Factory International
Factory International is a Manchester-based registered charity that operates Aviva Studios and the biennial Manchester International Festival, commissioning and presenting world-first dance, theatre, music and visual arts work for public, corporate and community audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Factory International does
Factory International is a registered charity (legal name MIF t/a Factory International) that operates Aviva Studios, a purpose-built, BREEAM-certified performing arts venue in Manchester, and produces the biennial Manchester International Festival (MIF), founded in 2007 under artistic director John McGrath. The organisation commissions and presents world-first work in dance, theatre, music, visual arts and immersive performance, and has historically attracted leading international artists including Björk, Kraftwerk, Marina Abramović, Damon Albarn, Ai Weiwei and The xx. Its core technology is the physical Aviva Studios infrastructure (flexible Warehouse and Studio spaces with high thermal mass insulation and high-performance glazing) combined with a digital layer (Factory+ platform, Factory Settings virtual experiences, Dream Space Podcast, In the Studio video series) used to extend the brand beyond the venue.
The business model blends earned and contributed income. Earned revenue comes from ticket sales (demand-based pricing with £1.50-£4.50 booking fees and a £1.95 facility fee for music events), an annual membership programme at £45, commercial venue hire for filming, product launches and brand activations, merchandise and limited-edition print sales, and broadcast/streaming-related income. Contributed income flows from a small number of large institutional partners: Aviva (long-term naming rights for Aviva Studios), Arts Council England and Manchester City Council (public funding), adidas Originals (Factory Sounds), King's Trust (Creative Futures), and a broader base of corporate sponsors, individual donors, and charitable trusts and foundations.
The customer base spans general arts and culture audiences, international and emerging artists, corporate and brand partners, aspiring arts professionals in training, and Manchester communities engaged through participation and volunteering. Distribution is omnichannel: direct ticket sales via the website and box office, authorised agencies (DICE, See Tickets, Gigs and Tours, Ticketmaster), annual membership, commercial venue hire, and international touring of Manchester-made productions.
Factory International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Factory International
- Legal name
- MIF t/a Factory International
- Website
- https://factoryinternational.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Factory International is a Manchester-based registered charity that operates Aviva Studios and the biennial Manchester International Festival, commissioning and presenting world-first dance, theatre, music and visual arts work for public, corporate and community audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Factory International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Venue
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Fan Conventions Organizers (THAHABAN)
Keywords
Where Factory International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Factory International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to performances, exhibitions, and events at Aviva Studios and MIF venues across Manchester. Flexible pricing model with demand-based pricing.
- Membership Program: Annual membership at £45 providing priority booking, discounts, and exclusive benefits for 12 months.
- Venue Hire: Commercial hiring of Aviva Studios spaces for filming, broadcast events, receptions, product launches, conferences, fashion events, and brand activations.
- Corporate Partnerships: Brand and corporate partner relationships including naming rights (Aviva Studios) and project sponsorships.
- Donations and Fundraising: Support from individual donors, grant makers, and charitable foundations as a registered charity.
- Merchandise and Print Sales: Sale of limited edition prints and artworks through the online shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Event Tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Factory International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Factory International commissions, produces, and presents world-first artistic work at Aviva Studios, a purpose-built performing arts venue in Manchester. The organization operates the biennial Manchester International Festival (MIF) alongside year-round programming in dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and immersive performance, supported by training programmes (Factory Academy), artist development schemes (Factory Sounds), and venue hire for corporate events. As a registered charity, it is funded by ticket sales, public grants (Arts Council England, Manchester City Council), corporate partnerships, and donations.
Product overview
Factory International operates a multi-faceted arts and cultural organization centered around Aviva Studios, a world-class venue in Manchester. The organization delivers a year-round programme of innovative dance, theatre, music, visual arts, performance, and digital commissions. Key offerings include Manchester International Festival (MIF), a biennial festival of new artistic work; Factory Academy, providing free training programmes for creative professionals; Factory Sounds, an artist development programme backed by adidas Originals; Factory+ digital content platform featuring virtual experiences and podcasts; and various artist development initiatives including the Fellowship programme. The organization also manages membership programmes and learning initiatives, functioning as both a venue operator and festival producer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Manchester International Festival: The biennial festival of new artistic work presented by Factory International, held every two years since 2007.
- Aviva Studios
Products and services
- Aviva Studios Purpose-built world-class arts venue in Manchester featuring flexible Warehouse and Studio spaces for large-scale performances, exhibitions, immersive experiences, and intimate events.
- Manchester International Festival (MIF) Biennial festival presenting world-first commissions and premieres in dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and performance from leading international artists.
- Factory Academy Free training programmes for future producers, technicians, and arts professionals, including the Creative Futures programme supporting over 100 young people per year.
- Factory Sounds Artist development programme supported by adidas Originals selecting 15 emerging artists annually from Manchester's grassroots music scene, offering funding, mentorship, performance opportunities, and specialized studio access.
- Factory International Fellowship Fellowship programme for artists providing development opportunities and support for the creation of new work.
- Artist Takeovers Opportunities for artists to take over and present their work at Aviva Studios.
- Factory+ Online content hub featuring virtual experiences (Factory Settings), podcasts (Dream Space), video series (In the Studio), games, talks, and editorial content (An Introduction To) extending Aviva Studios programming online.
- Factory Settings Virtual experiences providing inventive and playful digital access to a new dimension of Aviva Studios.
- Dream Space Podcast Podcast hosted by Gemma Cairney exploring what art has the power or potential to do.
- Membership Programme Annual membership at £45 providing 12 months of benefits including priority booking, discounts, and special offers for year-round access to extraordinary experiences.
- Learning Programmes Schools and learning programmes offering educational opportunities and engagement with the arts for young learners.
- Commercial Venue Hire Commercial hire of Aviva Studios spaces for filming, broadcast events, receptions, product launches, conferences, fashion events, and brand activations by corporate clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1.6 million international audience reached through touring productions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Factory International
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Factory International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Factory International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- adidas OriginalsflagshipAdidas Originals supports the Factory Sounds artist development programme, now in its fifth edition. The programme selects 15 emerging artists from Manchester's grassroots music scene, offering funding, mentorship, performance opportunities, and access to a specialized studio.
- ArtangelcoreLong-standing co-commissioning partner for major projects including 'Everything that happened and would happen', '11 Rooms', and 'Audio Obscura'. Artangel is a leading commissioning organisation for contemporary arts.
- BBCcoreOngoing partnership for broadcasting, co-productions, and special events including BBC Radio coverage of MIF events and co-commissioning of works like The Crash of the Elysium with Doctor Who.
- Billboard UKminorPartnership for Billboard Live UK events at Aviva Studios, featuring Grammy-winning artists like Corinne Bailey Rae in exclusive live performances.
- King's TrustcoreCollaboration with King's Trust for Factory Academy's Creative Futures programme, supporting over 100 young people in Manchester develop skills in creative industries. Partnership includes the Elba Hope Foundation.
- The Warehouse ProjectminorJoint programming collaboration for Special Edition events at Mayfield venue, bringing major electronic music acts to Manchester as pre-Factory events.
- Hallé OrchestracoreLong-standing orchestral partner for classical music events and concerts including Elbow collaborations and Wagner performances.
- RambertcoreCo-presenting dance adaptations including the transformation of Channel 4's 'It's a Sin' series into a dance production, directed and choreographed by Benoit Swan Pouffer.
- LightroomminorProvider of immersive 360-degree David Bowie experience as part of Autumn/Winter programme at Aviva Studios.
- Royal Exchange TheatrecoreManchester theatre partner for co-productions including 'Fatherland' and 'Everybody Loves a Winner'.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Factory International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sadler's Wells: London dance house producing and presenting year-round dance programming with international touring and co-commissioning partnerships. Directly comparable as a producing performing arts venue with global artist relationships.
- Barbican Centre: Major London arts centre operated by the City of London Corporation, hosting international performing arts, film, and visual arts across multiple venues. Comparable in scale, programming mix, and public-sector funding model.
- Southbank Centre: UK's largest arts centre operating multiple venues (Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room) in London with year-round performing arts programming, festivals, and venue hire. Directly comparable as a publicly-funded multi-venue arts organization commissioning contemporary work.
- Edinburgh International Festival: Annual (formerly festival-led) international performing arts festival based in Edinburgh. Comparable as a UK-based commissioning festival presenting opera, theater, dance, and music from leading international artists.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Opera House: Larger UK performing arts institution operating multiple venues with significant public funding and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a major UK arts charity but broader in scope including opera, ballet, and orchestral programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Factory International social profiles
Digital presenceFactory International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Factory International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Factory International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Factory International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Factory International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Factory International
What does Factory International do?
Factory International commissions, produces, and presents world-first artistic work at Aviva Studios, a purpose-built performing arts venue in Manchester. The organization operates the biennial Manchester International Festival (MIF) alongside year-round programming in dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and immersive performance, supported by training programmes (Factory Academy), artist development schemes (Factory Sounds), and venue hire for corporate events. As a registered charity, it is funded by ticket sales, public grants (Arts Council England, Manchester City Council), corporate partnerships, and donations.
Is Factory International a public or private company?
Factory International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Factory International founded?
Factory International was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Factory International based?
Factory International is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Factory International make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, venue Hire, corporate Partnerships, donations and Fundraising and merchandise and Print Sales.
Who are Factory International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sadler's Wells, Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre and Edinburgh International Festival. Royal Opera House is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Factory International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Factory International.
What industry is Factory International in?
Factory International's product category is Performing Arts Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAI, Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts, with a secondary code of THAHABAN, Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Fan Conventions Organizers. Its NAICS code is 7111.