Create South East Announces Two New Cohorts of Creative Businesses

We’re proud to announce over 50 new creative businesses joining the Create South East programme.

Create South East is announcing two cohorts of over 50 creative businesses joining the Investment Readiness programme. The companies are based across Kent, Essex and Sussex, and will benefit from support to develop the knowledge and skills needed to access investment.

Create South East Investment Readiness Programme, for high-growth potential businesses in the Creative Industries, is part of the Create Growth Programme funded by the Department of Media, Culture and Sport.

The programme offers a unique opportunity to the creative ecology across the South East of England, building a brand new community of ambitious founders across the areas of Kent, Essex, and Sussex. The programme seeks to bolster the creative community, providing them with new knowledge about commercial investment. The programme lasts between six to nine months and there are two stage options for businesses, covering both early and later stage business support.

Sixty-four companies have already benefitted from the programme. The third cohort recently gathered in Brighton for two-days of bespoke workshops and unique networking opportunities. The second cohort recently delivered their final showcase event where founders pitched their vision for growth and heard from investors about the regional and national investment landscape.

Create South East is a coalition of partners including: 

Kent County Council, Angels@Essex / University of Essex Innovation Centre Knowledge Gateway, Basildon Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Creative Estuary / University of Kent Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (ICCI), Creative UK, East Sussex County Council, Essex County Council, Medway Council, Screen South, South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and West Sussex County Council. The programme is delivered by: Angels@Essex, Creative UK and Screen South.

Dan Chilcott, Strategic Lead, Create South East commented

“Over the past year we’ve witnessed first-hand how Create South East has empowered creative founders to strengthen their proposition and develop meaningful connections with investors. Announcing another fifty companies who will benefit from going on this journey is a real moment of pride for the partnership. It shows the ongoing demand from the sector for this work and the huge growth potential of our region. We’re looking forward to working with this exciting group of locally-based businesses who have ambition to grow the Creative Industries in the South East.”