News / Creative Industries
Scale up support for Bristol’s creative businesses
Invisible Circus, Moonraker and Open Bionics are among the businesses set to benefit from support to help them respond to the impact of Covid-19.
The next cohort of companies to enrol on the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) Creative Scale Up scheme will receive a £6,000 grant to spend on mentoring, training tailored to their needs, business development grants of up to £2,000 and a peer network.
The aim is to help organisations in the creative and culture sector respond to the unique challenges presented by the pandemic and boost their resilience.
Announcing the second cohort, regional mayor Tim Bowles said he wants to see these companies grow and thrive with the help of the support on offer.
“In response to Covid-19 we’ve made crucial changes to the programme to ensure our creative sector gets the support it needs to survive and emerge stronger,” said Bowles.
“The entrepreneurs and artists we’re working with have told us it’s reminding them they’re not alone but part of wider network of creative businesses. I know our latest participants will also find new ways of working together to survive and thrive, cementing the West of England as an excellent home for the creative industries.”
Recruitment for the third round of the programme is open until August 28, and creative companies within Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire can apply.
Rupert Howe, the co-founder of Stornaway, was among the first cohort and says the peer support network was a huge help for the company when it launched a new product in the middle of lockdown.
“It was fantastic to meet and develop connections with the leaders of such an unusually wide range of creative businesses,” said Rupert.
“We have developed a few ongoing relationships with our peers which we hope will continue to be mutually beneficial.
“As a result of the mentoring grant, we were able to find a world class mentor. Her insight and experience have helped us navigate the unknown waters of our early stage market. We hope that creative-focused investment opportunities continue to emerge as the scheme develops.”
The second cohort of businesses includes Squarebird; Soap Creative; Noiser; Mangostone; Cirque Bijou; Invisible Circus; Moonraker; Village Design; Limbic Cinema; Moresoda; Factory Studios; Studio Diva; nymbl; Box 2 Media; Open Bionics; Funnel Music; Fleur of England; Uniquity; Motion Impossible and We Are The Collaborators.
The Creative Scale Up steering board includes industry experts and draws on support available from national partners, including Creative England, Scale Up Institute, UK Business Angels Association and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
Businesses interesting in joining the Creative Scale Up programme are advised email creativescaleup@westofengland-ca.gov.uk to request an application as soon as possible. The application deadline August 28.
Main photo of Invisible Circus at Ashton Court Mansion, by Ramona Carraro
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