Glasgow's digital and creative companies set for an investment boost of up to £900,000 through business innovation competition
Universities and Science Minister David Willets has announced a funding competition launched by the Technology Strategy Board in partnership with Creative Clyde offering investment in Glasgow’s digital and creative companies.
The business competition, known as the Digital & Creative Clyde Launchpad, sees digital and creative companies in the city in line for a £900,000 investment boost.
Willets commented: “This investment will help the brightest businesses in Glasgow develop new ideas and solutions. It is important that the UK stays at the forefront of these innovations so we can continue to compete on a global scale.”
Finance Secretary John Swinney added: “The Scottish Government recognises the importance of capitalising on Scotland's strengths and this £900k investment is tremendous news for the Creative Clyde project. This activity complements the broad range of work on innovation and entrepreneurship that we already undertake in Scotland and will provide our talented digital and creative communities with a fantastic source of additional support.”
Of the initiative, director of creative industries at Scottish Enterprise, Linda McPherson, said: “The Launchpad approach is designed to help companies in the Creative Clyde area raise their level of innovation and build their competitive advantage.”
The competition is open to SMEs based in the area covered by Glasgow City Council, those planning to move or set up there, and projects involving collaboration with companies already there. The Digital & Creative Clyde Launchpad is also offering companies up to 60 per cent funding for innovative R&D projects up to a maximum of £60,000.
Run in two stages from today applicants will be able to submit a two-minute video describing their ideas, which will be accompanied by a brief application form. On the basis of the video the top ranking applications will then be shortlisted and asked to submit a written proposal with the best applicants then invited to present their ideas to an expert panel who will select which projects receive funding. More information can be found on the innovateuk.org site.