Who we are
We are Nicola Pinder and Simon Preston, who in 2006 co-founded Creatives Loop, an award-winning Business Consultancy with a focus on International Trade Development. In 2014 we opened a second office in Berlin forming the Creatives Loop International Group, of which Manuka Business is our latest further addition in 2025 working with international clients in key sectors.
Clients
We work with Clusters, Networks, Government Trade Development Organisations, Academic Institutions and Tech Innovation Organisations.
What we do
We enable Trade Development Organisations and Networks to internationalise more quickly, effectively and efficiently. We accelerate growth and get tangible results.
Where we do it
Our perspective, and our projects, take us to all parts of Europe, North America, Australasia, SE Asia and Latin America. Our teams are based in Germany and the UK.
We have delivered projects in these sectors:
- Agritech
- AI
- Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics
- Biotech & Pharma
- Connected & Autonomous Mobility
- Enterprise Tech: SAAS; Cybertech; Regtech
- Greentech and Net Zero
- Healthtech
- Quantum Computing
- Robotics
- Semi-Conductors
- Sports Tech
Investment Attraction
Manuka’s in-market teams collaborate with governments and businesses to drive foreign direct investment (FDI). We support locations in attracting investors through innovative marketing strategies while helping companies discover and capitalize on unique investment opportunities worldwide.
Inward Investment Consultancy Services
Our expertise spans market and business intelligence, digital marketing, and FDI lead generation and representation. We also assist with business retention and expansion, as well as ecosystem and cluster development, including innovation and start-up scouting.
Business Intelligence
Manuka Business offers market research and business intelligence that delivers critical insights into a company’s strategies and international growth plans.
At the heart of this service is our proprietary business intelligence technology, HIVE, which integrates data from top sources and helps identify potential investors.
Marketing Services
Manuka Business’s marketing team offers a comprehensive range of services, including brand development, digital marketing, public relations, and social media. We support you throughout the entire marketing process, from strategy and planning to execution and assessment.
For us, marketing success isn’t just about creating awareness and attracting views. We craft effective marketing solutions that promote locations to a wide audience while staying focused on the relevant target groups that drive qualified conversions and prospects. Ultimately, our marketing efforts foster personal relationships and deliver tangible results.
FDI Lead Generation
Manuka Business offers lead generation services that create valuable employment opportunities and attract capital investments for investment promotion agencies worldwide. Our proven process goes beyond just setting appointments—it includes market research, business intelligence, engaging with potential investors, arranging qualified meetings, and converting interest into real investments.
Our Process
Our on-the-ground teams handle the entire process for you, from identifying and connecting with potential investors to building a robust lead pipeline and ultimately securing investment deals. We ensure that our clients engage directly with decision-makers and have informed discussions about mature business opportunities and corporate locations.
Cluster Development
Manuka Business introduces a ground-breaking approach to attracting investment, assisting regions, cities, and technology parks in transforming their unique ecosystems or clusters into global hubs of knowledge, innovation, and growth.
Beyond Expectations
Our offerings extend far beyond traditional investment attraction; we also focus on trade development, innovation scouting, and fostering research and development collaborations between institutions and companies. Additionally, our teams actively monitor and identify emerging technologies and key players that align with and enhance the ecosystem of our clients.
Strategic Partnerships
We specialise in identifying, evaluating, and facilitating strategic partnerships between essential organizations that will fuel cluster development. Our support enables Cluster Managers to discover leading educational institutions, start-up accelerators, research centres, as well as SMEs and multinational companies, and connect them to collaborative opportunities for advancing future technologies.
International Trade Development
Driving Export Growth and Expanding Global Reach
SMEs are the backbone of most economies, accounting for 90% of businesses worldwide. In emerging markets, they generate seven out of every ten jobs. However, to sustain and scale, SMEs must build resilience by expanding their customer base and diversifying into international markets. Yet, limited resources and a lack of export experience often pose significant challenges. This is where Trade Promotion Agencies play a crucial role.
More than 30 of the world’s leading Trade Promotion Agencies—including DBT, London & Partners, Baden Württemberg International and Indiana Economic Development Corporation trust our Partners to recruit, upskill, and support SMEs in establishing a foothold in key international markets.
A Fresh Approach to Export Growth
At Manuka, we master the fundamentals—market research, distributor and customer sourcing, and virtual or in-market B2B matchmaking. But we go further. Our digitally enabled, holistic, and cluster-driven approach is redefining how businesses scale internationally, delivering exponential export growth for our clients.
In-Market Representation
Manuka Business offers agencies an on-the-ground presence, leveraging local expertise and networks to quickly support SMEs and accelerate their export growth.
Market Prioritisation
Manuka Business supports Trade Promotion Agencies and their SMEs by delivering in-depth insights into market potential, competitive dynamics, and entry challenges.
Export Strategy
Manuka Business guides businesses in crafting entry strategies that align with their capabilities and distinct value offerings, ensuring a strong market fit.
Distributor Identification
While distributor partnerships are a common entry route, many SMEs struggle to get it right. Manuka Business helps identify and engage the most suitable partners to drive brand presence and sales abroad.
Business Matchmaking
Once companies are ready to expand, we utilise our networks, CRM tools, and premium databases like to pinpoint, vet, and arrange 1-2-1 Meetings with high-potential prospects.
Trade Missions & Events
Manuka has experience of designing, leading and delivering over 300 virtual, in-person, and hybrid trade missions and delegations to top international trade events.
Our services are adaptable, ranging from arranging individual meetings to handling full event planning and logistics.
We streamline and manage the entire mission process, ensuring a smooth and transparent experience for businesses and Economic Development Organisations.
Clients in our diverse portfolio span a wide range of Trade Sectors
Meet the Management Team:
Nicola Pinder
Managing Director & Co-Founder
Simon Preston
Commercial Director & Co-Founder
MANUKA Business is part of the Creatives Loop International Group with offices in the UK and Germany.
More about our work in the Creative Tech sector -> use this link:
www.creativesloop.com
