North East Create Growth Programme

This programme is designed to support creative businesses with high-growth potential.

Provided by: Creative UK

Scheme details

Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland

Categories: Business support

Business stage: Start-up, Trading business

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and delivered by Creative UK in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, the Create Growth Programme has been designed to support creative businesses to explore and secure commercial investment opportunities. Selected businesses will gain access to a programme of activity including tailored workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and opportunities to connect with investors.

  • Does your business have creativity at its heart?
  • Do you work in one or more of the following sectors: advertising and marketing; architecture; crafts; design and designer fashion; film, TV, video, radio and photography; IT, software and computer services (including gaming); publishing; museums, galleries and libraries; music, performing and visual arts?
  • Do you have a business operating in the North East Combined Authority region? (Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, County Durham and Northumberland)
  • Is your business a Ltd Compay, CIC or Charity?
  • As a founder, do you need help building your confidence to make decisions on investment, IP, business structures and growth plans?

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your strategy, expand your reach, or secure the funding needed to take your creative business to the next level, the North East Create Growth Programme offers the tools, expertise and connections to help you thrive. 

Creative UK are particularly keen to hear from businesses who have creativity at their core and who have a strong ambition to grow and improve their business performance. For example, this can be in the form of advancing a product range, growing an audience, diversifying revenues, improving profit margin, becoming self-sustainable, securing investment or developing commercial partnerships.

If interested, complete the expression of interest form for the North East Create Growth Programme here. If you are eligible, the team will invite you to submit a full application form.

Deadline: 6 June 2025 at 5pm 

Take the next step...

For further information about this scheme, including how to apply, visit the provider website.

Find out more