What We Do

What’s the programme?

This programme is designed to support creative businesses with high-growth potential, between the seed and scaling stages, with the support and the investment they need to grow their business and turn their innovative creative ideas into the leading creative businesses of the future.

Through a suite of business support initiatives, this tailored support for high growth creative businesses aims to develop businesses knowledge, skills and access to finance, so they are able to secure investment to enable growth.

The package of support includes:

• Investment Bootcamps
  • An opportunity for cohorts of 20 high-growth businesses. This course offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help entrepreneurs assess their businesses, craft growth strategies, establish investment objectives and network with potential investors. The programme is designed to be flexible, with tailored 1-2-1 sessions and peer group sessions. By the end of the programme, each participant will be able to take their business to new heights with newfound knowledge and skills.
• Business Support
  • Support initiatives include a suite of workshops, (covering topics such as Intellectual Property, business models and access to new markets), as well as one-to-one mentoring and peer learning.
• Events and Networking
  • A series of engaging events designed for creative businesses to gain valuable insights into the programmes available and learn how to access support.
• Funding
  • Innovate UK are an investment partner in the national Create Growth programme and run funding competitions to facilitate business growth. Targeted finance will be provided to selected businesses who can demonstrate that they are investment ready and can grow through leveraging further private investment.

Who is this for?

Businesses with high growth potential operating in the following sectors:

• IT/Software and Computer Services
• Design/Designer Fashion
• Publishing
• Film and TV

Businesses can be classed as ‘high-growth potential’ if they are able to demonstrate the following:

• Turnover growth of 10% year-on-year over approx. 3 years
• Employing a minimum of 2 people over the last two years
• Created a revenue generating product, launched a new platform or service or reached a market of scale
• Generated a sales revenue in the last 2 years.

How do I access?

Delivered in partnership with Creative UK and Innovate UK.  To find out more information please visit the Create Growth webpage or if you’d like to get in touch to register with the programme please email northeast@wearecreative.co.uk