A Salford-based travel company has moved into dedicated premises and launched new brands after receiving funding and other support.
Invasion had previously focused on offering tailored package holidays to some of Europe’s top cities and working summer holidays in North America and Africa to the student market.
However, the company has recently expanded its portfolio of working holiday destinations to include Australia, China, Thailand and Vietnam, and has also launched a new brand, Mega Weekends, aimed at the corporate team-building and stag and hen party markets.
In addition, Invasion moved into dedicated premises – The Foundry on Ordsall Lane, Salford - earlier this year having outgrown their previous rented office space following the recruitment of seven new members of staff.
This growth comes off the back of a range of support from Business Growth Hub, part of Manchester Growth Company. Access to finance advisors worked with Invasion to help them raise the money needed to purchase the new office building, now known as The Invasion Hub, and hire the additional employees into the marketing and operations teams required to support Invasion’s growth plans. Some of Invasion’s team also attended Hub masterclasses on digital marketing, employment law and tendering for new business.
Nick Steiert, co-founder and director of Invasion, said; “Over the next five years, we’re looking to expand outside of the student demographic.
“We want to develop an online travel portal which has a much wider appeal, with strong content, destination guides and regular travel blogs. The support from Business Growth Hub has now set this plan into motion.
"We look forward to continue working with Business Growth Hub as Invasion Corp expands and as it hosts other growing businesses in the newly launched Invasion Hub at the Foundry.
“Invasion Hub provides a funky co-working space for other businesses looking to benefit not just from the creative working space, but from being around other innovative businesses.”
Philip Hargreaves, head of access to finance at Business Growth Hub, adds: “This is a great example of how we can help businesses find the capital they need to develop and create local jobs.
“The new premises have allowed Invasion to expand, employ new people and to move into new markets which will help the business to grow and prosper.”
Following the purchase of The Invasion Hub, Invasion have also leased space in the building to three companies; Mark Bratt Travel, Dusty Pop Entertainment and KUB UK.
Peter Dickinson, founder of KUB UK, said; "Being a part of the Invasion Hub is incredible. It's a great project and we are growing because of our involvement.
“You are surrounded by a hard-working and creative environment as well as embedding yourself into a supportive family. I'm very pleased to have moved to Manchester and have more opportunities open up to me that I hadn't thought possible."