Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to invest up to £8 million in innovation projects. This programme has a regional focus.
The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to high growth creative businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. This funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.
The 12 DCMS Create Growth Programme appointed regions are:
- Greater Manchester
- Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire
- North East of England
- West of England and Cornwall
- South East Coast
- Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire
- Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
- Hull and East Yorkshire
- West Midlands
- West Yorkshire
- Devon
- Hertfordshire
To be sure of eligibility, check your local council with your post code.
Your proposal must:
- be from the creative industries
- be from a micro, small or medium sized enterprise registered or operational in an appointed 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
- demonstrate how your business has either engaged with, or intends to engage with the ongoing regional support provided by the programme
The programme support comprises of three complementary strands:
- business support targeted at the creative industries
- finance
- investor capacity building activities
The Create Growth Programme Competition 4 is split into 2 strands;
Strand 1: DCMS Create Growth Programme Competition 4: small projects (£20k-£50k per project, 100% funded)
Strand 2: DCMS Create Growth Programme Competition 4: large projects (projects with total eligible costs between £50,000 and £200,000, up to 70% funded depending on business size)
You can apply to this programme once (i.e. in only one strand). It is your responsibility to ensure you submit your application to the correct strand for your project. You will not be able to transfer your application, and it will not be sent for assessment if it is out of scope. If you are unsure of which strand is appropriate, Innovate UK Business Connect’s Creative Industries team can advise.
Innovate UK Business Connect are helping businesses in accessing and engaging with the regional support.