GM Business Growth Hub is founded and becomes the blueprint for a national network of 38 Business Growth Hubs that facilitate business support programmes.

The original workforce of five grows to seven dedicated staff members.

The specialist support now covers digital, mentoring, start-up, access to finance, manufacturing, resource efficiency and green technology.

Our first major event, Venturefest, takes place, bringing together more than 400 innovators, entrepreneurs and investors. By 2019, its final year, it attracts 1,150 attendees.

We support businesses impacted by the impact of Storm Eva on Boxing Day, which causes severe flooding across Greater Manchester.

In our first five years of existence, we assist 6,470 businesses, unlocking over £57million in finance offers and helping to create or safeguard 16,608 jobs.

We’re awarded a high-profile Environmental/Sustainability Impact of the Year award for our “ground-breaking approach in driving forward the transition to a low carbon economy”

A new Energy Efficiency Grant is offered, supporting businesses with the costs of their energy efficiency improvements.

Roll-out of the Global Scale-up programme, which helps companies to rapidly expand into multiple markets.

We launch #HereForBusiness, Greater Manchester’s emergency response for those impacted by Covid-19, which goes on to answer more than 29,000 enquiries.

By the time of our 10th birthday, we’ve engaged with 77,500 businesses.

We launch GM Leadership Hive , in collaboration with the region's university business schools, and Social Value support.

New funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund sees us commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support local businesses.

To date, we have engaged with more than 90,000 businesses, raised £290million in finance offers, created 15,000 jobs and provided a return on investment of 10:1.