Creative Enterprise programme returns for 2021

Creative Enterprise returned this month with a host of programmes and initiatives designed to support businesses of any size working in moving image for storytelling, spanning film and tv, games, tech and immersive. Wherever you are up to on your business journey, if you have ambitions to grow and scale we can help you realise your goals.

The Creative Enterprise programme has given invaluable support, in both connections and funding to allow me to build a company with a competitive edge.
I’ve found the the Enterprise programme really push their business leaders to be innovative so that they drive the creative industry forward as a whole and help put UK SMEs on the radar.

Evolve
The Creative Enterprise: Evolve programme is designed to prepare high-potential screen businesses to seek investment and growth capital. Over a nine-month period, successful applicants gain direct access to leading industry experts and investors, combining one-to-one mentoring sessions, peer-to-peer group meetings and pitch preparation. The selective programme helps businesses to evaluate their current offering, define their goals and formulate a strategy and approach to successfully engage investors.

I would hugely recommend the Evolve program – it will give you a thorough understanding of the investment process and also guide you in the best way to achieve your goal. The ongoing mentoring and learning program has been invaluable.

Applications close Wednesday 7th July for the programme to start immediately thereafter.

Female Founders Scale Up
The Female Founders scale up programme offers an in-depth package of support, advice and professional coaching to female business owners, across a period of eight-months. Aiming to help female entrepreneurs working in film, TV, games and tech to build, expand and future-proof their businesses, it provides laser-focused sessions on issues such as business planning, funding, strategy, making the right hires and monetising IP.

This programme has transformed my company. After a difficult Covid year we’re stepping into 2021 feeling refreshed, refocused and incredibly enthusiastic about what the future holds. It’s impossible to overstate the difference the programme has made. It’s forced myself and my business partner to look at everything we do, and how we do it; what helps us – and what holds us back. It’s been bloody brilliant!

Applications close on 21st July at Midday.

Games Scale Up
The Games Scale Up programme is a 6-month programme, developed in partnership between Creative England and games trade body Ukie, to support games developers, publishers or support services. The programme has been devised with industry leaders for games businesses who are looking to develop and grow their business.

The programme has stood out for its incredible line up of industry speakers, representing a hugely aspirational range of success stories. Being part of a cohort of similar companies at different stages of their scale up journeys has proven invaluable for seeing what can be possible.

Applications close on 6th August at 5pm.

Business Planning Grants
The Business Planning Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support companies with the creation and implementation of business proposals and strategies. These funds are intended to subsidise the cost of acquiring the specialist expertise, knowledge and contacts needed to refine a robust and effective three-year business plan.

It really made me think about how to create a sustainable business. I’ve found all the information I’ve gained from the experts the grant paid for has allowed me to formulate a clear understanding of the market potential and how the TV business operates.

New Ideas Fund
The New Ideas Fund offers grants to creative practitioners and companies working in moving image. With grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 available, recipients can develop innovative ideas and technology, to better position them for future growth.

The New Ideas Fund grant is enabling us to do valuable research into new ways of mixing live action and animation. For small indies like ours, support to try out new ideas can help us take massive steps forward.

Screen Growth Programme
The Screen Growth Programme is a 10-part, open access programme we will walk through the different stages of owning and scaling a creative business in chronological order of growth, led by experts in the industry. No prior experience or knowledge is required to join.

Creative Enterprise has been developed with National Lottery funding from the BFI. The National Lottery raises over £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.