A group of innovative Bristol businesses are receiving online peer and mentoring support under a scheme to help creative firms across the West of England to help them respond to the impact of Covid-19.
The firms, which range from Mangostone, which makes props, sets and models for film, television, trade shows and museums, to boundary-pushing contemporary circus and street theatre company Cirque Bijou, pictured, are among 20 creative companies making up the latest cohort in the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) Creative Scale Up programme.
The scheme is already providing online peer and mentoring support to help businesses respond to the unique challenges presented by the pandemic, with business resilience being a key topic for the first group of 16 creative firms.
West of England Metro Mayor Tim Bowles said the Creative Scale Up programme was set up to support the region’s wonderful creative businesses to grow.
“In response to Covid-19 we’ve made crucial changes to the programme to ensure our creative sector gets the support it needs to survive and emerge stronger,” he said.
“The entrepreneurs and artists we’re working with have told us it’s reminding them they’re not alone but part of wider network of creative businesses.
“I know our latest participants will also find new ways of working together to survive and thrive, cementing the West of England as an excellent home for the creative industries.”
One of the firms taking part in the first programme is Bristol-based Stornaway, a software platform that lets producers create interactive films quickly and easily without coding.
Co-founder Rupert Howe, pictured, said that the peer support network had helped launched its new product in the middle of lockdown – a ground-breaking drag-and-drop production tool for interactive and immersive content. 
“The Creative Scale Up peer mentoring programme was an invaluable community of practice. It was fantastic to meet and develop connections with the leaders of such an unusually wide range of creative businesses,” he added.
“We have developed a few ongoing relationships with our peers which we hope will continue to be mutually beneficial.
“As a result of the mentoring grant, we were able to find a world class mentor. Her insight and experience have helped us navigate the unknown waters of our early stage market. We hope that creative-focused investment opportunities continue to emerge as the scheme develops.”
The second cohort of businesses are Squarebird; Soap Creative; Noiser; Mangostone; Cirque Bijou; Invisible Circus; Moonraker; Village Design; Limbic Cinema; Moresoda; Factory Studios; Studio Diva; nymbl; Box 2 Media; Open Bionics; Funnel Music; Fleur of England; Uniquity; Motion Impossible and We Are The Collaborators.
The third round of the programme is now open. Creative firms from across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have until August 28 to apply. The programme includes:
- £6,000 grant to spend on mentoring
- Dedicated peer support network
- Training tailored to the specific business development needs.
- Business development grants of up to £2,000
The Creative Scale Up draws on the support of local industry experts, all keen to support participants. It is also supported by national partners, including Creative England, Scale Up Institute, UK Business Angels Association and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
It forms part of WECA’s targeted business support programme to help kick-start the regional economy following the coronavirus outbreak
Creative businesses interested in joining the Creative Scale Up programme should email creativescaleup@westofengland-ca.gov.uk to request an application.
