The Create Growth Programme is a DCMS supported programme delivered by Innovate UK that aims to support high-growth creative businesses in six English regions. The regions covered by the programme are Greater Manchester, New Anglia, North of Tyne, West of England, South East and East Midlands.

The aim of the programme is to help creative businesses in these regions to scale and become investment ready through a targeted support package with three complementary strands across bespoke business support, investor outreach activities and a finance fund.

Innovate UK is providing a finance fund of up to £7 million to help creative businesses in Create Growth Programme regions to explore new innovation projects that will stimulate growth and attract private investment. The first part of this fund will be made available through a grant competition.

This virtual briefing event on Monday 5 December 2022 will outline the programme further and provide attendees the chance to ask further questions about what this opportunity can provide them.

UK registered micro and small businesses in the creative sector can apply for funding of up to £30,000 for innovation projects to grow their business.

Applicants must:

be from the creative industries
be from DCMS Create Growth Programme region
focus on a clear growth opportunity and the proposed innovation to address it
demonstrate the impact funding and support can have on the growth plan of  your business
engage with the regional support if your application is successful

The Creative Catalyst is a £30 million programme of phased financial and non-financial activities to provide end to end innovation support for high potential businesses in the creative sector.

The aim of this competition is to scale up innovation within the creative industries by providing a package of targeted and continuous support to help businesses to grow.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £10 million in innovation projects in this phase of the programme.

Successfully funded businesses in this competition will be provided priority access to Creative Catalyst support including:

Business growth support
Creative mentor networks
Investor accelerator funding
Inward investment programmes
Open innovation challenges
Research facilities

This online briefing event will outline the scope of the programme, the eligibility criteria and how UK registered micro and small businesses in the creative industries can apply for funding up to £50,000 to grow their business:

Applicants must:

be a UK registered micro or small business
have not previously received funding from Innovate UK
be from the creative industries or support the creative industries