Partner with us | Business engagement and knowledge exchange

Tailored partnerships

We're proud to partner with some of the largest organisations in the world, along with regional and national SMEs. Browse the case studies below to see examples of how you can:

Tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary research.
Develop new products, processes and services for your organisation.

National Physical Laboratory

We formed a memorandum of understanding with the NPL to collaborate closely on enabling science for net zero, along with life science and health research.

No7

Our 20-year partnership with a leading beauty brand has resulted in skin products that deliver on their promise of anti-ageing.

National Grid

We're partnering with National Grid to help transform the UK’s electricity transition system for future generations.

Cummins Inc.

Via the Innovation Labs, we worked with Cummins Inc. to explore academic expertise within the University and collaborate on new research projects.

Strategic partnerships

"Strategic partnerships with industrial organisations provide significant mutual benefit to both the University and our collaborators. These high-level alliances are governed by overarching agreements and senior stakeholder engagement, supporting alignment of core values as well as strategic priorities."

Dr Louise Bates, Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange

Highlights

750+ organisations supported with their innovation journey (2019-24)

250+ active collaborations

A leading UK university for Knowledge Exchange

£15m Impact Acceleration Account to support collaborative partnerships

Knowledge exchange funding

The University of Manchester holds one of the largest knowledge exchange funding portfolios in the UK, comprised of funding from across the UKRI portfolio.

With it, we support collaborative projects between academics and external organisations. View examples below or find out more about funding opportunities.

Find out more about knowledge exchange funding

Sandon Global Engraving Technologies

We partnered with regional SME and manufacturer Sandon Global, to embed materials science expertise to improve their product performance.

Inov8

Our National Graphene Institute collaborated with sports brand Inov-8 to help develop the world’s first graphene-based shoe.

Kennedys

The University's two-year partnership with law firm Kennedys has used modern data science methodologies to support fraud prevention.

Skin BioTherapeutics

Our research into lysate activity when applied to skin has been used for a new platform developed by SkinBiotherapeutics.

Engaging with research

In a fast-paced landscape, organisations need a competitive edge to thrive. Take a look below at some of the ways that your organisation can engage with academic research and co-create innovation.

Scale-Up Forum

Our Scale-Up Forum is a peer-to-peer network for ambitious businesses at all stages of their growth journeys.

Explore common challenges, share experiences and become part of the University’s innovation ecosystem.

Find out more about the Scale-Up Forum

Manchester Innovation Labs

An effective way to co-develop collaborative projects that address a specific business challenge.

Create research funding proposals, funded PhDs, cross-disciplinary relationships and boost awareness of the benefits of business-academic collaboration.

Get in touch about upcoming Labs

Start a conversation

We will help you to find the right people and expertise you need to solve your business challenges.

Get started with a quick conversation where we’ll learn about your needs and aspirations.
Our business engagement team will work to identify relevant opportunities within our institution.

Partnership for success