Built by Manchester Digital as part of its 25th anniversary year, the festival reflects the scale, ambition and breadth of the region’s digital economy – connecting founders, engineers, policymakers, educators, investors, talent leaders and the next generation entering the industry.
Across five days, MDF27 combines flagship talks, leadership forums, showcases, workshops, networking events and hands-on experiences designed around the realities of building and scaling tech businesses today.
This is not a generic tech conference – it is where the Greater Manchester tech ecosystem comes together.
Why MDF Matters
No single business builds a tech ecosystem on its own.
MDF27 creates the shared space where Greater Manchester tech connects properly – across leadership, talent, innovation, policy and future growth.
For attendees, that means:
- access to the people shaping the sector
- conversations grounded in real business challenges
- visibility inside one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems
- opportunities to collaborate, hire, learn and influence what happens next
For partners and sponsors, it means meaningful association with the businesses, people and ideas driving the region forward.
10+
Years Running
3000+
Attendees / yr
30+
Partner Orgs
12
Venues
Festival Tracks
Summit
Strategic conversations, sector insight and leadership perspectives from the people shaping what comes next for Greater Manchester tech.
Showcase
Hands-on demonstrations, product experiences and emerging technologies transforming how we live, work and build.
Community
Workshops, meet-ups, networking events and curated experiences happening across the city throughout the week.
Festival Themes
Five days, five themes
Build
Celebrating the Manchester Digital community and the future talent shaping what comes next.
Accelerate
Growth, collaboration and inclusion across Greater Manchester tech.
Fortify
Cyber resilience, workforce capability and the infrastructure modern tech businesses rely on.
Lead
Leadership, influence and the strategic conversations shaping Greater Manchester tech.
Pioneer
AI, emerging technology and the ideas shaping the future of the sector.
Organised by Manchester Digital
Manchester Digital is the independent trade body for Greater Manchester’s tech and digital sector, connecting businesses, talent and partners to help the region grow.
