Support package for the south east’s creative businesses is announced 

Creative businesses in Brighton & Hove can now benefit from a special programme of support designed to help them scale, grow and prepare for future financial investment. 

The Create South East Investment Readiness Programme has been devised by a coalition of partners with funding from the DCMS. The programme will provide support for high-growth potential businesses in the creative industries across the South East, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to access investment.  

The programme starts this spring and runs to 2025. It will be delivered locally by Wired Sussex as well as Angels@Essex, Creative UK and Screen South. 

Martin Osborne Co-chair of Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee said: "This programme offers a wonderful opportunity for creative talent in our area to be supported to evolve, reach their business ambitions and prepare for investment - through learning, networking and mentoring. Whether you work in architecture, design, fashion, films, games, performance or TV, Create South East brings collective expertise to help creative businesses develop and flourish.” 

What’s on offer 

Business owners can benefit from 1-2-1 expert mentoring to help address challenges, explore opportunities and develop new networks. There will also be tailored workshops covering business foundations and discipline or sub sector- specific challenges, along with the opportunity to meet and pitch for investment as part of the national Create Growth Programme. 

Successful applicants will have the chance to join a curated cohort of their peers over a 9-month programme, giving them the opportunity to champion and learn from each other. The programme is free to the businesses that take part, with an estimated value of £10,000.  

For anyone with an ambition to successfully grow their creative business, now is the time to apply for this free government-backed programme of support. Businesses can do this by submitting an expression of interest form on the website and by keeping up to date with the programme by subscribing to the Create South East newsletter.  

There will be a webinar to introduce the programme on Friday 24 Feb at 11am-12pm. More information can be found in the event section of the Create South East website.    

About the Create Growth Programme  

The Create Growth Programme is a DCMS funded initiative that has identified six English regions outside London to benefit from £17.5 million over the next two years, to help scale up creative businesses and increase job opportunities. 

Companies will receive support through the Create Growth Programme to prepare themselves for investment. The six regions participating are: Greater Manchester, East Anglia, North East, West of England, South East and the East Midlands. 

A key aim of the Create Growth Programme is to support creative businesses to explore and secure commercial investment opportunities. Each of the selected regions will have a programme of activity that will enable businesses to be ready for investment and facilitate access to additional funding from Innovate UK and commercial investors in 2023 and beyond.   

For more information about Create South East please visit the website at: https://createsoutheast.org.uk/