A Greater Manchester-wide programme offering free support for startups is set to launch its second phase next month.
Initiate, run by Manchester Digital, offers fully-funded places for 100 startups and founders across six months.
Launching in October, it is inviting founders and entrepreneurs from right across Greater Manchester to join the sessions, which include expert advice, in-depth masterclasses, a knowledge hub and tailored support.
The first phase saw a number of roadshows for startups and founders across the boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Katie Gallagher OBE, managing director at Manchester Digital, said: “Our Startup Activator was launched to foster a community and provide guidance from experts and experienced founders.
“We strongly encourage founders, from ideation stage through to early traction, from across Greater Manchester to sign up and take part in the new Initiate programme. We want entrepreneurs from all parts of our region to come together to drive and develop tech innovation.”
Amanda Allan, director of Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “Using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we’re allocating funding to organisations like the Manchester Digital who are already plugged into their regional ecosystems.
“We are proud to be able to support these projects which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs. This ensures our on-going commitment to support the tech sector which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”
The Initiate programme sits under Manchester Digital’s Startup Activator and was awarded funding by Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, funded by the UK government.
The Startup Activator programme was launched in 2023, and is also supported by Bruntwood SciTech, TLT, Kao Data and Zoho, which provide free support to startups from idea stage to early traction.
The application closing date for Initiate is 25th September 2024. Most sessions are delivered remotely, but there will be some in-person sessions. You can apply here.