GM Innovation Expo 2026

Greater Manchester's flagship annual innovation event, at Manchester Central, bringing SMEs, startups, universities, investors, policymakers and the region's business support organisations into one hall. The day runs innovation showcases from some of the region's more interesting businesses, live demonstrations across AI, advanced manufacturing, green technologies, life sciences and emerging sectors, speaker sessions on where innovation is heading, and structured networking rather than the open-floor sort. Funding and support organisations are present with information on what is actually available. Half nine to half three, Windmill Street. Why go: it is the one day a year when the region's innovation funders, universities and support agencies are all in the same building and reachable without a diary request. Best for founders looking for grant funding or a university partner, and for anyone mapping the Greater Manchester support landscape.