Make your ideas become reality

Umbro Industries is a new initiative from Umbro geared towards giving potential Manchester based creators the financial backing they need. You know how it is: you've a great idea for an exhibition, a gig, a club night or project, you've got the contacts and you need to make it happen, you just need a little helping hand. That's where Umbro Industries comes in. If your idea is fresh, and your drive and devotion to create is infectious, then we'll get behind you.

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Here at Umbro we’re delighted to announce the winners of the Autumn Umbro Industries competition. Yesterday, after five impressive pitches from the shortlisted entrants, the team of panellists couldn’t decide on one clear winner, and decided instead to split the £10,000 prize between two. Youthful DJs, gig promoters and fanzine creators Same Teens and musical collective Mind On Fire will both receive £5,000 to fund their ongoing work and to develop new ideas.

Both Same Teens and Mind On Fire impressed the judges with the passion they have for their work and the organisation behind their ideas. The fact that they were already established in Manchester was also an important factor, with the judges impressed that their drive remained strong over a lengthy period of time. 

Afterwards, both groups were understandably elated at being chosen to receive £5,000.

‘It’s unbelievable, absolutely amazing!’ said Same Teens. ‘We just don’t know how to react. It’s like getting a Christmas present and opening it, and you just can’t believe you’ve got exactly what you wanted. We had no idea that we were going to win, I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before.
Anyone who is thinking about entering Umbro Industries should just go for it. If you’ve got the passion, you should just give it a go. That’s what all the judges said to us today – that they were really impressed with how passionate we are about Same Teens. So anyone who really loves what they do should apply.’

Mind On Fire were also shocked when they found out.

‘It’s a bit surreal to be honest, we’re a bit overwhelmed,’ they admitted. ‘We’ve been so nervous over the last few hours, waiting to find out who won. When we came back this evening, we still had no idea that it might be us.
This is such a fun, unique way of getting money. Getting funding and grants can be daunting, but this is quite informal and inviting. There was always that feeling before that it’d never happen to us, or that there’s an unbearable amount of work to be done to get the funding. Whereas this is a really fresh and appealing way of helping people. Also, meeting the panel and hearing what they have to say about our ideas is a really positive thing – by awarding us the funding they’re endorsing our ideas and giving us the confidence to just go with them.’