Creative UK is backing Scotland’s creative businesses by partnering with Scottish EDGE to introduce a new, £100k Creative Award for the sector.
The award is just one of those making up the 23rd round of Scottish EDGE, which opens for applications on February 7 and will offer a total of £1.5m to high-growth Scottish businesses.
Scotland’s creative industry contributes an estimated £5bn to the economy annually, with the new category aiming to support organisations to be part of this growth, both through the funding element and via access to the Scottish EDGE partner network of service providers.
To date, Scottish EDGE has supported 602 businesses, awarding more than £25m in grants and loans while helping to create around 3,500 jobs.
Evelyn McDonald, chief executive of Scottish EDGE, said: “The introduction of the Creative Award highlights the significant contribution of this sector to the Scottish economy.
“With the generous support of Creative UK, this award will help to raise the profile of creative organisations and transform their imaginative and innovative ideas into reality.“
Tim Evans, investment director at Creative UK, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Scottish EDGE on the Creative Award. Scotland’s creative sector adds value in every sense of the word – with innovators and creators bringing exciting new ideas to life, and creative businesses driving the economy forward.”
Scottish EDGE is a funding competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s innovative, high growth potential entrepreneurial talent. It is funded by the Hunter Foundation, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and private donors and is delivered twice per year.
Applications for the latest round are being accepted until 6 March. The two-day pitching final will take place at Edinburgh Napier University Business School and the Royal Bank of Scotland Conference Centre on May 9 and 10.
