Manchester & Galway hubs forge start-up expansion pact

Sister, Manchester's £1.7bn innovation district, and Platform94, an innovation hub in Galway, have signed a 12-month memorandum of understanding to support start-ups expanding between the UK and Ireland.

The agreement offers reciprocal workspace access for customers of both organisations, along with structured knowledge sharing and market-entry guidance. It is aimed at founders and early-stage teams travelling between Greater Manchester and the West of Ireland.

Workspace access

Customers of Sister and Platform94 will be able to book desks for free on a short-term basis at the partner site. Both organisations position the offer as a practical base for visiting founders meeting local partners, potential customers and investors.

The MoU also sets out a programme of knowledge exchange between the two ecosystems, centred on collaboration across networks of technology firms, advisers and sector specialists connected to each hub.

It also covers market-entry support for companies scaling into the other market, focusing on early-stage steps such as landing arrangements, introductions and guidance on navigating local business networks.

Manchester-Galway links

The partnership connects two regions that have positioned themselves for technology-led growth. Manchester has attracted a large cluster of digital businesses in recent years, while Galway has built a strong medtech footprint supported by multinational employers and local supply chains.

Manchester is widely viewed as the UK's largest tech hub outside London. Sister, which launched in 2024, says it has supported more than 50 growing start-ups across AI, sustainability, healthtech and advanced materials.

In Galway, eight of the world's top 10 medtech companies have operations, including Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Platform94 traces its origins to 1994 and says it has expanded to 11 times its original size. It says it has supported more than 500 companies on site, associated with more than 4,500 jobs and more than €2bn in gross value added for the regional economy.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, linked the MoU to wider trade engagement with Ireland and the presence of Irish firms in the city region.

"Both Greater Manchester and Galway are home to thriving digital and tech sectors, with shared strengths in areas like AI and medical technologies. During our recent trade mission to Ireland we explored opportunities for further collaboration and it's great to see those discussions result in this partnership, which is all about helping innovative companies work together and access new markets," Burnham said.

"Many Irish companies have chosen Greater Manchester as their UK base. By strengthening our offer, we can make that process more straightforward for the next wave of businesses looking to expand here, bringing more investment and more jobs to our city region," he added.

Manchester City Council leader Cllr Bev Craig said the agreement built on long-standing connections between Manchester and Ireland and could reduce barriers for firms expanding across the Irish Sea.

"Manchester and Ireland share a deep connection that goes back centuries, and moments like this show how that relationship continues to deliver real economic value for both regions. Sister is establishing itself as a globally connected innovation district, and this signing with Platform94 reflects that. Irish businesses are drawn to Manchester for our innovation ecosystem and access to world-class talent. By connecting two leading innovation hubs, we're making it easier for ambitious companies on both sides to collaborate, share expertise and scale successfully while creating opportunities for our residents," Craig said.

Support model

Sister director of place Liz Bamber described the relationship as broader than a desk-sharing arrangement and pointed to links with the University of Manchester through its innovation arm, Unit M.

She said, "This partnership is more than sharing desks; it's about supporting businesses to grow and expand, and share talent, ideas and ambition. By linking Sister and Platform94, we are creating a frictionless environment for entrepreneurs to scale across borders, enter new markets and leverage industry experts. The University of Manchester's world-class talent and resources will also be connected through its dedicated innovation arm, Unit M. Ultimately, we are forging a path where we can benefit from each other's unique regional specialisms."

Platform94 chief executive Marie Donnellan highlighted the cost of international expansion as a key issue for founders, and said the MoU is intended to reduce early-stage overheads and uncertainty when entering a new market.

"80% of our community leaders are targeting new or continued growth in the UK over the next 12 months. While ambition is strong, the cost of expansion remains the number one challenge for founders scaling internationally. This partnership directly addresses that reality by reducing friction at the earliest stages of market entry - providing trusted space on the ground, access to local networks and practical support that helps companies test, land and scale with confidence. By connecting Galway and Manchester, we're creating a tangible pathway for ambitious businesses to move faster, collaborate more deeply and unlock new opportunities on both sides," Donnellan said.

To mark the signing, Sister hosted a showcase event for Platform94 customers currently scaling into the UK market. Companies featured included Galvia, Buymedia and SlickPlus. The two hubs said the firms are expected to be among the first to use the reciprocal access and expanded network links during the 12-month agreement.