Mayor backs creative businesses with £170k of funding

• £170k in funds delivered by Creative UK to boost the creative economy in the North East.

• Seven innovative businesses supported, fostering growth, innovation, and new employment opportunities.

• This fund is part of the North East Combined Authority’s broader commitment to the region’s creative sector.

Today, Thursday 16 April, Creative UK announces that the North East Shared Success Fund, a vital initiative supporting creative businesses across the region, has officially closed after successfully awarding funding to a diverse range of companies driving creativity, innovation, and economic growth in the North East.

Delivered by Creative UK as part of the Mayor Kim McGuinness’ North East Culture and Creative Investment Programme (CCIP), the fund has empowered some of the region’s most exciting businesses, equipping them with the resources they need to scale, innovate, and make a lasting impact on the sector.

A total of seven businesses have received investment through this round of the programme, spanning a wide range of creative disciplines, from film and media production to music and fashion brands. The successful recipients include:

Beatnik Studio

A Newcastle-based creative agency specialising in branding, UX/UI, digital product development and design-led cultural storytelling. Investment will fund the design, development and testing phase of Pilgrim – a scalable digital platform that transforms cultural routes into interactive, gamified experiences designed to engage visitors.

Global Underground

A world-renowned, independent electronic music label founded in Newcastle in 1996. Investment will support a major 30th-anniversary release to be launched in 2026.

Idea Junkies

A Newcastle-based marketing and content strategy agency founded in 2022. Investment will be used for the development of BrandScribe, an AI-powered marketing platform for creative microbusinesses.

Persona Design

A Northumberland-based creative technology company. Investment will be used for developing a Persona Validation Module, a platform that enables organisations to make better design and strategy decisions informed by authentic user voices.

Schwartz-Patrick Media

A Sunderland-based factual, documentary and branded-content production company. Investment will go towards post-production and distribution of “Hidden Gems of the North East”, a high-end regional travelogue filmed across 2024–2025, showcasing culture, crafts, landscapes and community stories.

SNIDE

An emerging Northumberland-based streetwear label specialising in limited-run graphic clothing, high-quality fabrication, and process-driven storytelling. Investment will be used to scale into a fully structured clothing brand with consistent collections, professional content, and expanded distribution.

Wildcat Films

A long-established documentary and specialist cinematography production company based in the Gateshead. Investment will support the development and pitching of two flagship documentary projects.

These businesses represent the thriving creative economy of the North East, developing ground-breaking projects, creating new employment opportunities, and reinforcing the region’s reputation as a hub for cultural and digital innovation.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:

I’m so proud of the brilliant work our creative firms produce, and we’ve just invested £104m to make sure our cultural sector can compete on the world stage.

As the home of the first passenger railway, and first electrically lit home, we’ve already got a reputation for innovation, and we’re home to a thriving creative economy.

From AI rooted tech to support creativity, to reinforcing the region as the home of creative productions, these organisations and projects show the scope and ambition to put our region in the centre of the cultural revolution.

Tom Sweetsur, Investment Analyst at Creative UK, commented:

It’s been a privilege to work closely with this group of businesses, all of which are approaching their work in thoughtful and distinctive ways. Our funding is designed to support them in taking their next steps, helping to turn strong ideas into tangible progress and giving them the confidence to keep moving forward.

Kristian Foreman, Lead Programme Manager, North East at Creative UK also said:

The North East has a thriving and ambitious creative ecosystem, and this fund plays an important role. By supporting early-stage companies in these projects, we’re creating a healthier pipeline of creative companies that can go on to access larger opportunities.

For further information on North East Culture and Creative Investment Programme (CCIP), visit https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/regional-growth-programmes/north-east/north-east-investment/

For all press enquiries, please contact Rebecca Maxwell on press@wearecreative.uk