Exchange Drives Manchester’s Next Wave of High-Growth Tech Businesses

Our tech accelerator programme, Exchange continues to power Manchester’s next generation of tech innovators, with new graduates and alumni scaling fast at Campfield, the city’s landmark innovation campus.

Since launching in 2020, Exchange has helped more than 200 businesses and 1,000 founders secure over £15 million in local funding and raise a further £78 million globally. Earlier this year, the programme expanded into Department Campfield to give the 39 founders on the latest cohort the space to grow.

The startups on the Exchange programme receive more than mentorship – they gain a home. Department Campfield provides flexible workspaces and a thriving founder community, allowing businesses to secure investment, scale teams and stay rooted in Manchester as they mature.

This supportive environment is already fuelling real success, fintech pioneer Credit Canary, social media disruptor Orrest Digital, and foodservice marketing specialist Omni Agency have all scaled rapidly – securing investment, growing their teams and taking permanent office space within Campfield’s dynamic innovation campus.

• Credit Canary – Founded to help lenders onboard customers using AI, Credit Canary joined Exchange to accelerate investment readiness. With Exchange’s support, Chief Operating Officer Shaun Adams has grown the team to eight and is now preparing for a Series A raise.
• Orrest Digital – Created by Henry Jacab, Orrest Digital delivers cutting-edge social media strategies for convenience retailers. After graduating from the Startup programme, the team of four joined Exchange’s brand-new Growth Programme and moved into dedicated office space at Campfield to power their next phase.
• Omni Agency – Starting with resident desks at Bonded Warehouse, Omni Agency harnessed the Exchange network to grow into a team of eight, specialising in marketing for the foodservice industry. They now occupy a private office suite at Campfield, enabling closer collaboration with clients and partners

Exchange has also recently launched a Growth Programme, which runs in tandem with the Exchange Startup Programme. As part of this launch, the team welcomed 12 founding members to become part of the Exchange Growth Cohort. Over the next 12 months, these founders will develop their scale-up strategies at Campfield, supported through group and 1:1 coaching, industry leader panel talks, crowdfunding campaigns and fireside chats with influential speakers, all designed to keep the founder journey at the heart of the experience.

The Growth Cohort marks a significant evolution for Exchange, delivered in close partnership with Manchester City Council. Central to the Council’s Culture in the City initiative and backed by the UK Government, this collaboration highlights Exchange’s vital role in supporting creative and digital innovation across Manchester. The unique accelerator will focus on supporting businesses who want to scale operations, increase revenue and secure growth capital. 

Rich Jones, Head of Exchange, said: “Exchange is about turning ambition into impact,” said “We’re creating a community where startups don’t just survive – they thrive. Seeing founders grow from a single desk to a fully-fledged office in Campfield is exactly why we exist. By nurturing businesses from their earliest days and supporting them through every stage of growth, we’re building a sustainable ecosystem that keeps talent and investment in the city”

Shaun Adams, Chief Operating Officer at Credit Canary, said: “Having a space where our team can work collaboratively and where we can bring clients to has been an absolute game changer for us.”

Applications are now open for the next cohort of startups. Visit www.exchange-programme.com to learn more and join Manchester’s next generation of innovators.