Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £10 million in successful applicants in this competition. This is subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received. Your project’s total eligible costs must be between £100,000 and £500,000, and up to 70% of costs can be covered by the grant funding, depending on business size.
The aim of this competition is to support early stage innovation in the intersection of high growth potential Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier industries. This funding is to develop innovations beyond proof of concept, de-risking future investment and supporting long term sector growth. Learn more about the Creative Industries Sector Plan.
Your project must focus on commercial digital platforms and services in one of the following frontier industries:
- video games
- advertising and marketing
- film and TV
- music, performing and visual arts
Cross sector applications, and design businesses with createch innovation relating to the above sectors, are also eligible. See the Scope and Themes for more details.
Applications must be led by a UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprise (SME). The SME can work alone or collaborate with other organisations.
Your project must:
- have total costs between £100,000 and £500,000
- last between 9 and 12 months
- start by 1 January 2027
- end by 31 December 2027
Read more about the funding and apply (closing date 11 August 2026 at 11am).