Fully funded accelerator Spark Salford seeks ambitious SMEs to join first cohort

A new fully funded accelerator, Spark Salford, has launched to help growth-stage SMEs strengthen their business foundations, adopt transformative technologies such as AI and automation, and prepare for investment.

The 12-week programme offers expert mentorship, access to innovation labs, tailored workshops, and curated introductions to investors. Covering sectors including fashion, food and drink, consumer tech, retail, manufacturing, healthtech, proptech, edtech and professional services, Spark Salford is designed to give SMEs the tools, networks, and confidence to scale.

Local businesses are invited to find out more at the breakfast recruitment event on 2 October, 8:30–11am, at HOST in MediaCityUK. The event will also feature a panel of technology experts including James Akrigg, who spent 18 years at Microsoft, and Maxwell Boardman is the founder and CTO of Immersify Education. They’ll share insights on the opportunities digitalisation can bring, alongside entrepreneurs who have successfully grown their businesses through innovation.

You can register to the event and submit an expression of interest form here.