Helping you to understand the funding landscape, identify potential sources of finance and evaluate funding readiness.
We facilitate access to a wide range of research and development grant funding through a variety of schemes. Working with partners such as Innovate UK and Horizon 2020, we’ll help you to identify the most appropriate route – from start-up funding to collaborative projects involving small businesses, large companies, universities, and research organisations.
GC Business Growth Hub’s Innovation Team can also provide support with application ideation, reviews and comments. To find out more about the support you can access, please complete this enquiry form.
Keep up to date with the latest funding calls by subscribing to Innovation Grapevine, our bi-monthly newsletter.
£5,000 Innovation Vouchers for Greater Manchester SMEs
Get the funding you need to access expert support to help your business innovate, develop and grow.
Innovation Vouchers enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greater Manchester to apply for up to £5,000 funding to access expertise, research and specialist facilities to accelerate the development of innovative products and services.
The vouchers provide an opportunity to develop a new, long term and sustainable partnership with a University or a recognised research organisation (typically not for profit). Apply using the form below.
The kind of activities the vouchers can be used to fund include:
- Access to facilities and equipment
- Product design
- Research and development
- Knowledge transfer
- Consultancy
Innovation Vouchers are available for established SMEs in Greater Manchester, subject to eligibility and suitability criteria.
Successful applicants must match the value of the Innovation Voucher with a £1 contribution for every £1 received. For example, businesses applying for the maximum voucher of £5,000 will be required to contribute £5,000 (and the full VAT cost). The minimum contribution from businesses is £3,000.
This service is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Innovation Voucher testimonials
“They have helped us to form new partnerships with universities, as well as introduce us to new companies and industry contacts, which have proven invaluable.”
Richard Tate, Project Manager, Hallidays Hydropower
“We have benefitted greatly from finding an academic partner to help us develop our online training system. Not only did our Hub innovation advisor Dharma fully support us through the application process, she also found great people within the university and acted as a great liaison as we initially developed the project.”
Chris Cooke, Managing Director, Jeff Gosling Hand Controls Ltd
“The team at the Growth Hub have been fantastic. We have been offered and provided with strategic support and also funding that have been used with Salford University. The results have enabled us to win new business and develop our portfolio of certification. Their support has been excellent.”
Louise King, ScrewQuick
“The process was made easy for me and I was extremely grateful at the support throughout each step/stage, resulting in a voucher towards research, which will hopefully help me move my business forward and to the next phase of growth.”
Oliver Briggs, Founder, Healthstrong
Apply Now
