MIDAS Manchester's Inward Investment Agency

Congratulations Rishi Kapoor and team 👏 Fantastic news from one to watch within Greater Manchester's thriving creative, digital and tech scene. It was a pleasure working with North AI during our recent USA visit and we can't wait to see what the future holds for them #watchthisspace #ai

We were delighted to join His Excellency, Hiroshi Suzuki, the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, on a visit to Mizkan Euro Ltd in Rochdale - manufacturing Sarson's vinegar in the heart of Atom Valley. As we continue to build business and cultural links with Greater Manchester and Japan, we can't forget the vital contribution Japan makes to our national dish!

🐝 Exciting news for Greater Manchester! 🏘️ Leaders of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities have backed a £10m investment to launch GM Live Well – a commitment to ensuring great everyday support in every neighbourhood. 🤝 Jointly funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and NHS Greater Manchester, this investment will help build healthier, more connected communities. Half the funding will go directly to the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) sector, empowering them to lead the work within our communities. Read more on this here > https://bit.ly/42see23

Following our recent visit to Texas including the signing of a Friendship Cities agreement between Manchester and Austin, it was great to welcome the UK edition of SXSW to Manchester this afternoon. The SXSW London Roadshow was a valuable opportunity to continue conversations which will lead to action as we bring our city-regions closer together across business and culture. Developed in partnership with BIMM University and Digital Catapult, a series of panels explored a variety of topics which highlighted Greater Manchester’s support for developing and nurturing young talent through initiatives like those offered by Factory International and SharpFutures , plus the importance of creatives choosing the ‘right’ kind of AI to complement their craft. Following a showcase performance from Performers College Northern Ballet School and the screening of a film short by MetFilm, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, rising rapper OneDa, Phil Goddard of PlayXD and Greater Manchester Combined Authority Rebecca Swarray reflected upon Manchester’s recent presence at SXSW in Austin. Drawing parallels between the two city-regions, they reflected on the announcement of a Greater Manchester Music Export Office to facilitate opportunities for musicians on both sides of the pond, and reinforced the city-region’s ambition to protect Manchester’s infrastructure whilst making creative pathways more accessible for all. #creativity #digital #tech #arts #innovation #manchestermeansbusiness

🤝 Stronger links between Manchester and Estonia! 🖥️ On April 15, a delegation of Estonian industrial tech and engineering companies will visit Manchester as part of a UK trade mission, connecting with local businesses in advanced manufacturing, defence, automation, and digitalisation. 📈 Estonia is one of Europe’s most digitally advanced economies, with the highest number of unicorns per capita, offering exciting partnership opportunities for Greater Manchester’s growing tech and industrial sectors. Read more here > https://bit.ly/4iZyrTH

We’re delighted to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, to Manchester for a series of important meetings with civic leaders and private sector partners. These discussions pave the way for exciting collaborations between Greater Manchester and Japan this summer and beyond. To kick off the visit, Jo Ahmed MBE, Honorary Consul of Japan in Manchester, Chair of the Greater Manchester Japan Steering Group, and NW Practice Senior Partner at Deloitte LLP, hosted a welcome dinner. Guests were warmly welcomed with speeches from Councillor Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford and Deputy Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and Ambassador Suzuki. Both spoke about the strong and growing relationship between Greater Manchester and Japan, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

We had a fantastic morning at the #CityTour ran by CityCo & Manchester City Centre BID (Accommodation BID delivery partner) where we learnt more about the NOMA Estate to Victoria North - Manchester’s developing riverside neighbourhood. It was great to see future projects underway with Victoria North encompassing a civic New Town with 4,400 new homes, squares and green spaces including St Catherine’s Wood. Red Bank Viadcut area will also feature a primary school, and a restaurant lined Union Waterfront. We also enjoyed finding out about projects at Altogether Otherwise Limited and gardening ran by #PlantMCR. Exciting to find out more about the developments with Far East Consortium International Ltd/HK (FET) and Manchester City Council in NOMA. #citytour #capitalinvestment #MIDAS

📢 Read April's edition of MIDAS Monthly, uncovering the top news from across the region! 🖥️ To get yours early, delivered straight to your inbox sign up here > https://bit.ly/4d8f0oL

🌟 Shape the Future of Talent in Greater Manchester! T Level placements offer a powerful way to nurture the next generation of skilled professionals. These two-year courses for 16-19-year-olds blend 80% classroom learning with 20% real-world industry experience, giving students at least 45 days of hands-on training with employers. 📣 Calling all businesses: Here’s your chance to invest in your future while shaping theirs! Find out more here > https://bit.ly/4ji3xpx

🏆 Manchester to Host ECSS 2027! Exciting news as Manchester has been chosen to host the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) Annual Congress in 2027! This major event will bring together global experts to showcase the latest in sport and exercise science. 🏅 Led by the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport alongside Marketing Manchester, this win reinforces the city’s reputation as a leader in: ✔️ Sport innovation ✔️ Community health ✔️ Human performance Victoria Braddock Managing Director of Marketing Manchester said: This win is a result of a collaborative effort, demonstrating the strength of our city’s partnerships. Manchester’s world-class conference facilities, coupled with the academic expertise of The Manchester Metropolitan University, provide the perfect environment for this globally significant event.”" A huge milestone for Manchester and the future of sport science! Read more > https://bit.ly/3RBBNjC