The West of England Combined Authority are one of 6 successful regions who have been awarded £1.275m from DCMS to support local creative businesses to unlock economic growth. The Create Growth Programme will build on the success of the Creative Scale Up Pilot (2019-2022) and aims to support high-growth creative businesses to scale and become investment ready through a targeted business support package.
The Create Growth Programme consists of three complementary strands:
We are looking for companies who are exploring new growth opportunities, this could include, but is not exclusive to:
This programme is not looking to support 'business as usual', but for new business activity that will lead to growth.
A £2500 grant to spend on professional sector specific expertise (mentoring, coaching and/or consultancy)
Image credit: Watershed You will receive a dedicated Peer Support Programme, including a minimum of six facilitated peer group sessions.
Image credit: Watershed 8 monthly training sessions delivered by creative industry specialists.
Applications are now closed. Applicants needed to demonstrate they meet two or more of the criteria below:
Turnover growth of 10% year-on-year over approximately 3 years (including either prior to or during the pandemic) 
Employing a minimum of 2 people over the last two years (full-time, part-time or freelance) 
Created a revenue generating product, launched a new platform or service or reached a market of scale 
Generated a sales revenue in the last 2 years Applicants also had to show:
Your business is operating in one of the following Creative sub-sectors: Advertising & Marketing, Architecture, Arts & Culture, Craft, Createch, Design, Fashion, Gaming, Music, Publishing, TV and Film. 
And that you have a registered and/or trading address in the Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire local authority area.