Support for new creative talent in Scotland as Starter for 6 gets £1m
A programme to support creative entrepreneurs north of the border has received £1m backing from Creative Scotland’s Innovation Fund.
The extended Starter for 6 programme will be delivered by Scotland's Cultural Enterprise Office.
Applications from creative practitioners and businesses based in Scotland for the next round of funding are invited after 16 November 2009. For further information see www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/starterfor6.
Minister for Culture Michael Russell said: “I am pleased that Creative Scotland's Innovation Fund is being used to extend the Starter for 6 scheme which will support and develop Scotland’s most innovative entrepreneurs. Building on the success of a scheme with a proven track record can only be good news for the creative industries."
Ewan Brown, Chairman, Creative Scotland 09 Ltd added: "Creative Scotland’s Innovation fund will put new funds directly into the hands of our brightest creative talent, reinforcing our commitment to pioneering new businesses. Our economic health depends on investing in our creative potential and Starter for 6 is a proven success in finding and investing in promising entrepreneurs.
"Cultural Enterprise Office has an established record in the successful delivery of business support programmes designed specifically for the needs of creative businesses and I’m delighted that they will continue with this excellent work.”
During the last three years, Starter for 6, which was set up by NESTA (National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts), has directly invested in more than 80 creative businesses, as well as offering business advice to over 200 emerging entrepreneurs. Fifteen Starter for 6 businesses have subsequently progressed to Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth account management.
Participants on the programme receive training and coaching to bid for grants of up to £10,000, alongside structured business growth and planning advice. Additions to the programme in future will include increasing the number of individuals and teams supported, a ‘fast track’ programme and a Starter for 6 road show of events for creative practitioners and businesses across Scotland.