New funding has been awarded to boost the innovation ecosystem and support innovative businesses, start-ups, and scale-ups in MediaCity.
The funding has been awarded to MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub (MITIH) and will aim to encourage further collaboration between businesses, research institutions and local government.
The one-year investment also includes a grant which is part of a £30m funding extension of Innovate UK’s Innovation Accelerator (IA) programme.
The programme will focus on locally led innovation to drive economic growth and technological advancement in three key regions – Greater Manchester, Glasgow City Region, and the West Midlands.
MITIH was launched in 2023 to rejuvenate the region’s innovation ecosystem through collaboration, co-investment, and partnerships.
The aim of the launch in 2023, was to provide innovators and businesses with access to expertise, funding and state-of-the-art technologies and facilities.
Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester said: “I am delighted that through The Landing company, Salford City Council colleagues will continue to play a pivotal role in leading, fostering, and supporting innovation through the use of immersive and creative technologies across many sectors of Greater Manchester’s economy.
“MITIH’s success in revitalising the innovation ecosystem at MediaCity and supporting creative businesses across the city region exemplifies true collaboration and proves the power of devolution.
“I welcome the confidence the Government has placed in us through this extension and look forward to working with businesses, and local and national Government colleagues, to shape a robust Industrial Strategy that reflects the importance of the creative and cultural industries, not only for Salford and Greater Manchester, but for the whole of the north of England.”
MITIH has been supported over 250 businesses, channelled more than £1million into twenty-six innovative projects, employing 99 staff and 77 subcontractors, and launched a new innovation lab which has assisted more than 50 businesses and artists.
As Anthony Hatton, MITIH Programme Director, The Landing at MediaCityUK said: “The new funding will allow us to continue to support entrepreneurs and innovators and grow our creative economy.
“We’ve already worked with hundreds of creative and digital businesses to connect them with fellow professionals, test and develop their ideas and to bring their innovations to market.
“We aim to increase our impact by leveraging local assets and national programmes, such those delivered by the CoSTAR and Creative UK Enterprise teams, to offer local businesses the technical and research expertise and access to state-of-the-art facilities at MediaCity and across Greater Manchester to maximise their economic opportunities.”
And this financial will follow the launch of the Cultural Accelerator programme, which has supported eleven digital artists.
The programme has also reached more than 4,000 people through partnerships in events across the animation, broadcast, media production, music, audio, immersive experience, games, advertising, marketing, built environment, health, and education sectors.
Martin Chown, Interim Managing Director, MediaCity, added: “Innovation is embedded in the fabric of MediaCity and the continued presence of MITIH is crucial to its long-term success as the UK home of immersive media.
“The next cohort of innovators, technologists and creators will break boundaries on a global scale and we’re proud to support their presence here.”
Any companies or talented individuals who wish to take part in or contribute to the programme can contact the MITIH team here.
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