The Cambridge x Manchester Partnership Innovation Summit

Two Cities. One Mission. To supercharge innovation-led growth.

The Cambridge x Manchester Partnership presents the Innovation Summit as part of the University of Manchester Innovation Festival on 8 October 2026.

At a time when innovation-led growth, devolution and regional collaboration are increasingly shaping the national agenda, the Summit will bring together founders, researchers, corporates, investors, policymakers and civic leaders to explore a simple but important question:

What does a genuinely world-class innovation ecosystem require, and what is Britain still missing?

The Cambridge x Manchester Partnership was created to demonstrate how two of the UK's most powerful and complementary innovation ecosystems can achieve more by working together than by competing. Bringing together expertise, talent, investment and industry from across both cities, the Partnership is building a practical model for innovation-led growth that can be replicated elsewhere in the UK.

Through keynote speakers, panel discussions, sector showcases and networking opportunities, participants will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the UK's innovation economy and hear from those working at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, investment and policy.