Create Growth Programme relaunches in Cornwall

The Create Growth Programme – designed to grow creative businesses and the local economy – returns to cornwall after supporting 61 local businesses since february 2023.

• A programme of support including mentorship and tailored workshops will support 20 creative businesses in Cornwall until March 2026.
• The Create Growth Programme is funded by DCMS and delivered in Cornwall by Creative UK in partnership with Cornwall Council, Screen Cornwall and Falmouth University to support high-growth creative businesses to scale and become investment ready
• In its first iteration, the programme supported 61 creative businesses from across the region.

Applications open today for the Cornwall Create Growth Programme.
 

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and delivered by Creative UK in partnership with Cornwall Council, Screen Cornwall and Falmouth University, the Create Growth Programme has been designed to support creative businesses to explore and secure commercial investment opportunities. Selected businesses will gain access to a programme of activity including tailored workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and opportunities to connect with investors.
 

The Cornwall Create Growth Programme team is holding drop-in sessions across the region to meet with eligible businesses, alongside hosting regular webinars to answer questions.

The first iteration of the programme, which ran from February 2023 to March 2025, saw 61 creative businesses benefit from one-to-one mentor support, access to tailored workshops, and critical introductions to investors through pitch and dine events and larger-scale summits.

Businesses from the first iteration have obtained an impressive £3,430,000 of equity or debt finance investment and £10,976,906 in grant investment during their time on the programme. The businesses have also created 55 new products or services, and seen a turnover increase of £3,654,789 during their time on the programme.

In February 2025, Creative UK hosted the Big Creative UK Summit: Investment in Cornwall & Devon, a celebration of the Create Growth Programme and a showcase of the region’s Creative Industries. The day saw 12 businesses exhibiting, alongside five businesses who pitched to an audience of investors, industry leaders, partners, and members of creative networks.

The programme culminated in The Big Creative UK Summit: Investment for Growth, a landmark national summit which took place in London in March 2025. Four creative businesses from Cornwall were invited to exhibit, whilst three were also invited to pitch to an audience of over 100 investors.

Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO of Creative UK, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the Cornwall Create Growth Programme returning for a second year. The first iteration has proven just how powerful targeted support and access to investors can be for the region’s creative businesses, many of whom have already made significant strides since taking part.

This new phase is an important moment for the Creative Industries, which already contribute £368 million GVA to Cornwall’s economy.”