Impact Funding Resources
UK registered micro, small and medium enterprises in the creative sector can apply for a share of up to £8 million for innovation projects to grow their business. This funding is from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to high growth creative businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. This funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.
The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to high growth creative businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. This funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.
Start Date31 Mar 2025 End Date29 May 2025 Funding AmountGBP 20k to 50k Funding Resource TypeGrant
Funding ProviderDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS),Innovate UK
Grant
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS),Innovate UK
The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to high growth creative businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. This funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.
Your proposal must:
• be from the creative industries
• be a micro, small or medium sized enterprise registered or operational in a DCMS Create Growth Programme region
• focus on a clear growth opportunity and the proposed innovation to address it
• demonstrate the impact funding and support can have on the growth plan of your business
• demonstrate how your business has either engaged with, or intends to engage with the ongoing regional support provided by the programme
Your project must:
• offer an innovative and ambitious idea which demonstrates a clear growth opportunity
• be new to your business
• have a demonstrable impact to your growth plan, for example, start the process of creating a new revenue stream, such as new products, services or intellectual property (IP)
• demonstrate a route to commercialisation within 12 months of receiving support with a clear plan for attracting additional private finance
• benefit the wider creative cluster or region in England you are based in
• be able to start rapidly
• demonstrate value for money
The creative industries are defined by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Your project must focus on one or more of the following sub-sectors:
• advertising and marketing
• architecture
• crafts
• design and designer fashion
• film
• television
• video
• radio
• photography
• IT, gaming, software and computer services
• publishing
• museums, galleries and libraries
• music, performing and visual art
The funding is for 12 regions across England appointed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) Create Growth Programme.
The 12 regions are:
• Greater Manchester
• Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire
• North East of England
• West of England and Cornwall
• South East Coast
• Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire
• Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Hull and East Yorkshire
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire
• Devon
• Hertfordshire
