University launches Unit M to supercharge inclusive growth

08 Oct 2024

Launching today, Unit M is designed to drive regional innovation as an immediate step to solve the UK’s growth and productivity challenge

• New specialist function will transform how the University partners with startups, scale ups and industry to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem

The University is today launching a new capability, Unit M, to rethink how we support the region’s innovation economy. With a mandate to drive the University’s new approach to innovation, Unit M will connect and catalyse the innovation ecosystem in Manchester and the wider region to accelerate inclusive growth.

The UK faces a myriad of interlinked urgent economic and social challenges which require faster and more inclusive growth across all parts of the country. Cities like Manchester, as the UK’s second largest city, are critical to rebalancing growth - but lower productivity, R&D spend and startup activity currently hinder the region in achieving its full potential. 

“The transformative potential of fully embracing innovation cannot be understated, both for the region and for the UK more widely” says President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.  “Unit M lies at the heart of the University’s ambition to power an inclusive economy, positioning Manchester as a central player on the global stage to accelerate growth for all in society.”

Unit M is designed to address all aspects of the innovation challenge - from R&D through to innovation adoption through to talent and skills - by making the world leading  innovation assets and talents of the University more accessible to all. Unit M will drive a new strategy for the University to create a globally leading innovation ecosystem in the region. This will encompass powering the start up and scale up community, catalysing industry clusters, leading future skills provision, strengthening the University’s partnerships within the region, and telling Manchester’s innovation story.  

Examples of some of the activities that Unit M will undertake include:

• Creating accelerator and incubator programmes and building investor networks for the startup and scale up community;
• Developing regional innovation clusters and innovation partnerships to attract new innovation-intensive businesses to the region;
• A new lifelong approach to skills - from expanding scientific/technological skills provision for students, to training executive leaders on innovation adoption;
• Rethinking the University’s approach to R&D to be more flexible and responsive to industry demand

Unit M will have the agility to operate dynamically in response to the most impactful opportunities as they emerge - whether that’s connecting students into the ecosystem or drawing on expertise from across the whole University to help solve real world challenges from industry. 

“Manchester has experienced major change over the past 30 years, but not everyone has benefited from rising prosperity”, said Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. “Now, more than ever, we need to pioneer a new model of regional collaboration that harnesses our industrial strengths and innovation capabilities. Unit M will not only foster inclusive growth throughout Greater Manchester, but contribute to the broader prosperity of the UK.”

Unit M is live from today, and will be rapidly scaling over the coming months. The team is seeking to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, changemakers and business leaders who are interested in partnering with the University.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester has always been a hotbed of innovation. Building on our existing strengths is vital to Manchester, and Greater Manchester, accelerating our growth at scale to generate more jobs and investment. With Unit M, The University of Manchester is doing exactly that - doubling down on innovation while encouraging even more collaboration with our business community. Further strengthening the city's innovation ecosystem will help create jobs, investment and growth that works for everyone."

Unit M will align with and complement existing capabilities across the University, including the University’s tech transfer office, The Innovation Factory,  The Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology and the Turing Innovation Catalyst and its sector leading business engagement, student entrepreneurship, and flexible learning teams. It will also partner closely with external capabilities, including the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), local councils and other institutions.  

By convening these existing innovation services across the University and its key strategic partners, Unit M will accelerate and drive the development of new opportunities to build a strong innovation economy throughout the region.

More information

• For more information and to stay in touch for updates visit the Unit M webpages