Manchester Airport to host UK’s first launchpad for Indian tech SMEs

Manchester Airport will host the UK’s first launchpad for Indian tech SMEs, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being signed between Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, MIDAS, Manchester Airports Group and Indian trade body, Nasscom.

Nasscom, a trade body representing over 3000 tech companies in India, have already delivered a success launchpad scheme in Canada, and the UK scheme will give small Indian firms the opportunity to secure 180 days of rent-free office space at Manchester Airport to establish a UK presence. Participating companies will also be assisted with eco-system connects, introductions across stakeholders and other hand-holding mechanisms to aid in “Faster Go-To-Market”.

Shivendra Singh, Vice President & Head – Global Trade Development, Nasscom said:

“We are thrilled to expand our launchpad program in UK. I am confident that this will provide greater momentum to the Indo-UK trade ties. Specially when the two countries are at an advanced stage of FTA negotiations, this is a positive demonstration to facilitate trade ties on ground. The program will help lower initial setting up cost for smaller tech companies and enhance their credibility in the UK market.”

The signing of the MOU follows Nasscom’s participation in a UK trade visit in September 2022, backed by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade. Seven Indian companies have subsequently set up their operations in Manchester to pilot the launchpad project.

Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS, Greater Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency said,

“It’s brilliant to welcome nasscom’s first UK launchpad to Greater Manchester. India’s ambitions for its tech ecosystem perfectly align with Greater Manchester’s long-term International Strategy and this new agreement has the potential to unlock significant opportunities for collaboration across trade and investment.”

The companies participating in the Nasscom launchpad will be housed within 4M, an office suite at Manchester Airport, where Manchester Airports Group’s digital travel services subsidiary CAVU is also based, along with a number of other businesses.

Chris Woodroofe, Manchester Airport Managing Director, said:

“We know that our airports are key enablers of trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange, through the connectivity they provide. There are already more than 360,000 people a year to travel from our catchment area to India and, as we progress towards re-establishing a direct air route, partnerships like this in key growth sectors will make an important contribution to strengthening our ties with what is a priority market.“