The Creative East: Create Growth Programme is a free to access investment readiness and business support programme designed to connect creative businesses with the resources, experts and knowledge they need to grow. It has been specifically designed for ambitious creative industry businesses based in Cambridge and Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Creative East have already delivered three successful iterations of the programme in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridge, supporting 55 businesses to date.
The programme is currently recruiting for the final cohort which will be launching in September, based at the Anglia Ruskin University campus in Peterborough.
Participants can expect to receive:
- A 12- week in person programme of specialist seminars, workshops, pitching sessions and networking events. Taking place on Tuesdays, weekly, from 10th September to 10th December 2024.
- Bespoke one to one support from an Investment Funding Advisor and access to our network of industry professionals and specialists across relevant fields.
To qualify businesses must:
- Be based in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk or Suffolk.
- Be revenue generating (not a start-up).
- Employ (directly or as freelancers) at least two full time equivalent staff.
- Fall within the DCMS definition of Creative Industries (film, tv, radio, photography, advertising, marketing, architecture, computer games, IT, software, publishing, music performing and visual arts).
- Creative East is particularly interested in applications from businesses in the gaming and film/TV industries.
Interested businesses can find more information and submit a short expression of interest form here: www.creativeeast.org.uk
Edwina Mullins of Marketing & Skills Training Agency SocialB says:
"The most valuable element for me was meeting the network accessed via Creative East, from other business owners in a similar situation to me through to business mentors that were available for 121s. This holistic approach meant that I felt I have been given real actionable support to get my business to its next phase."
Phil Coles from Production Company, Blue Pigeon says:
"Creative East has opened my eyes to the various models of investment, giving me some foundational business knowledge that I was missing. It’s given me one-on-one time with experts, particularly in business structuring and contracting, which is truly invaluable, it’s shown me how to prepare a professional business plan at the exact time I needed it, and the whole process has helped me to analyse and streamline my vision for my company. "
