Innovating for a Sustainable, Healthier Future: Join Our Third GM LINK Programme in Greater Manchester
3 min read
At Cisco, we believe in the power of innovation to tackle pressing challenges. As part of our commitment to fostering a brighter, more sustainable future we are delighted to be launching the third instalment within our GM LINK (Leading Innovation, Nurturing Knowledge) programme series aimed at supporting transformative start-ups and SMEs in Greater Manchester.
Part of our strategic partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the 10-week GM LINK programme, which sits under Cisco’s UK Country Digital Acceleration Programme, has been designed to equip local startups and SMEs with mentorship, training, key contacts and the ability to leverage the network deployed as part of GM One in their journey to accelerate their solutions and create lasting social value in the region.
The third programme will focus on addressing two critical challenges that face Greater Manchester in 2025: medicine optimisation and management and local energy consumption and production.
Medicine Optimisation and Management
As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, ensuring safe and effective medication use is a growing challenge. With initial appointments often leading to broad-spectrum prescriptions and patients on repeat medications at risk for unnecessary harm, it is crucial to explore innovative solutions that target the root causes of illnesses. Research shows that effective medicine management can reduce medication-related hospital admissions (such as negative drug-drug interactions) by 10% to 30%.
The GM LINK programme is looking for start-ups and SMEs that are developing digital tools that can support better medication management in our healthcare system. This could include innovations for enhanced diagnostic accuracy, thorough reviews of repeat prescriptions, and personalised patient engagement.
Local Energy Consumption and Production
Greater Manchester is on a journey of rapid expansion and investment, with an increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. As part of this vision, the region is striving to reduce its reliance on external energy sources while aiming for self-sufficiency. Currently, Greater Manchester uses 3% of the UK’s total energy usage (approximately 51,600 GWh), and has committed to achieving emissions reductions of at least 80% by 2050.
This programme seeks ambitious start-ups and SMEs that can harness innovative technologies and sustainable practices to support local energy trading, microgrids, and renewable energy production technologies. This could include tools for market platforms, energy aggregation, demand forecasting, and management technologies. There are endless opportunities to create impactful solutions that can enhance energy security, reduce environmental impact, and unlock new economic opportunities within Greater Manchester.
What’s in it for you?
All successful applicants will receive a £5,000 grant to support solution development, then starting on March 24 – May 30, 2025, they will participate in a 10-week programme, collaborating with our expert mentors and working diligently to elevate their solutions to new heights.
The programme will conclude with a highly anticipated demonstration day on June 4th, 2025, providing an opportunity for participants to showcase their transformative solutions to industry experts and partners within the Cisco and GM eco-system.
As this will be the final instalment of the GM LINK programme, participants will also have the opportunity to participate in filming for a case study video on their innovative solutions and involvement in the programme.
Since launching the GM LINK programme we’ve seen start-ups and SMEs across Greater Manchester form lasting connections that have catapulted their growth, including:
- 75% of participants connected with the Growth Company to unlock new opportunities
- 100% of health tech participants have shown interest in joining the Lister Alliance, which, along with Cisco CDA Ireland, are leading transformative initiatives for the future of healthcare
- Public sector collaboration with GMCA, GM Fire and Rescue, Transport for GM, and local authorities, enabling participants to form valuable connections with policy and service leads to support future solution development
- Connections with local accelerators and innovation centres to signpost ongoing support
The second GM LINK programme launched in August last year and focused on start-ups and SMEs pioneering mental health support tools and energy efficiency and optimisation solutions. Successful organisations included:
- Mind to Mood – an innovative mental well-being platform designed to support the mental wellbeing and resilience of business leaders navigating burnout and work-related stress
- Purple Transform – an SaaS platform which identifies ways to improve buildings’ energy performance such as simple energy saving actions in buildings, best practices, and buildings needing improvement across an estate
- Nemiah – an advanced Smart Building Operating System designed to optimise energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance building management with real-time data analysis and IoT integration
- CyberLiver – an AI-driven digital medicine and self-care platform to help revolutionise the treatment of advanced liver diseases
- InHouse Health – a digital platform that enables healthcare teams to measure, analyse and transform the state of health and wellbeing in organisations and prevent future occupational health issues
Applications for the third GM LINK programme open on Monday January 20th, with the application deadline set for Friday February 14th, 2025. Don’t miss your opportunity to be at the forefront of Greater Manchester’s digital transformation through collaboration, innovation, and growth. Enter your application now.
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