Autumn 2023 Cohort

This session gives an overview of the Creative East Programme, how it works, what to expect and what is on offer to businesses on the programme. It also offers an overview of investment readiness as a concept. Raising investment, what types of investment there are, the types of investors and what they are looking for and what to expect from taking on investment. The session will give an overview of what founders need in order to have an investable business.

Included in this session will be a case study from BAFTA nominated producer Debbie Gray. Debbie will be talking about her business journey, including fundraising for the core business and financing individual projects.

Debbie Gray is a Producer and Executive Producer with over 30 years’ experience in Film, Television and Music. Having produced BAFTA nominated and awardwinning film Northern Soul, The More You Ignore Me; by Jo Brand, Mrs Lowry and Son starring Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave, Good Luck to You Leo Grande starring Emma Thompson and A Christmas Number One starring Freida Pinto.

This masterclass is an interactive session that will demystify a Business Strategy and Plan. It will look at the purpose of a strategy that feeds into the Business Plan, the key components of a good Business Plan, the important points to consider, and how to write one that stands out and shows your own unique creative expression.

Meeta Thareja is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience. She is a well-established business mentor for start-ups and SMEs in the UK.

This session will give cohort companies feedback and tips on how they communicate about their business. Each company will be asked to give an ‘elevator pitch’ to the group and then feedback will be given.

This masterclass will focus on planning your pitch, what to include and the different ways to deliver a pitch.  Simon has a wealth of experience in both pitching himself, and making investment decisions on the back of seeing 1000’s of pitches.  From that wealth of experience Simon will give insights into the “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” or rather the lessons learned and good practices when pitching.

Simon Hopkins has worked for over 20 years in the entertainment industry. He co-founded Angel Academe, a fast-growing angel network, in 2014.

From angels to investment funds, this session looks at how to prepare for investment, the types of documents you’ll need, the way to present them and your business to investors and funds. Explaining key elements such as share structures, CAP tables, dilution and valuation, this session is a step by step guide from start to finish on what to expect from the investment process.

Sally Goodsell has been investing in, mentoring and coaching ambitious early-stage companies for over 30 years. She is currently a director of Anglia Capital Group, a business angel group based in East Anglia.

This session will provide participants with an understanding of the different types of funding there is available and how all the different ways of funding can fit together. How other forms of funding fit in with growth plans and equity investment, what support is available for growth plans, understanding the link between investment and skills development, and how to make your funding applications successful.

Chris Filip has a background in games and interactive, with his most recent few years focusing on helping out companies and freelancers in film, TV, animation and VFX. Throughout his career, Chris has worked for Ubisoft, set up Game Anglia, been a Programme Manager for Creative UK (formerly Creative England) and the BFI.

This masterclass will cover aspects of Intellectual Property most relevant to the creative industries. The session will focus on the IP rights that are most prevalent in art, design, performance, and media – copyright and registered and unregistered design right. It will also cover how patents and trade marks can be used to further strengthen an IP portfolio, and look at what to do if someone is found copying your work, and how you can take action to avoid this happening in the first place. The session will be fully interactive and will include case studies and practical tips.

Jonathan Goodacre manages a number of global patent portfolios for start-ups and SME clients providing clients with strategic, value-driven advice. His practice has a particular focus on start-up and spin-out companies and works closely with universities and companies in, or associated with, early stage incubators/accelerators.

This session provides participants with an understanding of what an investor will be looking for in a businesses financial information. It looks at projections, how to forecast your cashflow, the importance of planning and budgeting, the difference between core finance and project finance and how to model financial milestones.

Jake Stanmore has significant experience in advising his clients in all aspects of statutory reporting, financing, and corporate tax compliance, and a specific expertise in accessing the creative sector tax reliefs. Jake works with a range of clients from major film and television broadcasters, animation studios, video game developers, distribution companies to independent production companies.

This session covers all aspects of business affairs for creative industry companies. Matching the right money to the right idea is key to success. This session will look at what different types of funding means for your idea, and how to strike the right deal. We will discuss possible deal configurations, the range of assets financiers are interested in, and the key questions you need to ask to make sure you are having the right conversation before signing the all important contract.

Suzanne Alizart is a professional intellectual property business affairs manager with over a decade’s experience in the creative industries. She has worked in feature films, policy development, professional services and academic environments and brings a wealth of perspectives to thorny problems.

This masterclass looks at the type of tax breaks there are for your businesses and how to build them into your finance plan.

It also covers the types of tax relief that investors can get from investing in your business, and what tax incentives are available for creative businesses. The session looks at Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Enterprise Investment Scheme and how you can make your business more attractive to investors by using these schemes.

Stephen Lee has significant experience in advising his clients in all aspects of statutory reporting, financing, corporate and personal tax compliance, and a specific expertise in accessing the creative sector tax reliefs. Stephen works with a range of clients from major film studios and televison broadcasters, animation studios, video game developers, distribution companies to independent production companies.

This masterclass gives an overview of identifying international opportunities for your business. It will give participants the tools to enable them to identify international markets and how to access them. Businesses will come away with the skills to create an international strategy, including how to access support and funding to enable businesses to expand to international markets.

John Marshall is an International Trade Adviser for the UK’s Department of Business and Trade, as a specialist in Creative Industries and Digital Media. His role is to help British companies work internationally, through strategic advice, market intelligence and, sometimes, grant funding. He also has a special interest in companies with high growth potential John has spent a career working in and around the media, as a press journalist, documentary writer and producer for UK and international broadcasters (based London), as an international war correspondent (based Geneva), as Secretary General of the European Union’s documentary film support agency (based Copenhagen).

This masterclass looks at how to achieve your marketing goals and the importance of marketing strategies for businesses. What is important to include, how to tailor the strategy to your needs and how to maximise your business’ impact through marketing.

Shorthose Russell has grown to become multi award-winners and are recognised as one of the most-respected marketing and communications agencies in the Eastern region. Working regionally, nationally and internationally across multiple sectors, we help businesses navigate the complex world of modern marketing, with genuine expertise across digital, design and communications disciplines. As Head of Digital, Paul Edwards helps clients build clear online marketing strategies that incorporate a wide range of channels and techniques, including SEO, PPC, CRO and social media.

This masterclass takes an in-depth look at the legal documentation companies need to be aware of when taking on investment and funding. From shareholders agreements to investment agreements, we explain what documents are needed, what they are for and what to look out for.

Christina O’Brien is a principal associate in the corporate team specialising in corporate transactions and investments (whether that be venture capital or private equity)