Creative East | Create Growth Programme | Ignite your business growth

Creative East is an industry led investment readiness and business support programme for the creative sector in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

This free to access programme and network provides expert advice and guidance to help ambitious creative industry founders gain the knowledge, experience and network they need to create investment opportunities and grow their business

Whilst Creative East’s 2023–2026 investment readiness programme has now completed, we continue to champion creative industry businesses across the region, connecting ambitious founders with the expertise, networks and investment opportunities they need to grow and supporting initiatives like the East of England Creative Industries Board.

To register your interest in future cohorts, please submit an EOI here.

What people are saying...

“Creative East has opened my eyes to the various models of investment, giving me some foundational business knowledge that I was missing. It’s given me one-on-one time with experts, particularly in business structuring and contracting, which is truly invaluable.

Phil Coles - Blue Pigeon (Production Company)

“The network accessed via Creative East from business mentors that were available for 1-2-1’s, to other business owners in a similar situation to me, meant that I felt I have been given real actionable support to get my business to its next phase.

Edwina Mullins - SocialB (Marketing & Skills Training Agency)

“The programme has been great – lots of insights and I’ve met some great people with lots of guidance, wisdom and experience.

Rob Lawrence - Podcast Plus Ltd (Audio Production and Coaching)

About the programme

A 10-week in-person programme (1 day pw) – alongside a curated cohort of other creative businesses, participants attend seminars, workshops and pitch practice sessions. Find out more about the programme structure.
Regular support from a dedicated Investment Funding Advisor – all our team have backgrounds in the sector -they will work with you one-to-one to create a bespoke plan to address your challenges, explore opportunities and develop new networks.
One-to-one mentoring – you will be supported by members of our network of industry professionals and specialists
Networking and Investment opportunities – Exclusive opportunities to meet creative industry investors, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and events.

To qualify your business must:

Be based in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Peterborough.
Be revenue generating.
Fall within the DCMS definition of Creative Industries;

What counts as a Creative Industry Sector?

You can be a registered business working in any of these areas (this is the DCMS definition of creative industries):

Advertising and Marketing
Architecture
Crafts
Design
Fashion
Film, TV, Video
IT, Software, Video Games and Computer Services
Museums, Galleries and Libraries
Music, Performing and Visual Arts
Publishing
Radio and Photography

How do I apply?

In 2022-2026 the Creative East programme delivered six fantastic cohorts across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Over 100 companies took part, representing a cross section of the creative industries from all four corners of our region.

To register your interest in future cohorts, please submit an EOI here.

Not sure if this programme is right for you? Send an email to a member of our team here. We are always happy to discuss.

Contact us

Programme partners

Creative East has received funding from the Create Growth Programme, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s commitment to the Creative Industries and forms part of a £16.3 million investment in the National Create Growth Programme. For more information about the wider programme please visit Innovate UK.

Delivered and managed by: