engineering and Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC) at the University of Salford.
Organisers said the programme was designed to help Ukrainian companies understand the Greater Manchester ecosystem and build relationships to support expansion, investment, and longer‑term collaboration.
In discussions with local stakeholders, Ukrainian founders asked about navigating UK regulations, different sales practices and the challenge of building early networks. Some delegates said the UK can feel bureaucratic for newcomers, with one remarking that “it’s easy to get wrapped up in red tape and you need someone to unravel you”.
Greater Manchester was highlighted as an example of strong, integrated business support. Invest in Manchester helps firms establish a presence in the region, before connecting them with the GM Business Growth Hub, which provides ongoing practical aftercare. This includes access to cohort programmes, mentoring, and one‑to‑one guidance from experienced advisors.
Delegates also shared insights into how Ukraine’s tech sector has adapted during the war. Petro Rewko, Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said “before the full‑scale invasion in 2022, not many people in the UK knew about Ukraine’s digital capabilities.” He described the conflict as “extensively a cyber war”, noting around 3,000 cyber‑attacks in the first year—including 1,000 critical incidents—and 6,000 attacks last year.
He said the delegation represented “the best of what happened and how Ukraine responded”.
Speaking at the event, local leaders said the visit reflected Greater Manchester’s long‑standing commitment to Ukraine and its intention to support long‑term partnership through the TechBridge initiative.
Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “It has been inspiring to see the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian tech sector and to welcome delegates. Supporting Ukraine is about civic solidarity and when the end of the war comes, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian tech businesses and their employees.
“Manchester has a strong digital ecosystem which makes it the perfect place to build partnerships and enter the UK market.”
Niall Cronin, Sector and Cluster Development Principal at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, added: “Greater Manchester is incredibly proud of its tech ecosystem, but we must not forget everything else that sits around it.
“It’s the business support, the innovation and research strength, the diverse talent base, the social value, and the sense of community that matter most. It is that which will make the partnership through the UK Ukraine TechBridge possible, perhaps even powerful.
“Today has shown how much we can achieve when we bring people together and create the right environment for collaboration.”