25 years in. Built for what’s next.
Manchester Digital has announced the launch of Manchester Digital V25.0, a year-long campaign marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary and celebrating the people, businesses and partnerships that have shaped Greater Manchester’s technology sector over the last two and a half decades.
Founded in 2001, Manchester Digital was created to strengthen connections across the region’s growing digital and technology community, improve access to talent and skills, and give the sector a stronger collective voice.
Twenty-five years later, the sector has evolved dramatically.
What began as a small digital community has become one of the UK’s largest and most established regional tech ecosystems, spanning fintech, cybersecurity, ecommerce, AI, data, software engineering, creative technology and emerging technologies.
Manchester Digital has evolved alongside it. Today, the organisation plays a central role in connecting businesses, talent, education, policy and opportunity across the region, supporting sector growth through events, workforce development, industry collaboration, skills programmes and advocacy.
The launch of Manchester Digital V25.0 reflects that next chapter. Throughout the next year, Manchester Digital will share stories from the people, businesses and programmes that helped shape the sector, alongside key milestones, impact and reflections on how Greater Manchester tech has changed since 2001.
The campaign will also look forward, exploring the opportunities and challenges that will define the next era of growth for the region’s tech economy, culminating at Manchester Digital Festival in February 2027, which will act as both a major industry gathering and a celebration of the people, businesses and ideas shaping the future of the region’s tech sector.
Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director of Manchester Digital, said: “Manchester Digital was founded because the region’s tech sector needed stronger connections, stronger talent pipelines and a stronger collective voice.
“That need hasn’t gone away, but the sector itself has transformed over the last 25 years and Manchester Digital has transformed with it.
“Today we are part of the infrastructure behind Greater Manchester tech, connecting businesses, education, talent and policy across the region.
“Manchester Digital V25.0 is an opportunity to reflect on the collective progress the sector has made, recognise the people and organisations who helped shape it, and look ahead to what the next 25 years need from all of us.”
Further content, interviews, sector stories and anniversary activity will be released throughout the year across Manchester Digital’s channels.
Manchester Digital V25.0.
Built by the sector. For the sector.
