We’re proud to share some exciting news. Salford Innovation Forum has been named Workspace Provider of the Year at the Innovation & Excellence Awards!
This award is a fantastic milestone for our team, but it also represents something bigger: the businesses, people and partnerships that make SIF such a special place to work, connect and grow.
At SIF, we believe a great workspace should offer more than just four walls and a desk. It should open doors, spark ideas and bring people together. That’s why we combine flexible workspace in Salford with practical business support and a welcoming community where businesses can learn from one another, share ideas and find opportunities to grow.
We’re also part of the wider Oxford Innovation Space network, which supports ambitious businesses through a network of innovation centres and business growth expertise. This connection brings additional knowledge, support and opportunities for collaboration, while keeping our focus firmly on the needs of our Salford business community.
More than just serviced offices in Salford
Located in Salford’s innovation district, our 30,000 sq ft innovation hub brings together ambitious businesses from across Salford and Greater Manchester. With 51 resident businesses, SIF is home to a diverse mix of organisations, from early-stage startups and freelancers to established SMEs and growing companies.
Our workspace options include serviced offices, dedicated desks, meeting rooms and event spaces, giving businesses the flexibility to find a setup that works for them.
But what really brings the space to life is the community within it. Whether it’s a conversation over a coffee, a connection made at one of our events or an introduction that leads to a new opportunity, we love seeing businesses support one another and make things happen.
It’s this combination of flexible workspace, business expertise and genuine connections that makes SIF more than just a place to work.
Helping businesses turn ideas into action
Finding the right workspace is one thing. Having the right support to help your business move forward is another.
One of the things that makes Salford Innovation Forum different is the business growth support available to our office and dedicated desk residents. Through our embedded Innovation Director, Artur Grzybowski, businesses can access guidance tailored to their individual goals, challenges and ambitions.
Support covers a range of areas, including funding readiness, commercialisation, branding, pricing, product development, AI adoption and growth planning. Whether a business is working through a new idea, exploring funding opportunities or looking at how to take its next step, having access to experienced guidance can make a real difference.
This support is included as part of our workspace offering, helping residents access expertise and explore opportunities without having to navigate every challenge alone.
We’re proud to create an environment where businesses can develop their ideas, build their confidence and make progress at their own pace.
Building a business community where innovation meets community
For us, a thriving workspace isn’t just about the facilities. It’s about the people who fill it.
Throughout the year, we bring our residents and the wider business community together through networking events, workshops and opportunities to share knowledge. From informal conversations and introductions to sessions exploring new tools, ideas and ways to grow, we want people to feel part of something bigger than their own business.
We know that running a business can sometimes feel isolating, particularly in the early stages. Creating opportunities for people to meet, exchange experiences and learn from one another is an important part of what we do.
Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a conversation is a new client or business partnership. Other times, it’s a useful bit of advice, a fresh perspective or simply knowing there’s someone nearby who understands the challenges you’re facing.
That’s what we mean when we say where innovation meets community. It’s about creating the space, relationships and opportunities that help businesses connect, collaborate and grow.
A word from our Centre Manager
Kayleigh Sarsfield, Centre Manager at Salford Innovation Forum, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to receive the Workspace Provider of the Year award. It’s a fantastic recognition of the supportive business community we’ve built here at Salford Innovation Forum and the dedication of everyone involved in helping our resident businesses succeed.
We believe a great workspace is about much more than providing offices. It’s about creating opportunities, supporting innovation and bringing people together. We’d like to thank all of our residents, partners and supporters for being part of our journey and helping make Salford Innovation Forum the thriving business community it is today.”
Looking ahead
Winning Workspace Provider of the Year is something we’re incredibly proud of, and it gives us even more motivation to keep building on what we’ve created together.
We’re grateful to every business that chooses SIF as its home, to our partners and supporters, and to everyone who contributes to the community in their own way. Whether you’ve attended an event, shared your expertise, introduced us to someone new or simply taken the time to have a conversation, you’re part of what makes this place special.
As we look ahead, our focus remains the same: supporting businesses across Salford and Greater Manchester with flexible workspace, practical business support and opportunities to connect with others.
This award is a brilliant achievement, but the real reward is seeing the businesses in our community move forward, grow and succeed.
Thank you for being part of the SIF community.
