GM Advance — Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Investment Fund

GM Advance

Invests in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom advanced manufacturing and materials firms through subsidized finance for growth and relocation.

GM Advance is a £10 million investment fund established by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to support advanced manufacturing and materials companies operating in, or planning to relocate to, Greater Manchester. The fund addresses a recognized gap in gateway financing for innovation and product development in the sector, offering a range of subsidised financial products designed to help businesses grow more quickly than they could through conventional routes. GM Advance forms a central component of Greater Manchester's Investment Zone, a broader £160 million, ten-year initiative to develop the city-region's advanced manufacturing and materials base.

Eligibility extends from new start-ups through to established small and medium-sized enterprises, provided the applicant is based in Greater Manchester or has tangible, documented plans to relocate or expand operations into the region. Two application routes are available: a general application form covering most of the fund's financial products, and a dedicated Micro Equity application for equity-linked support. Completed forms are submitted by email to GMCA's investment team. Subsidy calculations follow the principles set out in GMCA's published subsidy-control scoring document.

GM Advance does not operate fixed annual competition rounds; applications may be submitted on an ongoing basis, and GMCA has not published specific award-round deadlines for the fund. The range of products encompasses different types of financial support calibrated to company stage and project need, with subsidised terms distinguishing the fund from standard commercial lending. Applicants seeking initial guidance on project eligibility can consult GMCA's published application guidance document before submitting.