Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Supports Greater Manchester firms through an internal innovation pipeline rather than public application processes.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is the devolved regional authority for ten Greater Manchester boroughs, led by the directly elected mayor. It uses economic development capital to steer business support, innovation, culture, and place-based growth across the city-region.

Its funding mix combines grants and blended finance routes, including GM Advance for advanced manufacturing and materials, the Foundational Economy Innovation Fund, the Greater Manchester Culture Fund 2026-2029, the Collaborate Fund, the Inspire Fund, and the wider Good Growth Fund agenda. The Collaborate Fund can reach GBP 100,000 and the Inspire Fund GBP 2,000, while GM Advance is a GBP 10 million investment fund embedded in the Investment Zone and open to startups and SMEs based in, or relocating to, Greater Manchester.

GMCA is strongest when a project clearly advances the local economy, fits one of its sector plans, and can be delivered within the city-region. Applicants with a practical route to jobs, innovation, skills, or cultural participation tend to align best with its mix of grants and structured investment support.