Events hosted by the Innovation team at the GM Business Growth Hub will help businesses to innovate and grow.  

• Business-owners, entrepreneurs and innovators in Greater Manchester are being invited to join the Innovation Marketplace this February.
• The Innovation Marketplace will provide opportunities for businesses to network, discover funding, speak to experts and participate in workshops.
• This events are a continuation of two incredibly successful events held in December 2024. 
• The ‘AI for Beginners’ workshop was well received in December and helps businesses understand the opportunities artificial intelligence and greater sustainability can bring. 
• Lightning Talks - hear success stories from local businesses that have drawn on the support of the innovation ecosystem to thrive.
• Whether a start-up, SME or an established company, the Innovation Marketplace has something to offer every business ready to develop and accelerate their innovation, embrace fresh ideas, and stay ahead of customer demands.

Businesses can learn about AI, growth support and innovation at the brand new ‘Innovation Marketplace’ event next month. 

Taking place in February, the Innovation Marketplace has been designed to equip local business with the tools, insights and connections to innovate and develop their products, services or processes. 

The events are being held around Greater Manchester:

• Wigan and Bolton - February 26th - click here to register
• Tameside and Stockport - February 11th - click here to register

Developed by the GM Business Growth Hub’s Innovation team in collaboration with their GM Innovation Ecosystem partners, the Innovation Marketplace will help to connect forward-looking businesses with the wealth of resources in the region.

Businesses of all kinds, whether they are just beginning their innovation journey or looking to scale, will find new perspectives and opportunities at the event.

Oliver Witty, Local Innovation Connector for Bolton, said: “Whether you can join us for the whole morning or just 30 minutes, the Innovation Marketplace will help you make a meaningful positive difference to the way you do business. 

“Bringing Greater Manchester’s innovation eco-system together for a morning will help us bring about positive change for Bolton and the wider city region.”

The February events are a continuation of the successful Innovation Marketplace events held in Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Trafford in December 2024. 

Steve Wilcock, founder of Marshal Eye, a communication system for the fire service, attended a previous Innovation Marketplace event and was impressed by the insights offered. 

He said: “I’ve been to a few trade shows for Marshal Eye and I have found this to be the best event I’ve been to. I’ve mixed with like-minded people on similar journeys and you tap into that rich experience and journey. 

“It’s been a really useful event and I will definitely be going to future events with The Growth Hub.”

Attendees will get the opportunity to attend ‘Lightning Talks’ to provide practical insights and hear success stories from local businesses that have drawn on the support of the innovation ecosystem to thrive.

The ‘AI for Beginners’ workshop will help business owners understand how to incorporate AI into their operations and boost efficiency, with real-world examples and tools to get them started. Perfect for businesses looking to integrate AI, but unsure where to begin. 

Yvonne Grady, Head of Innovation at the GM Business Growth Hub, said: “Whether you’re just starting your innovation journey or looking to scale, joining us at the Innovation Marketplace will equip you with the tools, insights and connections to drive success in your products, services or processes. 

“The Innovation team has had an incredible 2024, with the launch of our Innovation Navigator programme and working with hundreds of businesses to enhance innovation, boost productivity and help our region’s businesses to grow. The Innovation Marketplace series of events helped us round out the year and start 2025 with a bang.”

Representatives from Local Authorities, universities, legal and financial experts, R&D tax consultants and innovation specialists, will all be in attendance to help bring your new ideas to life or propel your existing innovation project forward. 

As organisers of the event, The Growth Hub team will be able to help you discover funding opportunity and to access the resources to fuel your innovation journey.

The Innovation Marketplace events will also provide space for you to network with other business owners and peers that have made the same innovation journey.