Meet Bradley Topps, Project Director at Sister: Manchester’s Billion Pound Innovation Project

Tell us about Sister

Sister, Manchester’s new innovation district, is a joint venture between The University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, delivering new workspaces, homes and public amenities to build on the city’s heritage of science and technology innovation.

Sister aims to bring together industry, academia and local communities, to drive collaboration, spark new ideas and develop disruptive technologies that will help tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges across digital tech, health innovation, biotechnology and advanced materials and manufacturing.

What do you think makes Sister unique?

Sister is a place where world-changing ideas are born. We are building an ecosystem to provide ample opportunity for start-ups and spin-outs looking to commercialise their innovations and accelerate their business growth. 

At Sister, we provide no and low-cost workspaces to enable start-ups and spin-outs to refine their products and services, market propositions and USPs, and connect with a broader network of investors and funders within the ecosystem. By supporting early-stage businesses from the outset, we’re creating an environment where growth and innovation can thrive.

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

It’s important to surround yourself with the right people. A strong network of mentors, investors, and peers that can open doors, provide guidance, and help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling a business. 

Equally important is building a team with the right skills. Universities and innovation hubs like Renold – Sister’s first building – can be great places to find emerging talent and connect with experienced advisers who’ve been through the journey before.

What most excites you about Sister?

The most exciting thing is the inclusive, purpose-driven community we’re building in the heart of Manchester to host the UK’s next wave of innovators. Sister provides a unique opportunity to help drive forward the UK’s innovation agenda. As a 15 year project, we have the time and commitment to build the ecosystem from the ground up, one that not only drives scientific and technological businesses to thrive, but also actively engages and uplifts the local communities along the way.

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

Sister opened its first building, the Renold Innovation Hub, in Autumn of 2024. What once was an educational hub at The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) campus, is now a new home for visionary entrepreneurs, start-ups and spin-outs. 

It is also home to a number of organisations playing a key role in progressing the North West’s innovation economy, including Sustainable Ventures (specialising in climate tech), the Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (AI and deep tech), the Christabel Pankhurst Institute (health tech), and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst.

But beyond being a place for innovation to thrive and businesses to grow, it is also a community space. Since opening, Renold has already hosted a number of community events and provides free access to a community cafe space for anyone to drop in and work from.

What can we hope to see from Sister in the future?

We hope to bring long-term impact to the city over the coming decades – including over 10,000 new jobs, over 2 million sq feet of commercial, retail and leisure space, 1500 new homes and a new civic square.

Earlier this year, we opened a public consultation for Sister’s first major development plan – Zone C – which will see the creation of over half a million sq ft of flexible commercial space across two new buildings, driving economic growth in the region and continued investment and delivery of new jobs in key industry sectors across science and technology.