Manchester tech hub opens with UX testing, prototyping and new maker facilities

The Landing, MediaCityUK’s tech and enterprise hub, has announced more details of its new pay-as-you-go (PAYG) co-working space called Launch.  Situated on the 6^th floor, Launch offers tech businesses a mix of co-working space together with access to a range of hi-tech testing labs, maker and prototyping workshops and development studios.

Companies who sign-up for one of Launch’s flexible PAYG service packages can also access a select network of expert and specialist partners for business support through two-day bootcamps, and 1-2-1 advice.

The Landing has also revealed that the Launch space will be home to US-backed venture Trutripper, a peer-to-peer travel review website, and millennial job-board pioneers Roocru, coming to Manchester after a year in San Francisco.

A new Future of Health 3-month growth acceleration programme, sponsored by PwC, will also be based at Launch. The programme is currently taking applications from established health start-ups.

Maya Dibley, The Landing’s head of programmes and partnerships, said: “The Landing has successfully adapted its offer, to meet to evolving needs of tech, creative and digital businesses, for four years now and always strives to anticipate what’s next. 

“In the last 12 months, it became increasingly clear to us that while collaboration is key to innovation, the real demand in Greater Manchester now is for more emphasis on investment expertise and business growth. Launch at The Landing offers easy, on-demand access to the type of kit, labs and connectivity needed to test and refine great product ideas and push them forward commercially.

“To ensure we got Launch right, and to create space that would drive deals as well as spark innovation, we talked to a wide array of tech entrepreneurs and investors both locally and internationally to gauge what businesses really need to get to the next stage of growth.

 “We found that accessing a network of potential angel investors, having a consultation with an IP lawyer, experimenting with a 3D-printed prototype, or being able to test a customer journey in a professional UX environment, were the practical kind of offerings that appealed most to companies serious about growth.

“Our focus, of offering pragmatic services alongside our premium networking and workspace environments – which are flexible, accessible and cost-effective for tech companies looking to make the step-up – is what really differentiates Launch from most other co-working spaces.”

“Growing companies also had a massive appetite for health and wellbeing services to ensure that founders are able to look after their staff and build sustainable ‘happy companies’, so healthy eating, fitness, and culture programmes will come alongside meet-ups and social events to be firmly embedded in the Launch philosophy,

“This ‘Work, Test and Play’ approach is also why the likes of Roocru and PwC are already signed-up, and I’m confident that we’ll soon be seeing a stream of home-grown success stories also emerging as a result of the Launch initiative.”

The Launch co-working space was opened simultaneously with The Landing’s new Barclays’ Eagle Lab earlier this month. The Eagle Lab facility, Barclay’s first in the North, is a maker space which gives businesses and developers access to a range of resources including expert mentoring, 3D printers, laser cutters and events space.

The Eagle Lab will also be available for community events, digital Tea and Teach and LifeSkills sessions, with the aim of bringing together the local community and developing useful technology and manufacturing skills.