Creative UK is pleased to announce a £750,000 investment in award-winning e-commerce and digital marketing agency Venture Stream. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Venture Stream’s investment is drawn from both the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme and Creative UK’s landmark Creative Growth Finance fund. Delivered in partnership with the North of Tyne Combined Authority, the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme offers first of its kind financial and business support to those working in the cultural and creative industries in North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle.
Venture Stream was founded in 2014 by Vic Morgan, and has since recorded uninterrupted growth across its turnover, client base and workforce, today managing over 60 accounts from a wide range of sectors. The company nurtures its current talent-pool of 27 employees through a top-rate “people-first” culture, and has recently been recognised as a Great Place to WorkTM. Creative UK’s investment enables Venture Stream to accelerate the growth of its consulting business and launch an online marketplace to help top freelancers find work (“Flow Marketplace” or “Flow”).
Caroline Norbury MBE, Chief Executive, Creative UK, said: “Venture Stream is a fantastic example of the type of creative business we want to invest in – one with not only a strong growth story and market performance, but also a clear commitment to their Environmental, Social and Governance responsibilities. We are particularly delighted that part of Creative UK’s investment is drawn from the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, with the growth and success of Venture Stream primed to generate high-quality employment opportunities within the North of Tyne region’s creative economy.”
Carol Bell OBE, Strategic Engagement Lead, North of Tyne, Creative UK, said: “We are very pleased to be investing in Venture Stream, a brilliant North East business that promises to create high-quality opportunities within the North of Tyne region. We have no doubt that with our support they will continue to enhance the creative and digital eco system of the area, setting an example that we hope similar businesses in the region will follow.”
Gab Nardo, Investment Manager, Creative UK, said: “Venture Stream immediately stood out for its impressive track record of growth and profitability, rather uncommon for businesses at this stage of development. At the core of its success, we have found a truly distinguishing no-nonsense and ROI-oriented approach to their services, which together with the company’s ability to retain top-talent, places Venture Stream in a strong position to take advantage of a sizeable and growing market opportunity. Having observed the vision and entrepreneurial pedigree that Vic Morgan has demonstrated within different sectors, we look forward to supporting the continued growth of Venture Stream in the market, including the roll-out of the Flow platform.”
Vic Morgan, Founder and CEO, Venture Stream, said: “It’s great to have Creative UK on board as a strategic investor, supporting Venture Stream’s award-winning ecommerce and digital marketing business. With their support, we’re now able to expand our commitment to people-first strategies, including our 4-day work week initiative and creating work for ecommerce and digital marketing freelancers globally through our new Flow marketplace platform. Our team has always been at the heart of our business, and we look forward to continuing our journey with the financial support of Creative UK, one of the leading backers of talent and innovation in the creative and digital economy.”
The North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme is investing over £2 million on behalf of the North of Tyne Combined Authority through loan and equity financing. Providing loans of between £50,000-£150,000 and equity finance in the range of £50,000-100,000 per investment, the programme offers long-term finance for commercially viable, growth-minded businesses that are innovative, operate in the creative and cultural sector, and are able to deliver meaningful impact in the region. For further information please visit www.wearecreative.uk/northoftyne/north-of-tyne-investment/ or contact Rahul Misra, Investment Manager, North of Tyne, Creative UK on rahul.misra@wearecreative.uk
Creative Growth Finance is a specialist investor dedicated to the Creative Industries, co-funded by Triodos Bank. The fund has a proven track record of identifying and working with businesses to unlock potential and accelerate growth. For further information, including the fund’s eligibility criteria, please visit www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise/investment/creativegrowthfinance or contact Gab Nardo, Investment Manager, Creative UK on gab.nardo@wearecreative.uk