Cycling clothing CEO says local innovation support can overcome barriers and drive market-leading products. 

• Lusso received £13,000 innovation grant to support the development of a technologically advanced waterproof jacket

• The Bury-based company tapped into advanced testing facilities at Manchester Metropolitan University

• Former professional cyclist Jake Wright says GM Business Growth Hub funding and specialist support was “absolutely vital” to accelerating launch

• Sales of 1,000 jackets expected in first six months following launch 

Businesses are being encouraged to explore the wealth of support available to help them innovate, by a company that’s now ready to launch a ‘market-leading’ product as a result of benefiting from collaborative local partnerships. 

Cycling clothing manufacturer Lusso developed a technologically advanced waterproof jacket with support from GM Business Growth Hub and cutting-edge testing facilities at Manchester Metropolitan University. Led by professional cyclist and former national Time Trial champion Jake Wright, who became CEO in 2021, the company plans to launch the product in March 2025. Lusso projects sales of 1,000 jackets within the first six months and expects to create two new jobs during this period. 

Wright said: “We'd identified a gap in the market, but were facing a couple of barriers. The first was financial; the newer sort of high-tech machinery we need to make waterproof clothing is very expensive, and as a small business we struggle to fund it. The second barrier was getting independent verification that the fabric we were using in this new product was the best fit for the job.” 

Lusso received a capital expenditure grant of £8,500 to cover half the new equipment’s cost, as well as pay for training and ongoing maintenance. An additional revenue grant of more than £4,500 funded product verification by textile specialists at Manchester Metropolitan University. 

“The textile lab has enabled us to test advanced exterior membrane fabrics against more traditional fabrics, for breathability and waterproofness,” said Wright. “As a result, we’ve been able to manufacture a jacket that we think will be a market leader. Being guided by innovation specialists at GM Business Growth Hub on picking the right machinery, the right fabrics, and the right partners to carry out the testing was absolutely vital to us being able to accelerate our launch date without putting financial strain on the business.”  

Professor Jenny Shirley, Academic Director of the University’s Centre for Enterprise, emphasised the breadth of support available for SMEs from all sectors: “Greater Manchester is fortunate to have a vast array of resources, including GM Business Growth Hub, our universities, and many other organisations. At Manchester Met, we’re committed to helping them grow and innovate, and we’re with them every step of the way. 

“The starting point is to speak with GM Business Growth Hub to understand the range of options available – they act as a gateway for SMEs to connect with the region’s innovation ecosystem and all the state-of-the-art equipment and funding it offers.” 

To find out more about Lusso, visit www.lusso.bike.