A multimillion-pound tech incubator in Manchester is now nearly full just six months after being launched by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Manchester Science Partnerships’ (MSP) tech incubator at Manchester Technology Centre is now home to over 20 businesses employing almost 100 people.
Launched by Burnham in May, the incubator is designed for start-ups working in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, IoT, smart cities and digital health.
It will help create up to 2,000 jobs in data science and technology innovation companies over the next decade, and has been backed by £2 million of funding from Manchester City Council.
MSP managing director Tom Renn hailed a “brilliant six months” which “exceeded our expectations”.
“In our first six months the Incubator has hosted over 80 sector events including the sold out Manimation 2018 conference, Manchester Digital’s Start-up Stories and Manchester Entrepreneurs’ accelerator programme,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming the final businesses who will take the remaining places over the coming weeks.”
Businesses who have joined the incubator include UrbanChain, Digital Interruption, Ai Patient, BlockRocket, F-lex Legal, Neural Mind and Shout.
Fast-growing content curation platform Wakelet last month announced its team had relocated to the incubator to support future expansion.
Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese added: “MSP’s Tech Incubator has a crucial role to play in the growth of Manchester’s tech industry which is already home to the largest tech cluster in the country outside London and one of the top five in Europe.
“Tech is a hugely important growth industry in Manchester – a city which lives and breathes innovation – and with more and more start-ups and tech workers choosing to operate in the city, this is a clear endorsement of the city’s vibrant tech scene.”
The incubator is designed for start-ups working in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, IoT, smart cities and digital health.
Companies benefit from access to MSP’s specialist growth programme including access to funding and finance, talent and leadership services, business mentorship and product development support from MSP and its partner network.