GM Business Growth Hub has announced the selection of 25 business leaders for the second cohort of its ASCEND Scale Up Programme.
The exclusive initiative will return after a successful inaugural year and is designed to support and accelerate the growth of Greater Manchester’s most promising high-growth businesses.
The programme is a personal development initiative tailored to help founders of high-growth businesses across GM scale rapidly and achieve their full potential.
Delivered in partnership with KPMG, ASCEND provides a combination of expert mentorship, coworking access in Manchester City Centre and valuable industry exposure.
The first cohort of ASCEND focused on high growth businesses and graduated in June 2025. It included well-known names such as Carrs Pasties and Specscart.
This year, GM Business Growth Hub invited businesses of any kind to apply for the programme.
“Everything we do at GM Business Growth Hub is about helping businesses become stronger,” said Janine Smith, director of GM Business Growth Hub.
“ASCEND is tailored to support those with high aspirations and large growth goals to meet their ambitions. Our first cohort came away from the programme with clients in new international markets, national and international partnerships, significant increases in revenue, exciting new products and services.
“They also built lasting relationships and collaborations with each other. I’m really looking forward to what the second cohort can bring to the experience.”
The second cohort launched on 17th June and will run through to March 2026.
Over the course of nine months, entrepreneurs will receive in-depth support designed to propel their businesses to the next level.
As part of the programme, founders and their mentors on the programme will once again travel to Web Summit in Lisbon this November, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, offering a unique opportunity to connect with global thought leaders, partners and potential investors.
The programme will be managed by Kellie Noon, who has supported businesses for nearly 15 years.
She added: “ASCEND is designed to transform Greater Manchester’s high-potential businesses into industry leaders. Like all of GM Business Growth Hub’s support, it’s fully funded with no catch.
“Every aspect of the programme is designed to help them achieve their ambitions and contribute to the region’s future growth and innovation. These businesses are thinking big, and I’m very excited to see where this journey takes us.”
The full cohort of 25 businesses:
Engage Solutions Group
Candy’s Cupcakes
92 Degrees
Red Rock Communications
The Sunflower Group
BigByte Digital Ltd
Social communications group
Collctiv
Zero Carbon Group Limited
Hydr
Hair Made Easi Ltd.
Hip Pop
Distology
Go A Mile Extra Facilities Management Limited
Powdr
Piing Ltd
GTSE
One Day Agency
Pets Purest
Near-Life
Unify Energy
Red Flag
Vypr Validation Technologies Limited
The Revenue Club
Biora