Prolific North is launching a new initiative designed to celebrate the tech pioneers powering economic growth across the North, with Greater Manchester as the first focus region.
The GRAFT Regional Champions programme will spotlight and examine the people, businesses, and innovations driving Greater Manchester’s fast-growing tech economy.
Backed by Vista Insurance and accountancy firm MHA, the initiative will include a deep dive editorial series across 2026 exploring the state of Greater Manchester’s tech landscape.
That coverage will examine where growth is accelerating, from start-ups and scale-ups to the talent pipeline, state of funding and the region’s rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
An invite-only roundtable event will also be hosted in the coming months, bringing together tech leaders, advisers and ecosystem builders to debate Greater Manchester’s biggest tech opportunities and most pressing challenges.
Ben Waterhouse, Commercial Director at Prolific North, said the initiative aims to provide focused and sustained recognition for a sector that continues to gather momentum.
“We’re launching GRAFT Regional Champions to recognise the tech businesses and leaders driving real innovation and economic growth across Greater Manchester.
“There’s extraordinary work happening here — from scaling startups to globally ambitious tech firms — and it deserves focused, sustained recognition. This initiative is about celebrating those shaping the region’s tech economy and reinforcing Greater Manchester’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic digital hubs.”
Darci Edwards, Head of Technology and Life Science at Vista Insurance Brokers, said of the partnership: “Greater Manchester’s tech and life science businesses are building world‑class innovation, and we’re proud to play a small but important role in helping them grow with confidence.
“Becoming a GRAFT Greater Manchester Regional Champion puts Vista right at the heart of that ecosystem – in the rooms with founders, investors and scale‑up leaders where the next big ideas are taking shape. This partnership isn’t just about brand visibility; it’s about being a long‑term risk partner to the region’s innovation economy, so brilliant teams can focus on building, scaling and changing the world, knowing we’ve got their backs.”
Michelle Mullany, Deal Origination – Corporate Finance at MHA, said: “I love the energy of the tech sector across GM and we want to work side by side with businesses to support them from scaling right through to exit.”
Russell Cooper, MHA Audit Partner, added: “At MHA we’re proud to support the continued growth of the technology sector across Greater Manchester. Through high-quality audit, robust financial reporting and proactive tax compliance support, we help ambitious tech businesses build strong foundations and scale with confidence.”
While the programme launches in Greater Manchester, Prolific North will soon unveil further regional tech spotlights, with the Liverpool City Region and the North East next in line.
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