Greater Manchester’s tech sector is ramping up global ambition, with more than a third of innovators (37.5%) planning to expand into markets including the US and EMEA over the next 12 months, according to new Tech Climbers data.
The findings come as Greater Manchester Tech Climbers marks its third year, recording its highest-ever influx of newcomers. Almost three-quarters of entrants (73.6%) were first-timers – a 10% rise on last year – signalling growing momentum behind the city-region’s innovation economy.
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The data suggests Greater Manchester is beginning to deliver on the aspirations of the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025–35, with businesses adopting new technology, creating jobs and driving inclusive growth. Almost nine in ten entrants are already powered by AI, a 14% jump on last year. A recent Turing Innovation Catalyst report valued Greater Manchester-based AI companies at $4.2bn – more than five times their 2020 valuation.
Health tech was among the standout growth areas, coinciding with the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund’s pledge to support a £20m expansion of new office and lab space at Sister, including 81,000 sq ft of new lab facilities on Upper Brook Street.
Innovation is also spreading beyond the city centre, with almost one in five entrants now based elsewhere in the region – a key priority of the region’s new economic strategy.
Collectively, startups expect to create 197 jobs over the next year. More than a quarter (26%) forecast revenues above £1m, while 76% are less than two years old and 26% remain bootstrapped. Three-quarters are actively seeking funding, primarily from angels or VCs, although more than half (56%) cite access to finance as their biggest barrier to growth.
Eleven companies secured a place on the 2025 Greater Manchester Tech Climbers list, with a further 10 named as Ones to Watch. Winners were unveiled at Cloud23 in Manchester before an audience of founders, investors and supporters. The list, judged by project partners and sector experts, assesses entrants on investment, impact and innovation.
Among those recognised were Vivify Venues, which helps schools generate extra income by renting out facilities, and Ones to Watch entrant Koku Health, a university spin-out turning academic research into an NHS-recognised SaaS product.
Anna Heyes, Founder of Tech Climbers, said: “This is our third year in Manchester and perhaps the most transformative yet, as we can really see our entrant data marrying up with the ambitions of the region. With almost all of this year’s businesses using AI in some capacity, and over a third looking to internationalise, Manchester is out in front in terms of competing on a global stage. I
“It’s encouraging to see how the region’s ecosystem is already delivering on the ambitions set out by the Greater Manchester Strategy, and this will only grow, particularly with the help of public funds like the Greater Manchester Growth Fund directly targeting our knowledge and innovation sectors.”
Liz Scott MBE, Executive Director at the Turing Innovation Catalyst, said: “We are one of the ecosystem partners for this year’s Manchester Tech Climbers and it’s really encouraging to see almost all the businesses on the list using AI to propel themselves forward. One thing that is clear to me is that the intersection of higher education, the private sector, and local and national government has become the foundation of the city region’s success.
“From facilitating innovative research and commercialisation to attracting investment and creating skilled job opportunities, Greater Manchester is a city region that leads by example.”
James Chapman, Co-Founder of 2025 Greater Manchester Tech Climber Decently, said: “Greater Manchester is the best place to start a business, and platforms like Tech Climbers really showcase that. We’re based at Campfield in the city centre, and we have a front-row seat to the collaborative and supportive nature of the ecosystem here.
“As one of the 16% of health-tech businesses that entered this year, it’s really empowering to see public funds allocated to growing our sector, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
