Partnership is how we move faster and go further
We co-create research projects and AI solutions with businesses, public sector and HE organisations, charities, and global partners – aligning our expertise, data, infrastructure, and people with your needs to deliver measurable impact.
Joint research and innovation projects
Consultancy
Access to equipment and facilities
Knowledge transfer partnerships and secondments
For businesses - from Manchester, for the world
Accelerate your project
Whether you’re a start-up, scale-up, or global enterprise, we help you innovate – de-risking R&D, accelerating product development and building competitive advantage.
And it’s not just us that you should be looking to invest in; we’re proud to be at the heart of Greater Manchester’s digital economy – the fastest growing in Europe – with over £500m invested in companies in the region in 2022 and nearly 70,000 jobs in the creative, digital and tech sector alone.
Unlocking our resources: three unrivalled capabilities
Let us catalyse your growth.
We are home to three units, dedicated to fuelling innovation, and who offer:
- Access to our community of researchers and innovators
- Start-up and seed funding, to get your ideas off the ground
- Training and events specifically for founders and professionals
- Applied R&D and prototyping
- Licensing and IP commercialisation
- Consultancy and expert advice
- Access to talent: placements, internships, and recruitment
Turing Innovation Catalyst
Launched in 2023, the Turing Innovation Catalyst is driving the growth of the AI ecosystem across Greater Manchester.
Unit M
Unit M is a front door to our world-famous talent, ideas and resources, creating new ways to partner and make new connections.
The University of Manchester Innovation Factory
Turning IP into impact – we use the IP developed at the University to create positive social, economic and environmental impact.
For academics – a vibrant, collaborative research community
Join forces with our researchers
We welcome enquiries and interest from our own academics and academic colleagues from other higher education institutions around the world.
If you are interested in our research, collaborating with one of our researchers or would simply like to find out more about AI-related activities at The University of Manchester then please reach out to us.
Opportunities and support
- Joint grants and consortia across disciplines and institutions
- Visiting fellowships and sabbaticals
- Shared datasets, methods and infrastructure
- Career development: training, leadership programmes, and mentoring
Will you accept the challenge?
Help deliver real-world change
Whether it’s unlocking student potential, fuelling research discoveries or backing bold ideas, you can support a fairer AI-integrated world by working with our giving team.
We stand at a defining moment. Climate change, inequity, and health challenges demand action. This isn't the first time Manchester has risen to the moment but now we need your backing. Challenge accepted?
Talk to us
Accelerate your R&D
- Leverage our expertise, facilities and network to develop solutions to your challenges.
- Gain access to some of the brightest minds working across our research pathways to help you make change happen.
Drive change through philanthropy
- With your partnership, we can scale transformative research, catalyse innovation and empower the brightest minds to lead change.
- Discover opportunities to invest in a cause aligned with your values.
Collaborate with our researchers
- Use Research Explorer to access publications, activities and more.
- Search researcher profiles and connect with fellow experts.
