University of Manchester Innovation Festival

The University of Manchester is bringing together researchers, students, entrepreneurs, industry partners, investors and civic leaders for its first Innovation Festival, taking place from 5–9 October 2026.  

Across the week, you’ll be able to connect with leading innovators, academic experts and entrepreneurial students, discover emerging innovations and technology, explore partnership opportunities and join the conversation about how Manchester ideas are creating real-world impact.

Event highlights:

• Launch event: Building impact through innovation, from Manchester for the world
  Explore Manchester’s renewed role in UK innovation and politics – and the challenges and priorities in making the University the most innovative in Europe by 2035.  
• Manchester to market 

Showcasing The University of Manchester Innovation Factory’s most exciting intellectual property commercialisation opportunities.

• Powerhouse of innovation showcase 

Drop-in for networking, discovery and collaboration, bringing together innovation-focused activities from across the University.

• Manchester venture builder demo day 2026   

Hear live pitches, discover emerging ventures and meet the next generation of Manchester founders. Connecting investors, mentors, partners, alumni and Manchester’s wider innovation community to explore opportunities. 

• Coller AI competition 

In the final of the Coller AI competition – championing responsible AI solutions to real-world challenges – University of Manchester AI startups pitch live to secure a £100,000 equity investment from The Jeremy Coller Foundation.