A partnership to connect tech innovation and drive investment in Manchester and Cambridge has received mayoral backing.
The partnership, which is between Innovate Cambridge and ID Manchester, will create physical hubs in each city and connect entrepreneurs, researchers and investors.
It will focus on boosting growth in key sectors including AI, advanced materials, health, biotech and digital tech.
The initiative will map the connections between the two tech ecosystems and build on the existing ties between the two cities.
Tabitha Goldstaub, executive director of Innovate Cambridge, described the partnership as a “win-win for both cities and the businesses operating in them” and will make the two cities “greater than the sum of our parts”.
The partnership will start this month and will work with the Department for Business and Trade.
Innovate Cambridge is an initiative created by Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital and the University of Cambridge in 2022 that aims to drive economic growth in the Greater Cambridgeshire region.
ID Manchester is a joint venture between the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, an office and laboratory space provider.
The partnership has received the support of the mayors of Greater Manchester and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Andy Burnham and Nik Johnson.
“Greater Manchester and Cambridge are recognised globally as hubs for innovation,” said Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester. “The partnership between ID Manchester and Innovate Cambridge can help us strengthen ties between our places, linking the pioneering research and outstanding businesses present in each.”
It has also been backed by Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig and Cambridge City Council leader Mike Davey.
Manchester and Cambridge build on tech ties
Manchester and Cambridge already have close ties when it comes to tech.
Chip designer Arm, vaccine maker AstraZeneca and streaming company Roku are among the companies with dual locations in Manchester and Cambridge.
Both cities have strengths in academia, with Manchester home to 96,200 students and Cambridge home to 27,515.
Manchester is the largest tech hub outside of London and the South East, with companies across the city region raising £532m in funding in 2022.
Meanwhile, Cambridge has produced 23 unicorn companies – private tech companies valued at $1bn or more. It has a robust spinout ecosystem, with the University of Cambridge creating 54 companies between 2012 and 2022, according to data from Beauhurst.
“Both partners have exceptional science and tech assets and ecosystems, including their globally renowned academic institutions, underpinned by our shared ambitions to deliver a more inclusive model of innovation,” said Lou Cordwell, Director of ID Manchester.
“Our joint commitment to collaborating on this agenda will help ensure our respective local communities feel the positive economic and social impact of this growth whilst also helping to power the UK’s success as a science superpower.”
Earlier this week the University of Cambridge announced a new programme supporting tech founders that will be led by former Tech Nation CEO Gerard Grech.
Read more: Greater Manchester regional tech report