Applications Open: Create Growth Programme in North Somerset
22nd September 2025
High-growth creative businesses in North Somerset can now apply for two fully funded support programmes designed to help businesses grow, attract investment and build long-term resilience.
Since 2022, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has been one of 12 regions delivering the national Create Growth Programme, supporting high-growth creative businesses to scale, attract investment and build long-term resilience.
So far, 60 creative businesses have been supported through Create Growth, building on the success of the Creative Scale-Up Pilot (2019–2022) and the Creative Sector Growth Programme, which supported a further 180 businesses.
In January 2025, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced a one-year extension of Create Growth. This means high-growth businesses in the music, creative technology and screen sectors will continue to benefit from tailored support across 2025–2026.
Two tailored initiatives are now open to support high-growth creative businesses in the region. These programmes provide expert guidance, mentoring and resources to help businesses scale, attract investment and build long-term resilience.
Music Business Support Programme: Two Step (Scale)
Delivered by Gill Wildman (Upstarter) and Plot, this programme will support 10 ambitious music businesses to strengthen their resilience and scale successfully.
Support includes:
- Workshops, peer-to-peer sessions, masterclasses and panel talks
- Access to mentors, networks and sector experts
- Freelance support on completion (up to 30 hours at London Living Wage)
Eligibility:
Businesses must be based in the West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset) and meet at least two of the following:
- Trading for three years or more
- Achieved 10% or more turnover growth
- Two or more team members
- New income stream developed in the past year
- Actively selling
Deadline: Friday 9 October
Creative Technology Business Support Programme
Delivered by The Studio at Bath Spa University, this programme will support 8–10 creative technology businesses to strengthen commercial foundations, improve investment readiness and develop sustainable growth strategies.
Support includes:
- Expert-led workshops, peer learning and mentoring
- 12-month residency at The Studio, Bath with BSU BOOST access
- Fireside conversations and expert surgeries
Eligibility:
Businesses must be based in the West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset). Applicants should be:
- Founders or leadership teams of creative technology businesses
- Working in immersive and XR, digital media, games, design tech, music/film tech or creative AI
- At a scaling or investment-readiness stage
Deadline: Sunday 12 October
Coming soon: Screen sector support
A series of investment-focused events for screen businesses ready to scale will launch at the beginning of 2026. Businesses can sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear once live.
Both programmes are fully funded and open to creative businesses based in the West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset).
We encourage eligible businesses to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to scale, connect with sector experts and build long-term resilience.
