Factory International

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.

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

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

• Performing arts venue
• Arts and culture
• Festival production
• Live performance
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership at £45 providing priority booking, discounts, and exclusive benefits for 12 months.
3. Venue Hire: Commercial hiring of Aviva Studios spaces for filming, broadcast events, receptions, product launches, conferences, fashion events, and brand activations.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Brand and corporate partner relationships including naming rights (Aviva Studios) and project sponsorships.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Support from individual donors, grant makers, and charitable foundations as a registered charity.
6. Merchandise and Print Sales: Sale of limited edition prints and artworks through the online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• adidas OriginalsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2025Adidas 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.
• ArtangelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-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.
• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing 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 UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Billboard Live UK events at Aviva Studios, featuring Grammy-winning artists like Corinne Bailey Rae in exclusive live performances.
• King's TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration 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 ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming collaboration for Special Edition events at Mayfield venue, bringing major electronic music acts to Manchester as pre-Factory events.
• Hallé OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing orchestral partner for classical music events and concerts including Elbow collaborations and Wagner performances.
• RambertcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-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.
• LightroomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of immersive 360-degree David Bowie experience as part of Autumn/Winter programme at Aviva Studios.
• Royal Exchange TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManchester theatre partner for co-productions including 'Fatherland' and 'Everybody Loves a Winner'.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Xx.com/factoryintl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfCpoHbisF8-hJuR2CnBFxg
• Facebookfacebook.com/factoryinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/factoryintl
• Instagraminstagram.com/factory_international
• TikToktiktok.com/@factoryinternational

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Factory International