Create the Future – a spotlight on investment opportunities in CreaTech

CreaTech businesses are driving growth in the economy, leading the charge in developing innovative solutions utilising technological advancements at speed. It is a subsector rife with opportunity, driving innovation and growth at the intersection of technology and the creative industries.

At Create the Future, Creative UK brought together CreaTech businesses alongside industry leaders, trailblazers, and investors to showcase the work that is already being achieved by companies across the regions, the trends to be aware of and the support and investment available to businesses.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Newcastle and Gateshead’s seven Tyne bridges, Create the Future had a curated two-day programme which explored how evolving technology is reshaping the industry, and the challenges CreaTech businesses are encountering when engaging investors.

Hosted by Charlotte Scott, Roast My Pitch, the first day benefited from insight from Tom Justice, Muckle LLP, Will Van Rest, JEM Media Ventures, Robin Cramp, Digital Catapult, George Windsor and Alex Cook, Sunderland Software City considering the challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Charlotte Scott, Roast My Pitch and event host: “The creative industries [are] growing and also people are really starting to pay attention. We’ve seen that creative industries and the creative sectors are playing a massive part in the government strategies moving forward to support those businesses in the sector. And I think investors are really starting to sit up and pay attention, particularly given that convergence of not only the impact that creative industries have on the economy in the UK as an export, but also the emergence of technology like AI, which will help those creative workflows as well as help creative ideas thrive.”

On day two, Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm, spoke on her journey from entrepreneur to successful business owner to investor, sharing insights from her book Making Business Child’s Play.

Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm: “I think investors should really be looking at the creative industries. Britain is brilliant at creativity, whether that’s film, music or AI generated excitement. Let’s get behind them, let’s back them, let’s own it, and let’s say that Britain is creating wonderful innovation from Britain, invested by Britain, for the rest of the world.”

Rebekah O’Connor and Neil Semple from Department for Business and Trade spoke of the growth in opportunities available to creative businesses now that it is a recognised in the government’s industrial strategy, calling on interested businesses to apply for future missions including SXSW.

A panel with Ben Davies, Praetura Ventures, and Rebecca Michella, Maven CP, gave insight into what investors are looking for when hearing from pitching businesses, and stumbling blocks to avoid.

“Knowing your investor is as important as knowing your pitch.” Rebecca Michella, Maven CP.

The day culminated in a live pitch, where the businesses competed for a prize which included an exhibition stand at the upcoming Big Creative UK Investment Summit and membership to Creative UK.

North East Create Growth Programme company Studyblocks, whose platform makes it easy to find, create and share professional learning resources that have real impact in the classroom, were named the successful pitch by the investor judges in the room.

Kristian Foreman, Lead Programme Manager, North East, Creative UK:

“We’re so pleased to see Studyblocks recognised by the judges as the winning pitch. The Create Growth Programme exists to prepare creative businesses for investment, and since Dan’s time on the programme we have seen their progress in crafting a compelling investment ask which demonstrates their potential and cut through in an area which is calling out for creative solutions.”

Malcolm King, Investment Manager, Creative UK:

“It was truly inspiring to witness the creativity and innovation demonstrated by the exceptional founders and companies that have emerged through our Create Growth Programmes across the UK. Every founder should be immensely proud—the judges faced an incredibly tough decision as the quality of the pitches was outstanding.

The vision and technical ingenuity behind their products and services was excellent. Congratulations to Studyblocks on a well-deserved win!

The pitches highlighted the transformative potential of CreaTech in shaping the future of the UK economy. As investors, we have an opportunity to champion these innovators, fuel their growth, and accelerate economic progress across the UK. The future of creative technology is being built today.”

Charlie Gray, Investment Community Manager, Creative UK:

“This was the first time we’ve run a pitch event based on sub-sector, and we’ve been impressed by the response from the investors in the room. As well as being asked for invitations to our forthcoming investment focussed events, we were also told that with the credibility and weight of Creative UK showcasing such brilliant creative businesses and demonstrating the opportunities within the sector, the doors are more open for investment decisions.”