Business Innovation
Join 3,000 SMEs who’ve benefitted from the most comprehensive innovation support available in Greater Manchester.
Take a look at the list below – do any of these sentences sound familiar? If so, you’re on the right page.
- You know you should be spending more time on the business, not in the business, but can’t seem to find the opportunity to take a step back and work on strategy
- You have a great idea, but lack the knowledge, finance or connections that would really drive it forward
- You’d benefit from a fresh perspective from someone who’s been there and done it, but there’s no budget for bringing in a consultant
- You’re struggling to overcome a technical problem that’s blocking product development and need access to additional skills and testing facilities
- You know there’s innovation support out there, but there are so many different offers that it’s difficult knowing where to begin in terms of accessing it
Many businesses are well aware of the need to be innovative, that a business plan based on ‘a bit better than last year’ isn’t the best way to open up growth opportunities. But putting a new approach into practice while juggling 101 day-to-day tasks is the difficult part.
That’s where we come in. Our innovation specialists have helped thousands of businesses to develop and progress new products, services, processes and business models – and turn ideas and opportunities into sales.
Call us on 0161 359 3050, email BGHinnovation@growthco.uk or use this contact form. Most of our services are available at no cost to businesses, thanks to the backing of our funders.
Three quick wins

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Come and join our fully-funded expert panel session to learn how to unlock the power of AI
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Download our guide to accelerating product development
Download hereHelping your business to innovate
Using proven tools and techniques, our specialist advisors can support you on a number of areas to deliver growth for your business. What we don’t do is come storming in with big size 12s and tell you how to do your job. We work with you to understand your challenges and become a catalyst for transforming your business.
This fully-funded service is designed for SMEs in Greater Manchester who recognise that, in order to grow, they need to innovate.

Understanding the funding landscape, identify sources of finance and evaluate funding readiness.

Evaluating potential business models, managing risk and getting ready to commercialise.

Ensuring innovation has a clear value proposition aligned with market and customer needs.

Understanding intellectual property assets, their value and how to protect and manage them.

Accessing leading knowledge, facilities and equipment to solve technical and business challenges.

Creating a business environment that allows innovation to flourish and encourages new ideas.
Why do businesses need to be innovative?
Innovation is essential for all businesses, regardless of their staff numbers or revenue, leading to improved turnover, productivity and competitiveness. In research by McKinsey & Company, innovative companies were found to be 2.4 times more profitable than those which carry on doing things like they always have done.
Don’t just take our word for it. Amongst the thousands of SMEs in Greater Manchester that have seen tangible benefits from relatively small investments in time are Stainless Restoration Ltd, which improved the effectiveness of its leading product by 15% after exploring a new approach.
Then there’s dBx Acoustics, which developed a groundbreaking new software tool in collaboration with the University of Salford. And Heelz and Toez, which won a European Award in Sustainability for its trail-blazing approach in the fashion sector.
Innovation is not the exclusive domain of global giants. Any business of any size, working in any sector can begin to do things differently. It’s about introducing something new or improved to your business, whether that’s a product line, process or strategy.
The benefits are multiple…
Competitive Advantage
Increased Profits
Reduced Costs
Enhanced Sustainability
Improved Productivity
Retain and Attract Talent
Media coverage of our business innovation specialists
Our innovation team is experienced, highly-skilled, and dedicated to helping Greater Manchester’s SMEs to grow
Retired bus driver creates low-cost sanitiser for care sector (About Manchester)
How to nourish an innovation ecosystem (The Business Desk)
Grants up for grabs for Rochdale’s innovative businesses (Rochdale Online)
Business Innovation case studies

A Manchester SME has developed a groundbreaking new software tool, in collaboration with the University of Salford.
Read here
How a Hyde SME strengthened its value proposition in three easy steps, thanks to support from GC Business Growth Hub.
Read here
A tech scale-up receives support from GC Business Growth Hub to expand the team and take its R&D tax solution global.
Read hereMore innovation resources

The latest blogs, funding opportunities and tips for your business.
Read here
See how other SMEs in Greater Manchester have turned their ideas into sales.
Read here