Sister and Dublin Incubator Signed Partnership Agreement
The Manchester innovation district and Guinness Enterprise Centre have teamed up to support startup growth.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Startups
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Manchester's £1.7 billion Sister innovation district has signed a 12-month Memorandum of Understanding with the Dublin-based Guinness Enterprise Centre. The deal aims to help startups scale internationally by providing reciprocal workspace access and collaborative market entry support.
Why it matters
By lowering traditional barriers to entry, this partnership enables local startups to more effectively tap into foreign markets. The agreement seeks to strengthen the innovation corridor between the UK and Ireland by sharing resources and expertise.
The Guinness Enterprise Centre supported over 1,500 startups over 25 years, with resident businesses generating €140 million in turnover and €73 million in exports in 2025. Sister has supported over 80 startups since its 2024 launch.
The players
Sister
Sister is a £1.7 billion innovation district located in Manchester.
Guinness Enterprise Centre
The Guinness Enterprise Centre is an incubation space based in Dublin.
Platform94
Platform94 is an innovation hub based in Galway that previously partnered with Sister.
The details
The collaboration provides free, short-term workspace at both facilities to encourage cross-border movement for emerging companies. Participants will also benefit from knowledge-sharing opportunities through planned networking events held at both the Manchester and Dublin locations.
Timeline
Sister innovation district launched in 2024.
GEC resident businesses saw €140 million in turnover in 2025.
Sister and Guinness Enterprise Centre signed the agreement in September 2026.
The Memorandum of Understanding will span the next 12 months.
Market Landscape
This partnership mirrors the collaborative frameworks established by the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Trade Mission to formalize cross-border business ties. It signals a move toward regional integration that positions startups against global competitors by pooling institutional resources.
Startups associated with these incubators gain access to international workspaces without the typical costs of early-stage market entry. Entrepreneurs can expect increased networking opportunities that may lead to potential funding or partnership prospects within the UK-Ireland corridor.
The takeaway
Businesses looking to scale internationally should monitor how these reciprocal workspace agreements reduce overhead during early expansion phases. Regional innovation hubs are increasingly prioritizing collaborative networks over localized competition to drive economic growth.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sector on our /business/startups/ page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Prolific North.
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