Devon Create Growth Programme

Stage 1 criteria and format:

• Minimum 1-2 business owners with the capacity to fully engage in the programme  
• Ambition and commitment to make the business sustainable 
• Product/ service on the market or piloted and a knowledge of your customers 
• Intention to set up or grow the commercial aspect of your business 
• 6 month programme, access to events and workshops plus 2 hours of 1:1 mentoring

You will be required to complete an evaluation as part of the programme delivery criteria. This is an essential part of the programme and enables us to deliver the best service to creative businesses across the region. 

Stage 2 criteria and format:

• A business plan or theory of change canvas – on request at diagnostic
• Minimum of 2 (or FTE) staff to enable capacity to fully engage in the programme 
• Staff to enable capacity to fully engage in the programme
• Ambition and commitment to grow the business and increase turnover 
• Established products/ services, with 2 years minimum of sales or customer engagement OR customer engagement or Founder experience / history 
• Established commercial activity that you wish to grow with new products or increased sales 
• Interest in investment to grow your business (large grant or debt/ equity) or to embed investment into the future growth plans of your business.  
• 6 month programme, access to events and workshops plus 15 hours of 1:1 mentoring

You will be required to complete an evaluation as part of the programme delivery criteria. This is an essential part of the programme and enables us to deliver the best service to creative businesses across the region. 

To be eligible for the Create Growth programme you must have  

1. A business address in Devon
2. A registered business (Ltd, CIC, CIO or LLP) 
3. Be working or serving any of the following sub sectors:  

Design, fashion, architecture, film, broadcast, createch, gaming, immersive, publishing, music, theatre, art, heritage, craft and media. 

Stage 1 and Stage 2 are for businesses at different stages of growth – please check you meet the criteria before applying. Read our FAQs here.

Find out about the events happening for creatives across Devon.

Over the coming weeks we will be hosting a series of drop-in online webinars where you can meet the Create Growth Programme Team in the South West, hear more about the programme and get support with the application process.  

We will also be attending various events across the region where you can drop in, have a cuppa, meet the team and learn more about the Create Growth Programme.  

Learn more and register for events on our Devon events page.

Contact Us

If you need any assistance, please contact the Create Growth Programme team in Devon:  

Lucy.ward@wearecreative.uk  – for support submitting the form or signing up to events

Sam.Spake@wearecreative.uk – for help with completing the application form or questions about the programme  

You also complete the form below to register your interest in Creative UK Devon and be added to our mailing list: 

If you meet the programme requirements, we invite you to complete the expression of interest form (button below). Once we have confirmed that you are eligible, our team will invite you to submit a full application form.

For more information on completing your expression of interest form, click here.

Who is delivering Devon Create Growth Programme?

The Create Growth Programme is funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and aims to support creative businesses in planning for growth and exploring and securing commercial investment opportunities. 

The programme will be delivered by Creative UK in partnership with West of England Combined Authority, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council, Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, Exeter University, University of Plymouth, Plymouth Culture and Real Ideas Organisation.  

FAQs

Make sure to read our FAQs before submitting your EOI. Read our FAQs here.

Meet the Devon Create Growth Programme Stage 1 cohort. 

The group are now embarking on a six-month programme of business support to get the knowledge and confidence to grow their commercial models and explore investment opportunities. Meet the cohort here. 

Meet the Devon Create Growth Programme Stage 2 alumni. 

Here how our first Stage 2 cohort found their experience on the programme, and what they’re planning for the future on our alumni page.