{"id":17958,"date":"2025-12-08T14:27:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T14:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/?p=17958"},"modified":"2025-12-08T14:27:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T14:27:18","slug":"manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester Marketing Agency Secures NPIF II Funding to Launch New Campaign Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_What_happened\" >\u00a0What happened<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_What_the_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D_is_for\" >\u00a0What the \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d is for<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_About_Hussel_and_its_Founder\" >\u00a0About Hussel and its Founder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#%F0%9F%93%88_What_it_means_for_NPIF_II_and_Regional_Funding\" >\ud83d\udcc8 What it means for NPIF II and Regional Funding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_What_to_Watch_%E2%80%94_Implications_What_This_Could_Lead_To\" >\u00a0What to Watch \u2014 Implications &amp; What This Could Lead To<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_Case_study_How_Hussel_used_NPIF_II_to_build_a_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D\" >\u00a0Case study: How Hussel used NPIF II to build a \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#Background_origin_story\" >Background &amp; origin story<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#The_NPIF_II%E2%80%91backed_move_building_a_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D\" >The NPIF II\u2011backed move: building a \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#Business_model_immediate_plans\" >Business model &amp; immediate plans<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_Public_comments_views_on_the_initiative\" >\u00a0Public comments &amp; views on the initiative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_Broader_context_How_Hussels_story_fits_into_NPIF_II_trends\" >\u00a0Broader context: How Hussel\u2019s story fits into NPIF II trends<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_What_this_case_suggests_%E2%80%94_lessons_takeaways\" >\u00a0What this case suggests \u2014 lessons &amp; takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/#_What_remains_to_watch_What_is_unclear\" >\u00a0What remains to watch \/ What is unclear<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_happened\"><\/span>\u00a0What happened<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Hussel \u2014 a Manchester\u2011based marketing agency \u2014 obtained funding from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF\u202fII), through the sub\u2011fund managed by GC Business Finance &amp; River Capital Smaller Loans. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The funding is being used to purchase and convert a specially customised vehicle \u2014 a Hummer H2 \u2014 which will serve as a mobile, multipurpose marketing \u201ccampaign vehicle.\u201d The agency calls it the \u201cMobile Disruption Unit.\u201d (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_the_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D_is_for\"><\/span>\u00a0What the \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d is for<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The vehicle will function as a mobile marketing hub for experiential campaigns, live events, brand activations, product demos. It is equipped with a DJ booth, digital displays, and space for on\u2011the\u2011road campaigns. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The agency intends to use it at festivals, city\u2011centre activations, events, and various on\u2011the\u2011road marketing campaigns \u2014 giving clients a higher\u2011impact, unconventional marketing channel. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The idea is to stand out from standard marketing campaigns by offering a mobile, in-person, immersive experience. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_About_Hussel_and_its_Founder\"><\/span>\u00a0About Hussel and its Founder<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The founder is Lewis Ellis. After losing his job during the COVID\u201119 pandemic and seeing plans for a travel business collapse, he turned to freelancing in web design, SEO, and marketing. Over time he transformed that into the agency. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Hussel aims to position itself as a \u201cdisruptive creative agency,\u201d one that avoids repetitive, cookie\u2011cutter ideas \u2014 aiming for creative, high\u2011energy campaigns. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>With the support of NPIF II, Hussel plans to grow its operational capacity by taking on project\u2011based staff (creatives, technicians, event staff) as needed for its campaigns. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%93%88_What_it_means_for_NPIF_II_and_Regional_Funding\"><\/span>\ud83d\udcc8 What it means for NPIF II and Regional Funding<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The funding to Hussel is part of a broader wave: as of late 2025, NPIF\u202fII has directly invested in over 300 small businesses across the North of England, with more than \u00a3115\u202fmillion deployed so far, plus additional private sector co\u2011investment. (<a title=\"Northern businesses benefit from over \u00a3180m of ...\" href=\"https:\/\/pressat.co.uk\/releases\/northern-businesses-benefit-from-over-180m-of-investment-since-the-launch-of-the-northern-powerhouse-investment-fund-ii-3381229a4f70e12a85ccc9fceba98274\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">pressat.co.uk<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>NPIF II \u2014 launched in March 2024 \u2014 provides a mix of finance options: smaller loans (\u00a325k\u2013\u00a3100k), larger business loans (\u00a3100k\u2013\u00a32\u202fmillion), and equity investments (up to \u00a35\u202fmillion), depending on the business, region, and growth potential. (<a title=\"Launch of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II ...\" href=\"https:\/\/www.british-business-bank.co.uk\/news-and-events\/news\/launch-of-the-northern-powerhouse-investment-fund-ii-provides-660m-boost-for-small-businesses?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">British Business Bank<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Supporting creative\/marketing agencies like Hussel shows NPIF II\u2019s scope is not limited to tech or manufacturing, but extends into services, creative industries, and marketing \u2014 underscoring the fund\u2019s ambition to support diverse types of businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_to_Watch_%E2%80%94_Implications_What_This_Could_Lead_To\"><\/span>\u00a0What to Watch \u2014 Implications &amp; What This Could Lead To<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d might set a trend for more marketing agencies to seek NPIF II funding for unconventional, experiential marketing. If successful, this could influence how brands approach outreach and engagement \u2014 leaning more on live events and immersive experiences rather than purely digital campaigns.<\/li>\n<li>For Hussel: success with this funding could lead to more contracts, growth in staff &amp; freelancing opportunities, and perhaps inspire similar \u201cout-of-the-box\u201d marketing offerings.<\/li>\n<li>For NPIF II: including creative\/service\u2011based firms signals openness to funding a broad base of business types \u2014 which could encourage other small agencies, creative studios, or non\u2011traditional SMEs to apply for funding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Here\u2019s a detailed breakdown of <strong>case\u2011study style insights and public comments<\/strong> related to Hussel \u2014 the Manchester agency that secured Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) support \u2014 and what their \u201cmobile disruption\u201d move reveals about funding, strategy, and reaction within the industry.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Case_study_How_Hussel_used_NPIF_II_to_build_a_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u00a0Case study: How Hussel used NPIF II to build a \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background_origin_story\"><\/span>Background &amp; origin story<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Hussel was founded by Lewis Ellis after the COVID\u201119 pandemic disrupted his prior plans (he lost his job and a planned travel business collapsed). Rather than wait for support or furlough, he leveraged years of freelancing in web design, SEO and marketing \u2014 ultimately growing that into a full\u2011service marketing agency. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding to launch \u2018mobile disruption unit\u2019 - Prolific North\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>From early modest beginnings, by 2022 Ellis committed to making Hussel \u201cthe UK\u2019s most disruptive creative agency,\u201d refusing to recycle ideas and promising always to pitch something fresh. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding to launch \u2018mobile disruption unit\u2019 - Prolific North\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_NPIF_II%E2%80%91backed_move_building_a_%E2%80%9CMobile_Disruption_Unit%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>The NPIF II\u2011backed move: building a \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>With backing from NPIF II (via the \u201cSmaller Loans\u201d route through GC Business Finance &amp; River Capital), Hussel acquired and converted a Hummer H2 into a branded, multi\u2011purpose marketing vehicle. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The vehicle \u2014 dubbed the \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d \u2014 is outfitted with a DJ booth, digital displays, and space for live product demos or activations. It\u2019s intended for experiential campaigns, live events, brand activations, festivals, city\u2011centre marketing, and \u201con-the-road\u201d campaigns. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding to launch \u2018mobile disruption unit\u2019 - Prolific North\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The NPIF II funds covered both acquisition and conversion costs. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Business_model_immediate_plans\"><\/span>Business model &amp; immediate plans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Hussel is already taking bookings for the Mobile Disruption Unit and working on signing further brand partnerships. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding to launch \u2018mobile disruption unit\u2019 - Prolific North\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>As they scale, they plan to hire flexible, project-based staff \u2014 creatives, technicians, and event support \u2014 rather than fixed headcount, making the business more agile and cost-efficient. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Their past clients reportedly include known brands such as TGI Fridays, Cats Protection and Revolution Bars, suggesting this new vehicle adds to an existing portfolio of brand-focused experiential marketing services. (<a title=\"Marketing agency Hussel turns Hummer into marketing hub and DJ booth with Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II support - Yahoo News UK\" href=\"https:\/\/uk.news.yahoo.com\/marketing-agency-hussel-turns-hummer-140000229.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Yahoo News UK<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Public_comments_views_on_the_initiative\"><\/span>\u00a0Public comments &amp; views on the initiative<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>From founders, fund managers, and funding bodies involved:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On why Hussel started this journey, founder Lewis Ellis said:<br \/>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThis whole journey started because I had to survive. \u2026 I always wanted to be known for doing something different.\u201d (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<li>On the nature of Hussel\u2019s promise:<br \/>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe don\u2019t copy and paste, we don\u2019t recycle ideas. We bring energy, personality, and a bit of madness to everything we do. The Mobile Disruption Unit is the epitome of exactly that.\u201d (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<li>From the funders:\n<ul>\n<li>GC Business Finance\u2019s investment manager, Alison Darkes, said this was \u201ca brilliant example of resilience\u201d \u2014 transforming hard circumstances into a \u201cpowerful and fun\u201d business idea. (<a title=\"Manchester agency secures Northern Powerhouse funding to launch \u2018mobile disruption unit\u2019 - Prolific North\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prolificnorth.co.uk\/news\/manchester-agency-secures-northern-powerhouse-funding-to-launch-mobile-disruption-unit\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Prolific North<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>From British Business Bank (which backs NPIF II), senior investment manager Sue Barnard said: it\u2019s great to see a Northern business using NPIF II funding to scale up, create jobs and explore fresh ways for brands to engage audiences. (<a title=\"Manchester marketing agency secures NPIF II funding for campaign vehicle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-for-campaign-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These comments underscore two things: (1) the personal, almost \u201clean\u2011startup\u201d origin of Hussel, and (2) the view by funders that marketing &amp; creative agencies are valid targets for NPIF II financing \u2014 not just traditional tech, manufacturing or infrastructure firms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Broader_context_How_Hussels_story_fits_into_NPIF_II_trends\"><\/span>\u00a0Broader context: How Hussel\u2019s story fits into NPIF II trends<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Turning to similar cases helps show whether Hussel\u2019s path is exceptional or part of a wider pattern:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As of late 2025, NPIF II has invested over <strong>\u00a3115\u202fmillion<\/strong> into more than 300 small businesses in the North of England \u2014 plus around \u00a368\u202fmillion of private co\u2011investment. (<a title=\"Milestone as total NPIF II delivery passes \u00a3180m | Insider Media\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/milestone-as-total-npif-ii-delivery-passes-180m?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>While many funded businesses are tech\u2011driven \u2014 e.g. finance companies, SaaS firms, infrastructure\u2011software providers \u2014 NPIF II\u2019s scope clearly includes <strong>creative, marketing, media and experiential\u2011marketing firms.<\/strong> The Hussel case is thus part of a broader shift toward supporting a diverse mix of SMEs. (<a title=\"Milestone as total NPIF II delivery passes \u00a3180m | Insider Media\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidermedia.com\/news\/north-west\/milestone-as-total-npif-ii-delivery-passes-180m?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Insider Media Ltd<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Another example: 75Media \u2014 a roadside media \/ out\u2011of\u2011home advertising operator \u2014 recently secured a seven\u2011figure NPIF II investment to build an AI\u2011powered platform for billboard booking and advertising (\u201cBOB\u201d). (<a title=\"75Media Secures Seven-Figure Investment from\u00a0NPIF II \u2013 Mercia Equity Finance\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finsmes.com\/2025\/03\/75media-secures-seven-figure-investment-from-npif-ii-mercia-equity-finance.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">FinSMEs<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>These funding examples suggest NPIF II isn\u2019t just fueling \u201ctraditional\u201d startups; it\u2019s also enabling companies reimagining how content, advertising, events, and physical\/digital media intersect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_this_case_suggests_%E2%80%94_lessons_takeaways\"><\/span>\u00a0What this case suggests \u2014 lessons &amp; takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Lesson \/ Insight<\/th>\n<th>What Hussel\u2019s case shows<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Creative businesses can attract growth financing<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Even a marketing\/experiential\u2011marketing agency can leverage NPIF II funding, not just tech or industrial firms.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Resilience &amp; pivoting pay off<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Hussel\u2019s origin comes from survival after job loss \u2014 but pivoting into digital marketing + creative campaigns laid a foundation for growth and funding.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Innovation in format matters<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>The \u201cMobile Disruption Unit\u201d \u2014 a repurposed vehicle for live, experiential campaigns \u2014 shows that clients\/potential funders value out\u2011of-the\u2011box thinking, especially in saturated marketing markets.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Flexible staffing &amp; asset-light scaling<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>By using a mobile vehicle and hiring staff on a project basis, Hussel can scale up\/down per project \u2014 reducing fixed costs while maximizing flexibility.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Funding programmes support broader SME ecosystems<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>NPIF II\u2019s support for firms like Hussel or 75Media signals that regional funds increasingly consider creative industries, not just traditional sectors, as key economic contributors.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_remains_to_watch_What_is_unclear\"><\/span>\u00a0What remains to watch \/ What is unclear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Demand risk<\/strong>: A \u201cmobile disruption unit\u201d is a creative bet \u2014 success depends heavily on demand for experiential campaigns and events, which can fluctuate (especially in a post\u2011COVID era).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sustainability of bookings<\/strong>: The viability depends on whether Hussel can keep securing brand deals consistently (festivals, activations, events) \u2014 otherwise the high fixed costs of conversion + maintenance could be risky.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scalability beyond one vehicle<\/strong>: It\u2019s unclear whether this model can scale \u2014 e.g. more vehicles, more markets \u2014 or remain a one\u2011off novelty.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Effect of macroeconomic factors<\/strong>: Marketing budgets are often cut first in tough economic times; if clients tighten spend, experiential campaigns may be among the first impacted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; \u00a0What happened Hussel \u2014 a Manchester\u2011based marketing agency \u2014 obtained funding from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF\u202fII), through the sub\u2011fund managed by GC&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[270,90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-marketing","category-news-update"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Manchester Marketing Agency Secures NPIF II Funding to Launch New Campaign Initiative - Lite14 Tools &amp; Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lite14.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/manchester-marketing-agency-secures-npif-ii-funding-to-launch-new-campaign-initiative\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Manchester Marketing Agency Secures NPIF II Funding to Launch New Campaign Initiative - Lite14 Tools &amp; 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