Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive 9-12 month, three phase programme with bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist throughout.

Get ready: A two-day preparation workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and opportunities, including cultural aspects, how to do business, protecting Intellectual Property, and support to better articulate your value proposition.

Visit the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through pre-arranged matchmaking events, meetings with key contacts, research organisations and potential collaborators and partners.

Exploit the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to help you follow-up and maximise the opportunities identified through the programme.

To apply for this GBIP, you must be:

• a UK-based, innovation-led marketing or advertising company with ambitions to grow and scale globally.
• developing an innovation that is beyond minimal-viable-product (MVP) stage
• a solely marketing or advertising company, not an advertising department within another industry
• a company with fewer than 250 employees
• the CEO, founder, or senior decision maker in the business
• able to attend all workshops and complete all activities

Businesses that have been on a previous GBIP (in the same market and/or technology area) will need to demonstrate they have exploited the previous opportunity to be considered and how this programme will add significant additional benefit. Preference may be given to businesses that have not participated previously.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, a business can only take part in two GBIPs in any rolling 12-month period (measured by the date of the Get Ready Workshop).

Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments, for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us.

You can contact us at any time to ask for guidance.

We recommend you contact us at least 15 working days before this GBIP’s closing date to allow us to put the most suitable support in place.  The support we can provide may be limited if you contact us close to the application deadline.

You can contact Innovate UK by email (support@iuk.ukri.org)  or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Singapore is one of the world’s most advanced and forward-thinking hubs for digital marketing innovation. The country combines a tech-savvy population, strong governmental support for digital transformation, and a highly connected business ecosystem that attracts global marketing, data, and analytics firms.

Its regional role as the headquarters for major tech platforms and agencies also means unmatched access to leading experts, cutting-edge solutions, and fast-growing Asian markets.

The delegation will experience valuable insights into frontier marketing technologies, foster high-impact partnerships, and position your organisation at the forefront of global marketing innovation.

MarTech Summit is a flagship event within the region, with three focused stages and two new thematic tracks, the agenda covers full-funnel strategy, customer experience, data, intelligence, and more – through keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and interactive sessions.

Within the trip we will also be engaging with local marketing and advertising brands, universities and regional experts to give clear insights into the areas ecosystem.

We are looking for Creative Industries businesses, ready to collaborate internationally, innovating beyond proof of concept and MVP within:

• Marketing & Technology
• Digital Transformation & AI
• Data & Analytics
• CRM
• Marketing Automation
• Performance & Demand Marketing
• Account-Based Marketing
• E-commerce Marketing
• Paid & Social Media
• SEO & SEM
• Brand & Content
• Customer Experience & Omnichannel
• Digital Platforms & Optimisation
• Experience & Design
• Sales Enablement
• Customer Intelligence
• Customer Behaviour & Personalisation
• Engagement
• Insights & Decision-Making Intelligence

Preference will be given to the Creative Catalyst cohort awardees (Creative Catalyst, Creative Industries Fund, Audience of the Future, SMART/Fast Start and Create Growth Programme). The intention is to have an equal split of (i) Creative Catalyst cohort awardees, and (ii) UK creative companies that have not yet received an award.

We reserve the option to adopt a portfolio approach to ensure a wide range of businesses represented across the sub-sectors and regions.

• Build market knowledge and intelligence
• Seed new business partnerships, develop RD&I collaborations, and identify partners for bilateral funding calls
• Introductions to senior figures and influential contacts
• Raise your profile and stimulate new business opportunities and ideas
• Improve your value proposition, hone your skills, and grow in confidence to tackle global markets
• Connect with peers, expand your network, and learn from like-minded, ambitious businesses

• Application Briefing – Thursday 18th December 2025 1pm
• Application deadline – Sunday 18th January 2026 6pm
• Application outcome – Friday 23rd January 2026
• Get ready workshop – Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th February 2026
• Market visit – Monday 9th to Friday 13th March 2026
• Exploit the opportunity workshop – June 2026

• Attending the MarTech Conference 2026
• Introductory briefing with the British Embassy
• Visits to research and technology organisations
• Company site visits and meetings with key contacts
• High quality networking opportunities

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel and conference fees for successful applicants.

Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded and the same person is required to participate in all parts of the programme.

On acceptance to the programme, a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each participant. This will be refunded on completion of the full activities (Get ready workshop, Visit, Exploit the opportunity workshop, and active engagement with an innovation and growth specialist) and agreed work plan.

Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all of the commitment fee.

“The Creative Catalyst Programme in Singapore was an eye-opening and highly productive experience, providing valuable insights into the country’s vibrant creative industry, dynamic business culture, and entrepreneurial spirit. Remarkably, this one-week visit has not only fostered meaningful connections but also unlocked exciting opportunities for future collaboration and growth.”

“The whole process of applying for, preparing for, participating in, and following up on the GBIP has proved transformative. I’ve been taken entirely out of my comfort zone, and been forced to engage with aspects of business and self-marketing that I would never have attempted otherwise. The preparation sessions, and time spent with the cohort have equipped me to approach my business with new energy.”

“The recent GBIP trip to Singapore was a highly valuable experience, offering a well-rounded program and opportunities for meaningful collaboration. The standout feature of the trip was the cohort itself. Innovate UK and RTC North did a fantastic job in selecting participants from complementary areas of the Media & Entertainment (M&E) space. This not only avoided direct competition but also fostered the potential for future collaboration, which I see as one of the biggest long-term benefits.”

“The visit organised by the GBIP team went way beyond my expectations. So many highly beneficial leads and connections have been made, it has given our company a huge boost – we are in negotiation now with several companies who are new to us, and this will lead to very lucrative relationships in a new export area, opening up the Asian market to us.”

“The trade mission to Singapore, facilitated by GBIP Creative Catalyst, has opened numerous avenues for growth, collaboration, and innovation. From virtual production services and content co-productions to software integrations and educational initiatives, we have established a foundation for significant future engagement.”

To find out more about the programme, attend the applicant briefing, which will take place Thursday 18^th December 1pm. Click here to join the briefing on Teams at 1pm on 18th December. A recording will be made available afterwards.

The online application form can be found here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L3QWKJC

If you have any questions, we are happy to help, email us at event.enquiries1@iukbg.ukri.org.

To make a complaint please follow the Innovate UK complaints procedure.