Creative Catalyst 2023
UK registered micro and small businesses in the creative industries sector can apply for funding up to £50,000 with a package of support to grow their business.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £10 million in innovation projects. This funding is part of the Creative Catalyst.
The aim of this competition is to support business innovation within the creative industries by providing a package of targeted and continuous support to help businesses to grow.
Your proposal must:
- be from the creative industries or support the creative industries
- demonstrate clear benefits for the UK creative industry and the wider UK economy
- focus on a clear opportunity and the proposed innovation which addresses it
- demonstrate the impact funding and support can have to the growth plan of your business: if your proposal is successful you must work with an adviser from Innovate UK EDGE to maximise the impact of your project
Your project must:
- have a total grant funding request of no more than £50,000
- start by 1 June 2023
- end by 30 November 2023
- last between 3 and 6 months
- carry out all of its project work in the UK
- intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
Eligibility
To lead a project your organisation must:
- be a UK registered micro or small business (SME)
- have not previously received funding from Innovate UK
- be from the creative industries or support the creative industries
- have a demonstrable ambition for growth
- work with an Innovate UK EDGE advisor during your project to maximise its impact
An eligible business can only submit one application. We will not award you funding if you have been previously funded by Innovate UK or the Technology Strategy Board.
Scope
The aim of this competition is to support business innovation within the creative industries, by providing a package of targeted and continuous support to help businesses to grow.
Your project must:
- be related to and for the benefit of the creative industries in the UK
- demonstrate a clearly innovative and ambitious idea
- be new to your business, with a demonstrable impact to your growth plan
- create a new revenue stream, for example new products, services or IP
- respond to the changing market conditions, such as new modes of audience consumption, or the adoption of new technologies within the sector
- be market ready within 12 months of receiving support
- demonstrate value for money
We encourage proposals that can demonstrate benefit to the wider creative Industries subsector or regional cluster for example:
- support the fashion and textile’s transition to a circular model
- improve transparency and accountability across the online advertising supply chain
- create new revenue streams and fan engagement activities in the music sector
- demonstrate how advanced digital technologies, including, Metaverse, blockchain and AI, can transform the publishing sector
This list is not exhaustive and innovations from across the creative industries are welcome.
Specific areas
The creative industries are defined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Your project must focus on one or more of the following subsectors:
- advertising and Marketing
- architecture
- arts and culture
- broadcasting including sport
- crafts
- design
- fashion
- film
- games
- music
- publishing
An online briefing event was held 10am-noon on Friday 2nd December: click here to view the recording.
For more info on how to apply please see our Good Application Guide.
If you want help to find a project partner, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Creative Industries team.