How to Raise VC in Manchester: Top Investors, Grants, and Support for Startups
Manchester has rapidly emerged as the UK’s leading tech and startup hub outside of London, earning its reputation as the “engine room” of the Northern startup powerhouse. The city’s transformation from an industrial heartland to a digital innovation centre is underpinned by a unique blend of world-class universities, a supportive business ecosystem, and a growing network of investors and accelerators.
Over the past decade, Manchester has experienced remarkable growth in its startup ecosystem. The number of private companies headquartered in the region has increased by 46.5%, while the number of high-growth companies has soared by 78% in the same period, making Manchester one of the most dynamic areas for startup activity in the UK. The city is now home to over 1,600 startups, employing more than 60,000 people, and is widely recognized as the second-largest tech startup hub in the UK after London.
Manchester’s startup scene is not just about numbers—it’s about community and opportunity. The city regularly hosts high-profile networking events, demo days, and industry conferences, connecting founders with investors, mentors, and potential partners. Local government and business support organizations have doubled down on innovation, launching initiatives and a range of grant and loan programs to help startups scale.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top venture capital firms in Machester along with helpful resources and other funding sources.
Top VCs and Investors in Manchester
Praetura Ventures
About: Praetura has been supporting SMEs since 2011, raising capital and investing in the early stages of business life cycles.
DSW Ventures
About: DSW Ventures is a national firm of seed and early-stage venture capital investment specialists focusing on regional UK growth businesses. We invest in technology and tech-led businesses with talented founders and a highly-scalable market position.
NorthEdge
About: NorthEdge manages £900m of private equity funds aimed at lower-mid market buy-out and development capital transactions.
We are looking to invest in like-minded businesses and management teams who have real ambition and the potential to shape global markets from the regional powerhouses.
Thesis: Our track record and the way we conduct ourselves sets us apart, and we put smart thinking and logical decision-making at the centre of everything we do. We are looking to invest typically between £2m – £45m in each business we back in growth and development capital, management buy-outs, equity release and buy-and-build opportunities. Our focus is on established businesses, typically with turnover greater than £5m and profits greater than £0.5m.
Based in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, we understand the engines of the regional economy because we are one.
KM Capital
About: KM Capital is a Manchester-based seed venture capital fund, looking to invest in early-stage, tech-driven businesses. Our funding team has founded or scaled three of the UK's most successful digital businesses of recent years.
We are a generalist fund but have a particular strength and specialism in consumer-focused companies.
Livingbridge
About: Livingbridge is a leading mid-market private equity firm. We empower businesses to unlock their true potential. This is investment done the right way, built on ambition and experience. Nobody has seen it all, but some get closer than others and since we started in 1999, we’ve supported over 170 investments. We take a flexible approach to investing, but we’re keenly focused on where we can add the most value, which is why we focus on four core sectors: technology, services, healthcare and education, and consumer.
We are an ambitious and international team with offices in London, Manchester, Australia and the US. It is our footprint, local knowledge and network that has supported the successful growth of our companies over the last 25 years, with many now household names.
GC Angels
About: High-innovation potential, early-stage businesses haven't always been able to access the growth capital they need. GC Angels was formed to respond this imbalance in the early-stage equity market across the North. We invest alongside angel investors and funds, de-risking and unlocking deals with a focus on exciting, high-growth opportunities innovating across digital, creative and technology sectors.
Thesis: We work with entrepreneurs based in the North raising equity between £25,000 - £2m to grow and scale their businesses.
Local Support: Grants, Accelerators, and Government Initiatives in Manchester
Manchester’s startup ecosystem is bolstered by a robust network of grants, accelerators, and government-backed initiatives designed to help founders access both dilutive (VC) and non-dilutive (grant, loan, and public) capital. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the most relevant support available in 2025, and how founders can strategically combine these resources for maximum impact.
Major Grants and Public Funding
Innovation Accelerator ProgrammeGreater Manchester is one of three UK regions piloting the £130 million Innovation Accelerator, led by Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation. This programme funds transformative R&D projects in sectors like advanced materials, digital and tech, health innovation, and net zero. The initiative has already supported over 500 businesses and is extended through March 2026, providing direct funding and ecosystem support for startups and scaleups.
GC Business FinanceGC Business Finance offers a range of affordable business loans and services for startups unable to access mainstream funding. Products include Start Up Loans (£500–£25,000), Business Loans for Greater Manchester (£3,000–£100,000), and the North West Micro Fund (£25,000–£50,000). These are ideal for early-stage founders seeking non-dilutive capital to complement VC investment.
Business Growth Hub – Access to FinanceThe Business Growth Hub’s Access to Finance (A2F) service provides fully funded, bespoke support to help SMEs in Greater Manchester become investment-ready. Their finance specialists help founders identify and secure the most relevant public and private funding sources, including grants, loans, and equity.
Small Innovation GrantsGreater Manchester regularly offers innovation grants (e.g., up to £5,000) to help SMEs bring new products and services to market. These grants are often sector-specific and can be combined with private investment to accelerate growth.
Leading Accelerators and Incubators
Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (TIC Manchester)TIC Manchester runs a 6-month hybrid accelerator for AI-first startups, providing learning, mentoring, networking, and investment opportunities. The programme is open to pre-seed, seed, and Series A startups in health, net zero, and generative AI, and is a key part of the region’s Innovation Accelerator projects.
Manchester Digital – Startup ActivatorManchester Digital’s Startup Activator is a community-driven programme supporting founders from idea to early traction. It offers events, mentorship, and access to a vibrant tech community, helping startups connect with investors, accelerators, and other resources.
University-Led IncubatorsThe University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University both run incubators and enterprise programmes, supporting spinouts and student-led startups with funding, mentorship, and workspace.
Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (TIC Manchester) AI Accelerator
A 6-month hybrid accelerator for AI-first startups, offering mentoring, investment opportunities, and demo days. The program culminates in a showcase event for founders to pitch to investors and the wider community.
ZEBOX UKA global accelerator and coworking hub in Manchester, ZEBOX offers flexible workspace, premium amenities, and exclusive monthly networking events with industry leaders.
Government and Local Authority Initiatives
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)GMCA works closely with Innovate UK and local partners to deliver funding, skills support, and innovation programmes. Their ecosystem-oriented approach focuses on building interconnections and supporting high-growth sectors, including digital, health, and advanced manufacturing.
MIDAS ManchesterMIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, provides guidance and signposting to all relevant funding, grants, and support services for startups. They help founders navigate the landscape of public and private capital, including angel investment, tax relief, and knowledge transfer partnerships.
Combining VC Funding with Non-Dilutive Capital
Manchester founders are increasingly blending VC investment with grants and public funding to extend runway and reduce dilution. For example, a startup might secure a grant from the Innovation Accelerator to fund R&D, while raising a seed round from a local VC to scale operations. Many accelerators and public programmes are designed to make startups more attractive to private investors by de-risking early-stage innovation.
Best Practices:
- Use grants and public loans to fund product development, research, or market validation.
- Leverage accelerator programmes for mentorship, investor introductions, and non-dilutive support.
- Find VCs in our Connect Investor database and approach them with a clear plan for how public funding will accelerate growth and reduce risk.
- Track all funding sources and milestones using a platform like Visible to streamline reporting and investor updates.
Connect With Investors in Manchester Using Visible
At Visible, we often times compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors.
With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible.
- Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect and find a filtered list of Manchester's investors here.
- Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM
- Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors
- Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms
Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here.
