Manchester Science Partnerships opens £2m tech incubator

Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP) has launched a new tech incubator that could help bring thousands of skilled jobs to the city.

The incubator, set up with £2m backing from Manchester City Council, will create up to 2,000 jobs in data science and technology innovation companies over the next decade.

Startups at the facility will be offered a package of support services that includes access to finance, talent and markets advice.

Among the delivery partners for the incubator are trade body Manchester Digital, talent support services business Complete Resourcing and diversity-focused social enterprise Sharp Futures.

The centre will be geared towards startups working in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cyber security, cloud technology, digital health and other fields.

It will be located at Manchester Technology Centre, part of Circle Square.

Mayor Andy Burnham, who was on hand to officially launch the incubator this week, said: “I want Manchester to be the UK’s leading tech and digital centre and this new tech incubator takes the city to another level, because if we are going to be a leader in this industry we have to build an ecosystem that supports businesses at every level, from startup to the biggest players too.

“We also need to build a culture of collaboration across the sector, and the whole city region to achieve our ambitions.”

He continued: “Manchester Science Partnerships is a great example of the collaboration we need, and I congratulate them on creating this amazing space, in such a fantastic location – right on the doorstep of our universities – and I am sure it will be a place where great ideas are brought to life.”