FAQs

Welcome to Manchester Digital’s FAQs.

This page answers the most common questions about Manchester Digital, our membership model and how we support the digital and tech sector in Greater Manchester and beyond.

Whether you’re exploring membership, looking to get involved in the local tech community or simply want to understand what we do, we hope the information below provides the information you're looking for. If not - please get in touch.

What is Manchester Digital?

Manchester Digital is the trade body for the digital and tech sector in Greater Manchester.

We bring together businesses, freelancers, startups, educators and partners to support growth, innovation and talent across the region’s digital economy. Our role is to connect the community, champion the sector and help organisations of all sizes thrive.

How does Manchester Digital operate and what is the model?

Manchester Digital is a not-for-profit membership organisation. Businesses and organisations can join as members and gain access to a wide range of benefits and initiatives.

Membership fees are reinvested into supporting the local tech ecosystem, delivering skills programmes, championing diversity and inclusion and creating opportunities for collaboration.

Who owns and governs Manchester Digital?

Manchester Digital is a member-led organisation and ultimately accountable to its membership. The organisation is governed by an elected Board, whose role is to provide strategic oversight and ensure Manchester Digital stays true to its purpose.

Board members are elected by the membership, and our Annual General Meetings (AGMs) give members the opportunity to vote on Board appointments, ask questions and raise any concerns. You can find out more about who currently sits on the Board here.

What are the benefits of joining Manchester Digital?

Manchester Digital members gain access to a wide range of benefits that are designed to propel their businesses forward, from increasing visibility to talent & skills support and enhancing your employer brand.

What's more, you are making a decision to invest in the future of Greater Manchester's tech sector, supporting our collective mission to ensure the region remains a thriving centre for digital innovatation.

Who can join Manchester Digital?

Manchester Digital membership is open to digital and tech businesses, freelancers, education providers and organisations that support the sector. Membership options are available for different business sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

How do I join Manchester Digital?

You can join Manchester Digital by heading to this page and choosing the membership option that best suits your organisation and completing a simple application process. 

Alternatively get in touch and our team will be on hand to help you find the right fit and answer any questions you have before you join.

How do I get the most out of my Manchester Digital membership?

To get the most from membership, members are encouraged to attend events regularly, share news and thought leadership, take part in our initiatives and build relationships within the community.

Dedicated account management helps members identify the most relevant opportunities for their business.

What sort of events does Manchester Digital run?

Manchester Digital runs a wide range of events throughout the year, including large-scale conferences, senior leadership meetups, skills and careers events, networking socials, roundtables and much more. Our flagship week-long Digital Skills Festival takes place each February.

Topics span digital, tech, data, ecommerce, fintech, emerging technologies and talent development.

How does Manchester Digital support the local tech ecosystem?

We support the ecosystem by connecting organisations, amplifying the voice of the sector, influencing policy at regional and national level, addressing skills gaps and promoting Greater Manchester as a leading digital hub.

Our work helps attract talent and investment while supporting sustainable growth for local businesses.

What apprenticeship routes does Manchester Digital offer?

Manchester Digital has developed a digital apprenticeship pathway based on a deep understanding of the skills employers need across Greater Manchester, now and in the future.

Through our award-winning Digital Apprenticeship Academy we offer a Level 4 digital apprenticeship programme for Software Developers. This programme supports employers looking to build skilled, diverse teams, while providing individuals at the start of their digital careers with a clear, supported route into the tech sector.

How does Manchester Digital support startups and scaleups?

Manchester Digital is passionate about fostering a vibrant ecosystem for tech startups across the region. We provide a range of support, programmes and events designed to help early-stage businesses grow, connect and succeed.

Our support is tailored to the unique needs of startups, offering access to resources, mentorship and a strong peer community. Through our Startup Activator programme, we support businesses from idea stage through to scale, with targeted events, meetups and insight sessions covering topics such as securing investment, building teams and scaling sustainably.

How does Manchester Digital support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?

DEI is central to Manchester Digital’s work. We deliver dedicated programmes and events that champion underrepresented groups in tech (such as our award winning Digital Her programme), promote inclusive hiring and workplace practices and support businesses on their DEI journey.

Our flagship initiatives create safer, more inclusive pathways into digital careers.

If my company is not a member, can I still get involved?

Yes. Non-members can attend selected public events, engage with open programmes, access resources and take advantage of our website (which features a news page, event listings and jobs board).

A good place to start is signing up for our newsletter.

Where is Manchester Digital based?

Manchester Digital is based in Greater Manchester and works across the wider North and UK. While many of our events take place in Manchester, our community includes organisations operating nationally and internationally.

Why is Manchester Digital important to the region?

Manchester Digital plays a key role in strengthening the region’s digital economy by bringing the community together, addressing skills needs, championing inclusion and ensuring Greater Manchester remains a competitive, future-focused tech hub.