Sister & Guinness Enterprise Centre back startup bridge

Sister and the Guinness Enterprise Centre have signed a 12-month memorandum of understanding to support startups expanding between Manchester and Dublin. The agreement links two established innovation hubs in the UK and Ireland.

It focuses on reciprocal desk access, market-entry support and shared networks for early-stage companies seeking to establish a presence overseas. Founders from each location will be able to use short-term workspace at the partner site and tap local contacts as they test new markets.

The partnership builds on commercial links between Greater Manchester and Dublin, reinforced during a trade mission to the Irish capital. It is intended to create more direct pathways for businesses looking to expand across the Irish Sea.

Sister, an innovation district in Manchester backed by a £1.7 billion investment, has supported more than 80 startups since launching in 2024. The district focuses on sectors including artificial intelligence, climate technology and health technology.

The Guinness Enterprise Centre, based in Dublin, has supported more than 1,500 startups over 25 years. Its 160 resident businesses recorded combined turnover of €140 million in 2025 and exports of €73 million.

The agreement adds another Irish link for Sister, following a separate partnership with Galway-based Platform94 earlier this year. Irish businesses already working within its network include adtech company Buymedia and sports technology firm ClubZap.

Market access

Under the memorandum, the two organisations plan to offer launch events for new residents taking permanent space and provide access to each other's networks. The aim is to reduce the cost and practical barriers young companies often face when entering a new country.

Manchester is the largest technology hub in the UK outside London, according to the organisations behind the agreement, while Dublin remains a key European base for large technology groups clustered around the Silicon Docks area. The arrangement is designed to use those established ecosystems to help smaller businesses gain a foothold in the other market.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said the agreement reflects wider economic ties between the city-region and Ireland.

"The Republic of Ireland is an important partner of Greater Manchester and our relationship continues to go from strength to strength.

"During last year's trade mission, I had the opportunity to visit the Guinness Enterprise Centre and meet some of the startups it supports. This partnership with our growing innovation ecosystem at Sister will help unlock growth for businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea and strengthen the economic ties between Greater Manchester and Dublin."

Local networks

Liz Bamber, Director of Place at Sister, said Dublin companies entering Manchester through the partnership would be able to connect with the University of Manchester's innovation arm, Unit M, alongside Sister's wider contacts.

"This partnership is creating a direct bridge between two of Europe's most exciting tech ecosystems. It's more than desk sharing - it's about forging connections that help founders scale faster, access new markets and unlock new investment opportunities.

"Through Sister, Dublin-based businesses can access world-class talent and support through the University of Manchester's innovation arm, Unit M, as well as our wider network. We're excited to deepen our ties to Ireland and power international startup growth."

Niamh Collins, Centre Director at the Guinness Enterprise Centre, said the arrangement would give Dublin founders a practical base in Manchester while also opening opportunities in Ireland for companies from the North West of England.

"At the Guinness Enterprise Centre, we want to help our resident companies find success not just in Ireland, but anywhere across the globe. For an early-stage company scaling abroad, having trusted partners and a ready-made network on the ground can make a real difference.

"This partnership with Sister gives our founders a practical landing point in one of the UK's most exciting innovation ecosystems, while opening the door for Manchester-based startups to make a mark in Ireland through the GEC's network. We are delighted to build on the strong relationship between our two cities and create a two-way pathway that helps promising businesses build connections to Ireland and helps Irish startups scale internationally."

Joe Manning, Managing Director at Invest Manchester, said the agreement would give startups support as they assess expansion into neighbouring markets.

"Greater Manchester has built a reputation as a city-region where innovation thrives and businesses are supported to grow. This agreement between Sister and the Guinness Enterprise Centre will give startups practical support to explore new markets, build new partnerships and accelerate their growth. It is exactly the kind of international collaboration that helps strengthen our innovation economy and create opportunities for the future."