Creative businesses receive funding boost to spur future growth
The North East of England is set to be one of six English regions outside of London to have access to a new £17.5 million funding pot to help creative businesses expand their operations, attract additional investment, and create jobs.
The region has been awarded £1.275 million in grant funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to develop a targeted programme of business support. Creative enterprises in the North East of England will receive assistance through the North East Create Growth Programme (CGP) to help get themselves investment ready.
The North East CGP will be delivered through a blend of workshops and masterclasses, led by Creative UK in partnership with regional sector experts North East Screen, Creative Fuse, Generator, New Writing North, North East Growth Hub and Sunderland Software City.
Councillor Malcolm Brain, Cabinet Member for the Economy at Gateshead Council said:
Gateshead has continually invested in the creative and cultural sectors, whether that be establishing a leading immersive technology hub at PROTO or the ongoing cultural development of the Quays area.
The North East Create Growth Programme is a great opportunity to work with regional partners to keep building a thriving creative community in the North East and maximise its economic benefits for our residents.
The North East will also benefit from a number of investor building activities such as networking and pitching events to attract investment and exchange ideas. Businesses will be able to additionally apply for a share of a new £7 million investment fund to fuel their expansion.
Companies applying for finance will need to demonstrate their potential to grow rapidly and become sustainable through private investment. The investment fund and investor building activities will be delivered by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK.
The creative industries are one of the major success stories of the UK economy in recent years and this investment will help ensure they continue to thrive. The creative sectors have grown at twice the rate of the wider economy since 2010, generating approximately £115.9 billion for the economy,and providing over two million jobs.
Creative Industries Minister, Julia Lopez, said:
"From product design and video games to music and film, the creative industries are a stellar UK success story. Today's plans will help get more creative businesses off the ground so they can spread jobs and wealth and help more people, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, break into these world-class sectors."
If you are a North East creative business and would like learn more about CGP, you can contact Business Gateshead or visit here.
The Create Growth programme is one of three initiatives launched by the DCMS to target creative businesses alongside a Creative Careers programme and a UK Games Fund.
The North East of England is set to be one of six English regions outside of London to have access to a new £17.5 million funding pot to help creative businesses expand their operations, attract additional investment, and create jobs.
The region has been awarded £1.275 million in grant funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to develop a targeted programme of business support. Creative enterprises in the North East of England will receive assistance through the North East Create Growth Programme (CGP) to help get themselves investment ready.
The North East CGP will be delivered through a blend of workshops and masterclasses, led by Creative UK in partnership with regional sector experts North East Screen, Creative Fuse, Generator, New Writing North, North East Growth Hub and Sunderland Software City.
Councillor Malcolm Brain, Cabinet Member for the Economy at Gateshead Council said:
Gateshead has continually invested in the creative and cultural sectors, whether that be establishing a leading immersive technology hub at PROTO or the ongoing cultural development of the Quays area.
The North East Create Growth Programme is a great opportunity to work with regional partners to keep building a thriving creative community in the North East and maximise its economic benefits for our residents.
The North East will also benefit from a number of investor building activities such as networking and pitching events to attract investment and exchange ideas. Businesses will be able to additionally apply for a share of a new £7 million investment fund to fuel their expansion.
Companies applying for finance will need to demonstrate their potential to grow rapidly and become sustainable through private investment. The investment fund and investor building activities will be delivered by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK.
The creative industries are one of the major success stories of the UK economy in recent years and this investment will help ensure they continue to thrive. The creative sectors have grown at twice the rate of the wider economy since 2010, generating approximately £115.9 billion for the economy,and providing over two million jobs.
Creative Industries Minister, Julia Lopez, said:
"From product design and video games to music and film, the creative industries are a stellar UK success story. Today's plans will help get more creative businesses off the ground so they can spread jobs and wealth and help more people, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, break into these world-class sectors."
If you are a North East creative business and would like learn more about CGP, you can contact Business Gateshead or visit here.
The Create Growth programme is one of three initiatives launched by the DCMS to target creative businesses alongside a Creative Careers programme and a UK Games Fund.
