Innovation and Enterprise

pro.manchester has committed to boosting the levels of business in Greater Manchester, and increasing the number of entrepreneurs living and working here. This means creating the right environment for entrepreneurs to flourish.  Feedback from firms however suggests that they are experiencing difficulties accessing (affordable) finance in the current economic climate.

As the economy emerges from recession, access to growth capital may become even more difficult. pro.manchester has agreed to undertake a study and review programme in this area as part of the Commission for the New Economy Discussion paper series.

The recently announced NWDA VCLF initiative worth some £185m has created the most comprehensive venture capital and loan find initiative in Europe. EU restrictions  on sectors and investment criteria have flagged additional investment opportunities which will be examined by the report.

Call For Evidence

The proposal sets out the issues on which the review team would particularly welcome responses, although responses on any issues felt relevant to “the Equity Funding and Associated Support for Entrepreneurs in the Manchester City Region

We are committed to ensuring that the review is an open and transparent process that takes full account of the views of its contributors. As such pro.manchester invites you, or an appropriate colleague, to submit evidence to the review team.In the call for evidence document the issues on which we would like to hear your views have been outlined. Your input and the evidence you can provide will be of great value to the review team in developing a strong evidence base through the review process.

Please click here for the Call For Evidence Questionnaire