£1m fund for creative ideas

SOME £1m in grants is being made available to help early stage creative and digital firms in Manchester develop their ideas.

The city’s Business Growth Hub has partnered with the Government’s Technology Strategy Board to administer the fund which will cover up to 60% of project costs.

It expects the typical cost of projects to be around £100,000.

The Business Growth Hub aims to grow business activity in the region by providing advice and services to businesses in areas such as finance, innovation and training.

The new fund will seek to fund pre start-ups, start-ups, micro and small businesses to carry out innovative R&D projects that will lead to the development of existing or new knowledge and skills within the digital and creative sector.

Richard Jeffery, director of the Business Growth Hub, said: “It is vital that we support and exploit the opportunities within the already vibrant Greater Manchester digital and creative community and this competition aims to take the companies working in it and help drive them forward by supporting innovation.”

The fund will be launched on November 4 at The Landing in MediaCityUK.