Creative Enterprise Foundations is an intense business development programme specifically designed to address very-early stage screen businesses including film & TV, games, animation, immersive, creative tech.
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Applications are now closed.
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Who is it for?
The Foundations programme is for early stage companies (usually less than 2 years old) working in moving image for storytelling, spanning film, television, games, immersive and Createch*. Companies should be based in England, have some track record and be ready to take their business to the next level. We encourage applications from those who are currently underrepresented in the screen industry.
*We can support applicants working in solely branded content, if the company retain the IP (Intellectual Properties) rights of the content they produce or are actively looking to move away from commercial work and form a creative arm of the business.
We are aiming for a balanced regional representation across England with at least 80% of businesses coming from the regions outside of London.
Find out more about Foundations and Our Mentors:
What is involved?
Creative Enterprise Foundations programme will deliver a series of intense workshops and 121 business coaching sessions with proven industry leaders (valued at over £5,000) over three months where companies taking part in the programme will:
- Take part in 6 intensive workshops covering all aspects of business growth for screen industries.
- Receive one to one business coaching throughout the programme where you can take your learnings from the workshops and practically apply the knowledge learnt to your business.
- Create and complete a comprehensive plan to grow your businesses
- Get expert advice on business planning, funding, and finance, taking their businesses to market.
- Decision making and how to structure teams and hire the right talent
- Gain a greater understanding of revenue models and IP monetisation
- Learn directly from and build their network with proven industry leaders
- Have an expansive network of peers from your industry for support and encouragement
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Want to talk to our team about your business and what the best option is? Book a Discovery Call!
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Foundations Alumni
“I had loads of questions like “how do I expand upon this?” “How do I grow it?” You know, so these are the questions that went into the program with and yeah, I got, I got all the answers. So it was great to have that wealth of information at my doorstep.” Edd Coates, Game UI Database
“My business is now actually a business. It’s beyond the idea that I had. And it’s now a fully fledged business that’s got a plan, a business plan and clients and we’re actually moving forward.I have clarity, I have a vision, I have the business now. I’ve got an idea… It’s not just this pipe dream down the line thing that might happen. I have tangible steps how I’m going to get there. That’s fantastic.” Mikayla Sinead, Bridge Network Group
As a solopreneur, it was what I needed. I’ve had a great experience on the programme – meeting likeminded entrepreneurs and sharing knowledge and experience was so refreshing.
It can be tricky working without a co-founder as you’re in your head most of the time so speaking with my cohort was helpful. It allowed me to gain new perspective on an idea, reenforcing the knowledge I already have as well as gaining new insight into the industry. It was a very rewarding programme for me.
Audain Thompson, Hidden Kingdom
I’m so grateful to have been chosen for the Accelerate 2022 cohort. I gained important business knowledge and it also gave me the confidence in knowing that what I am doing in the industry with Inclusivity Films – a commitment to at least 50% d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent cast & crew on every set – is feasible and that there are people out there who support this.
As a neurodivergent creative myself, I don’t find all spaces accessible but that wasn’t the case with the Accelerate group. I feel that with the support of Creative UK I can move forwards and make a difference in the Film & TV industry.
Sarah Leigh, Inclusivity Films
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Any questions? Email our Creative Enterprise team.
***Applications are now closed.***
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Eligibility
The Foundations programme is only available to screen businesses registered in England working in or with narrative storytelling for public consumption (this means we are unfortunately able to support companies working solely in puzzle style games, or educational content for example)
You will need to show that your business has the potential and ambition to grow. To be considered for the programme, companies must:
- Be a founder (or co-founder) of a screen based narrative business working in storytelling for the moving image (this can include film/TV, games, immersive, createch)
- Be based in England
- Have some track record in the industry (produced film shorts, or developed a prototype for example)
- Be committed to the long-term development of your company
Deadline for Applications is 9am Monday 4th December 2023.
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Programme delivery schedule
Delivery of the programme will begin early March 2024 until late May 2024. Exact dates will be given when the final cohort is selected. There will be 2 full day in person workshops, and 4 half day online workshops, in additional to 3 one to one mentoring sessions with an industry leader.
In person sessions will be decided once we know where the cohort is based and will be a central location in England. Subsistence contribution applications are available to help those who need it for travel to access in person sessions. These funds are limited and are at the discretion of Creative Enterprise.
Participants will take part in:
- 6 x intensive workshops
- 3 x one-to-one coaching sessions
The workshops are intended to give you an overview of the subject matter in question. You will hear from industry experts as well as other company founders in the cohort, learning from their experiences.
The 1-2-1 coaching assists you to take your skills and knowledge to the next level and aimed to empower and support you to apply the right thinking and models for your business growth.
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Fees
There is a participation fee of £150 +VAT per company.
Creative Enterprise programmes are heavily subsidised by the BFI, overall, the workshops, support and 121 mentoring you will receive is valued at £5,000 per company. If you feel that the participation fee will be a substantial barrier to you being on the programme, please let the Creative Enterprise team know at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk to discuss options. We also have a bursary available to contribute towards travel and/or accommodation for in person sessions if needed.
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Programme Content Overview
Broad topics will include:
What are the Foundations of your business?
- Understanding your journey
- Defining your vision statement
- What is your brand and USP?
- The business model canvas
- Reviewing your business model and assessing additional options
- Building your growth plan
Building a strong company
- How to make the right hires for growth
- Community management
- Leadership and decision making
- Your employee structure
Finance and investment
- How to structure your finances for growth
- Funding options
- Making the most of public funding
- Private & public investors
- What do investors look for?
Marketing
- The basics of marketing and building a marketing plan
- Mastering SEO
- Understanding your audience
- Market crossovers
IP and revenue models
- Are you making the most of your IP?
- Retaining IP in contract deals
Confidence and Pitching
- Challenging the stigma of self promotion
- Know your sell, your company, your product, yourself
- Mastering your elevator pitch
At the end of the Foundations programme you will –
- Have received 121 business coaching, improving your mindset, confidence and ability to apply new skills learnt to your business
- Understand your business better, its potential revenue models, profitability and IP monetisation
- Be more confident in yourself, your business and your product, and have the skills to sell and pitch them
- Be able to master difficult conversations when negotiating and pitching
- Hone your leadership skills and have the confidence to apply them to your business
- Have created a plan to grow and scale your business
- Know how hire the right team and talent for your future growth
- Have an extensive network of screen leaders in the industry for support, advice and encouragement.
Should you have any access or communication requirements relating to our applications and guidance, then please contact the team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk or 0333 023 5240. Subsistence contributions are available to assist with the costs of travel and accessibility of the programme. Funds are limited and at the discretion of Creative England.
If you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements prior to applying, please get in touch with Creative Enterprise Team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk.
