University of Salford innovation centre secures £2.5m and supports 330 local businesses

More than 330 businesses across Greater Manchester have been supported to grow, innovate and improve productivity through the University of Salford’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI), which is marking two years since its launch.

Established in 2024, the Centre for Sustainable Innovation was created to give small and medium-sized enterprises access to university expertise, specialist facilities and funding opportunities that are often out of reach for growing businesses. Since opening, the centre has secured more than £2.5 million in external funding to deliver direct support to SMEs across the region.

The programme has helped businesses develop new products, test ideas, improve operational processes and embed more sustainable business models. According to the university, this support has contributed to the creation of 30 new innovations, strengthened leadership and management capability, and enabled firms to move into longer-term growth activity, supporting jobs, skills development and investment across Greater Manchester.

One business to benefit is Lagan’s Healthcare, a Bolton-based provider of training for paid carers and nurses working in residential and community care settings. Founder Carren Bell worked with the centre to develop leadership and management skills before progressing a new spin-off idea. With access to specialist innovation support and funding guidance, the business secured more than £10,000 to develop a prototype, helping transform an early-stage concept into a product with commercial potential.

Another beneficiary is AJAX Equipment, also based in Bolton, which designs and manufactures bespoke solids handling and processing machinery for global markets. Over the past two years, the company has worked with CSI to strengthen its strategic foundations, introduce new machinery, improve internal processes and boost operational efficiency. The collaboration is now supporting further exploration of automation and innovation opportunities to drive long-term growth.

Sara Boswell, director of the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, said the centre’s second year had seen rapid progress against its original ambitions.

“When we launched in 2024, our goal was to create a leading hub for sustainable business and digital transformation, giving SMEs access to the expertise, facilities and technologies they need to innovate and grow,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision translating into tangible benefits for businesses across Salford and the wider region.”

Boswell added that the centre’s strength lies in supporting organisations through every stage of their development. “From building leadership and management capability, to developing new innovations, accessing grant funding and forming knowledge transfer partnerships, we’re already seeing the difference this work is making across Greater Manchester,” she said.

Alongside its direct work with businesses, CSI collaborates closely with industry, government and academic partners to ensure innovation and investment remain rooted in the region. Partners include Salford City Council, Microsoft, Barclays, Siemens, the Northern Automotive Alliance, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and The Growth Company.

The University of Salford said the centre’s early success demonstrates the role universities can play in driving regional productivity and sustainable economic growth, particularly by helping smaller businesses overcome barriers to innovation and investment.

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University of Salford innovation centre secures £2.5m and supports 330 local businesses