Since 2022, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has been one of 12 regions delivering the national Create Growth Programme, supporting high-growth creative businesses to scale, attract investment, and build long-term resilience.

So far, over 60 creative businesses have been supported through Create Growth, building on the success of the Creative Scale-Up Pilot (2019–2022) and the Creative Sector Growth Programme, which supported a further 180 businesses.

In January 2025, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) announced a one-year extension of Create Growth. This means high-growth businesses in the music, creative technology, and screen sectors will continue to benefit from tailored support across 2025–2026.

If you’re a business in one of these sectors looking to scale, explore the programmes below:

Create Growth Programme logo

Our 2025–26 programmes

Music business support programme: Two Step (Scale)

Delivered by Noods Levels CIC & Gill Wildman (Upstarter), this programme will support 10 ambitious music businesses to scale and strengthen their resilience.

Support includes:

  • 6 Growth Project Workshops
  • 4 Peer-to-Peer Sessions
  • 3 Online Masterclasses
  • 2 Evening Panel Talks

Participants will build confidence in managing IP, finance, law, teams and growth, while gaining access to mentors, networks and sector experts to boost industry access and capacity.

The programme is now closed for applications.

Creative technology business support programme

Delivered by The Studio at Bath Spa University, this tailored programme will support 8–10 creative technology businesses with high potential for growth, operating at the intersection of creativity, technology and social value.

Support includes:

  • Thematic workshops on business models, finance, IP, marketing & growth
  • Peer learning and expert mentoring
  • Access to networks, resources and sector specialists
  • 12-month Studio Residency

Participants will strengthen their commercial foundations, improve investment readiness, and develop resilient strategies for sustainable growth.

Apply for the Creative Technology Programme now

Screen sector workshops

A series of investment-focused events for screen businesses ready to scale. These sessions will be launching at the beginning of 2026. Sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear once live.

Sign up to hear once the screen sector workshops open

 

Consortium Members

The Mayoral Combined Authority are the lead organisation in a consortium including North Somerset Council, Watershed Arts Trust, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP & Creative UK.

Find out more about the Cornwall Create Growth Programme.

Our funding

The Create Growth Programme is funded by Department for Media, Sport & Culture and is led by national delivery partners Innovate UK.

Find out more about their activity (opens in new tab).