A digest of useful information for UK businesses seeking funding and support, updated monthly.

1. Creative, Digital & Design
Business Briefing
A digest of useful information for UK businesses seeking
funding and support, updated monthly
July 2016
@KTN_Creative

2. Brought to you by the following
organisations:

3. If you think there’s something that we've missed…
please let us know: cdd@ktn-uk.org

4. Contents
• Public funding calls
• Horizon 2020
• Other public funding
• KTN & other events
• Public investment / private financing
• Launching a new business?
• Non-financial support for your business
• Training & skills

5. Public funding calls
Key feature: Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) are to invest up to £19.5 million in quantum
technologies.The aim of this competition is to encourage collaborative R&D
projects and feasibility studies that will either:
- develop prototype devices and demonstrators of quantum technologies or
their component technologies
- improve the understanding of the technical, business or market challenges
of taking a new device or service to market
Competition Closes: applicants must register before noon on 26 September
2016 and apply for the expression of interest stage before noon on
Wednesday 5 October 2016.
Register here for a Birmingham networking event on 8 Sep, 10:00-17:00
More info at gov.uk
Commercialisation of quantum technologies

6. Public funding calls
Key feature: Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) are to invest up to £5 million in innovation projects
to stimulate new partnerships across robotics and autonomous systems
(RAS). The aim of this competition is to enable UK companies to explore new
RAS opportunities. It will enable them to develop capabilities for application in
many sectors of the UK economy.
Competition Closes: applicants must register before noon on 19 October
2016 and apply before noon on 26 October 2016.
Register here for a briefing webinar taking place 27 July, 14:00-16:30
More info at gov.uk
Robotics and autonomous systems

7. Public funding calls
Key feature: Innovate UK is to invest up to £15 million in innovation projects
in the infrastructure systems sector. The aim of this competition is to
encourage the development of business-led innovative solutions that will help
provide: affordable, sustainable and secure energy, connected transport,
urban living, integrated infrastructure and resilience of infrastructure to
environmental and social pressures.
Competition Closes: applicants must register before noon on 14 September
2016 and apply before noon on Wednesday 21 September 2016.
You can watch a recording of the 12 July briefing event here.
More info at gov.uk
Innovation in infrastructure systems

8. Public funding calls
Key feature: Women in Innovation is Innovate UK’s first action under the
infocus initiative. Innovate UK will invest £200,000 to get more women
innovating in business.
Innovate UK is running this process to identify 12 women who will benefit
from a unique tailor-made package of support. In addition, 4 of these
women will also receive £50,000 to further their plans and make a stellar
impact in the world of innovation. Deadline to register: before noon 24
August 2016.
More info at gov.uk
infocus funding award: women in innovation

9. Public funding calls
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Key feature: A scheme to help businesses innovate and grow by
linking them with a university and a graduate to work on a specific
project. Each KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, an
academic institution and a graduate. The academic institution employs
the recently-qualified graduate who works at the company. The
graduate, known as the ‘associate', brings new skills and knowledge
to the business.
A KTP is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute to the cost
of the supervisor and the salary of the associate.
2016 deadlines are: 7 September & 2 November
More info on: gov.uk

10. Creative England Production Fund
The Creative England Production Fund is targeted at feature films with
budgets of up to £2 million from up-and-coming talent or from
established directors looking to experiment with innovative
approaches. The fund is particularly interested in projects from
regionally-based filmmakers or those which have a strong regional
voice.
The fund is looking to support around three to five features per annum
over the next four years, with production awards of up to £200,000 per
project.
More info at creativeengland.co.uk
Public funding calls

11. Public funding calls
Nesta Impact Investment Fund
Key feature: An equity investment fund investing in social ventures with
innovative products or services that are addressing some of the UK’s most
pressing challenges. Investments are made in areas that tackle:
• the health and wellbeing of an ageing population
• the educational attainment and employability of children and young people
• the social and environmental sustainability of communities.
Scale: between £150k - £1m
Closes: on-going
More info on: Nesta Investments

12. Public funding calls
Interactive Healthcare Programme – South West
The opening of the South West Interactive Healthcare Fund is the latest
roll-out of an Interactive Healthcare Programme, set up by Creative
England, using its Regional Growth Fund money to help small-scale
enterprises outside London develop digital health and well-being
products.
The region’s £500,000 scheme will be managed in association with the
South West Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), West of England
AHSN and SetSquared. Investments of between £25,000 to £50,000 are
available, with the potential to receive up to £200,000.
Closes 30 September 2016.
More info on: creativeengland.co.uk

13. Horizon 2020 (H2020)
Key feature: The H2020 programme is the major funding
opportunity for R&D initiatives across Europe running up until 2020.
There is a strong emphasis on creative industries, design and digital
technologies.
Upcoming calls:
Full details about the workplan for the Information and
Communication Technologies Call are available here. Calls within
the H2020 ICT work plan that are relevant to the creative and digital
industries include:
SME Instrument Phase 1: Engaging SMEs in security research and
development – Multiple cut-off deadlines 2016/17
SME Instrument Phase 2: Engaging SMEs in security research and
development – Multiple cut-off deadlines 2016/17

14. Horizon 2020
Upcoming calls:
Cyber Security for SMEs, local public administration and
Individuals – Deadline 25 August 2016
Economics of Cybersecurity – Deadline 25 August 2016
Cyber Security for SMEs, local public administration and
Individuals – Deadline 25 August 2016
Engaging private consumers towards sustainable energy –
Deadline 15 September 2016
ICT 19: Media Content and Convergence – Deadline 8 November
2016
ICT 4: Smart Anything Everywhere Initiative - Deadline 8
November 2016

15. Horizon 2020
Further information on H2020 Work Programmes can also be
found here.
KTN Guide to Horizon 2020 and Other European Funding for
the Creative Industries
This is a short guide to help you submit a proposal for the Horizon
2020 funding programme (H2020), as well as describing other
European Commission funding sources. It provides a brief
overview of how to apply, things to think about, where to get
support and useful links.
You can also keep up to date with the latest info via our Creative,
Digital and Design portal and by joining our dedicated LinkedIn
group.

16. Other public funding
• Wellcome Trust Arts Awards – offer two levels of funding to
encourage collaboration between arts and science.
• Creative Scotland Open Project Funding - This fund supports the
arts, screen and creative industries, with projects that help them
explore, realise and develop their creative potential.
• Funding Central and Finance Funder - Online guide to over 4,000
grants, contracts and other forms of finance: fully searchable
based on finance type, scale and your geographical location;
especially good for businesses seeking charitable or grant funding.

17. Other public funding
• Creative Skillset - Creative Skillset directs collective investment
through the Skills Investment Fund to create new and innovative
training in priority skills and in-demand roles to ensure growth in the
UK’s Creative Industries.
• Creative Industry Finance - Delivered by Creative United and funded
by Arts Council England, this programme is designed to assist
creative and cultural enterprises in securing access to loan finance
from £2,500 upwards.
• Arts Council of Wales – offer a selection of arts grants for creative
professionals and organisations.

18. 09:30-12:00, Thursday 1 September 2016 – Digital Catapult Centre, 101
Euston Rd, London NW1 2RA
The Knowledge Transfer Network will be organising an informal information
sharing Business Drop-in session in London. The session is designed to
support digital companies and learn more about Innovate UK, the Digital
Catapult and other organisations and businesses that have opportunities
and support for UK based businesses.
Representatives from across Innovate UK’s programmes will highlight a
range of upcoming funding opportunities for digital companies, researchers
and academic institutions working across a diverse range of sectors.
Please note: If you are interested in giving a 5 minute presentation, slots
are given on a first come first served basis at the event.
Further info and registration details available here.
KTN Events
Digital Business Drop-In

19. 17:30-20:30, 20 July 2016 at the Digital Catapult Centre, 101 Euston
Road, London, NW1 2RA
The Knowledge Transfer Network is hosting an exclusive event that will bring
industry leaders together with high-growth potential entrepreneurs offering
innovative digital solutions that use personal data to transform healthcare.
Up to 16 of the most innovative companies to apply to attend will be invited to
meet with established industry brands, for an evening of facilitated networking.
How to Apply
If you are a digital company and would like to be considered for this opportunity,
please fill out our short online application form by 12 noon Tuesday 5 July. If
you are an established brand and would like to attend as an industry partner,
Astrid Ayel will advise on availability and potential opportunities for future
involvement in the speed networking event series.
Further details available here
Digital Health Speed Networking event

20. Do Digital but Don't Disconnect – London, 1 July
Supercharge Your StartUp – London, 5 July
The Children’s Media Conference – Sheffield, 5 July
ERDF ProConnect Launch – Birmingham, 7 July
Develop Conference – Brighton, 12-14 July
Fintech Storm – London, 14 July
Data City Data Nation: Construction & Energy – London, 22 July
Other events

21. Public Investment
Arts Impact Fund
Key feature: Funded by Arts Coucil England, Bank of America Merrill Lynch,
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Nesta, the Arts Impact Fund is a new
£7million initiative set up to demonstrate the potential for social investment in
arts. It offers repayable finance to arts organisations working in England that
can show how they are sustainable, have great artistic ambitions and have a
positive impact on society in at least one of the following areas: citizenship &
community, young people & educational attainment, health & wellbeing.
Scale: between £150k - £600k
Closes: on-going
More info on: Arts Impact Fund

22. Public Investment
Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund
Key feature: The Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund is dedicated to
supporting film-specific training. You can benefit directly through funding for
training - grants of money towards the costs of courses.
Craft and Technical Bursaries – up to £800 for film professionals working in
eligible craft and technical departments to spend on training
International Scholarships – up to £5,000 for experienced film professionals
to attend intensive and high-level developmental programmes in the UK or
overseas
Management and Leadership Bursaries – up to £1,000 for film professionals
to spend on training and professional development
More info on creativeskillset.org

23. Accelerator Programmes
The EIT Digital Challenge is calling on innovative startups from across the
EU to apply in five different categories: Digital Industry, Digital Cities,
Digital Wellbeing, Digital Infrastructure, and Digital Finance. Three
standout startups will be chosen from each category and will get access to
EIT Digital’s European innovation network of corporations, startups,
SMEs, universities, and research institutes, as well as the chance to join
the EIT Digital Accelerator for one year. Additionally, the best team per
category will receive €50,000 in cash. Deadline to apply: 15 July.
Toppitch - Challenging wearable tech entrepreneurs to present a product
that is stylish, functional and in-demand with the its customers, Topshop
are inviting entrepreneurs and start-ups from around the world to apply for
a ‘bootcamp’ programme created by Topshop and investment partner L
Marks, with intensive coaching on how to bring your product to market
and the chance to pitch to Topshop and Sir Philip Green.

24. Private financing
Edge Investments is the specialist investment house focused on the
creative industries sector, in particular media and entertainment. Launched
last month the Edge Creative Enterprise Fund is a £40m fund raised, with
UK Government support, to invest in high growth companies in the creative
industries.
Balderton has a track record of helping entrepreneurs build substantial
businesses – with more $250m+ exits in the past five years than any other
European venture firm
Connect Ventures, London – invest in mobile, internet and digital media
businesses; invest at the early stage and focus on seed investments;
investment size ranges from £200K-£600k
Index Ventures, London, San Francisco & Geneva – venture capital firm
making investments in information technology and life sciences companies,
since 1996 they have teamed up with technology entrepreneurs in more
than 30 countries

25. Private financing
Notion Capital, London – invest in B2B Cloud & SaaS companies who have
sustained 100% Year-over-Year growth; investment areas include adtech,
communications and collaboration tools, ecommerce, enterprise software,
fintech and security; portfolio raised over £200m in 2014
Hoxton Ventures, partners with founders seeking to invent new market
categories or transform large, existing industries; their sweet spot is
internet, mobile and software startup investing - up to $2m
The Business Finance Guide, devised for businesses and advisers by the
ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty together with the British Business Bank
and is supported by 17 major professional, membership and representative
organisations; outlines sources of finance available to businesses – ranging
from start-ups to SMEs and growing mid-sized companies
The UK Business Angels Association is the national trade association
representing angel and early-stage investment in the UK.

26. Private financing
Better Business Finance is an excellent tool for identifying the right type of
finance at all stages of a business as well as identifying providers who can
help. This section provides a searchable directory of information about the
members of the UK Business Angels Association, what services they
provide and how to contact them.
British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association provides an
explanation of different types of financing and other resources for
entrepreneurs.
The AngelCo Fund is a £100m investment fund with objectives to back
promising UK businesses at all stages of development and in most
sectors, provided they qualify as an SME.
If you are you a project promoter based in the EU, and want to reach
potential investors worldwide, register your project in the European
Investment Project Portal (EIPP).

27. Other financing mechanisms
Crowdfunder.co.uk – UK’s largest crowdfunding network having launched
1000’s of projects and raised over £2m, platform launched by KEO digital
and partners include Nesta and Creative England
Funding Circle – an online marketplace which allows savers to lend money
directly to SMEs; as of February 2014 Funding Circle has facilitated £223m
in loans to SMEs
Crowd2Fund – a crowdfunding platform designed to enable a range of
funding options, from loans to equity
SyndicateRoom – equity crowdfunding platform for investing in UK startups
backed by experience business angels
CrowdShed - covers rewards, lending and donation-based crowdfunding
opportunities, focused on creative, academic, charity and cause-based
projects.

28. Launching a new business?
• Tech City UK offers advice and support to start-ups looking for guidance
in and around London. It has launched its Digital Business Academy.
Tech City UK can also endorse visa applications to help recruit talent to
Britain.
• Innovate UK - IC tomorrow connects start-ups and SMEs with leading
commercial partners and investors, through funded contests, events,
and strategic matchmaking opportunities.
• Enterprise Europe Network is a key instrument in the EU's strategy to
boost growth and jobs. Bringing together around 600 business support
organisations from more than 60 countries, EEN help small companies
seize unparalleled business opportunities in the EU Single Market.
• Seedcamp is a London based accelerator that provides startups with
seed money, mentorship, office space, support over a year long
programme.

29. Launching a new business?
• The British Business Angels Association can help put you in touch
with relevant business angel investors.
• Aimed at creative industries businesses seeking funding and
investment from both traditional and non-traditional sources, the
‘Routes to Finance’ guide is a new initiative by the ICAEW’s
Corporate Finance Faculty, supported by the Creative Industries
Federation and 52 organisations in the UK’s creative economy.
• As the membership body for providers of enterprise support services
in London, Capital Enterprise and its members provide a wide range
of support services including advice, training, mentoring, accelerator
programmes, specialist technical expertise, networking, soft loan
finance and incubator accommodation to both pre-start and trading
entrepreneurs and small businesses in all 33 London Boroughs.

30. Launching a new business?
• Transmit Start Ups provide financial support and mentoring to
creative and digital entrepreneurs that would not normally be
available via traditional banking relationships
• AIM Start Up Loans - Government supported start-up loans for the
Creative Industries.
• The Open Data Institute runs a start-up programme that helps start-
ups build business models around open data
• The Path Forward features The Path - a practical and interactive
methodology to assist entrepreneurs take a valid idea from concept to
valuable business in 12 months.
• European Startup Resource Page - a Techstars idea to help founders
of European startups save time and internal resources by supplying
some useful templates, valuable resources and good examples.

31. Are you an existing business seeking
non-financial advice or support?
• Nesta’s creative business mentor network offers ambitious
businesses looking to grow one-one mentoring with some
of the creative digital sector’s most successful leaders
• The UKTI offers advice to help with exporting
• Tech City UK can help advise on inward investment
• The Digital Catapult can help you showcase your business

32. Are you an existing business seeking
advice or support?
• AngelList – helps source angel investors
• Capital List - is an investor-introduction service available
free of charge to London based SMEs as part of the
Capital Accelerator Programme
• Interactive Scotland is a Scottish Enterprises project
providing specialist expert advice to all Digital and
Creative Businesses across Scotland
• Grant Thornton provide a specialist service for R&D tax
relief/ credits claims

33. Industry specific support
• The Digital Catapult is working with Innovate UK to research,
develop and deliver datasets and lessons for industry from the
Building Performance Evaluation programme through the
development of the Building Data Exchange. This is a platform
built to provide easy access to data, and stimulate the
crossover of digital technology in the built environment in order
to create a proactive community that drives rapid
improvements in the performance of buildings. More info here.
• Launched May 2016 the EdTech Exchange is inviting
membership according to the following criteria: a Founder or
Co-founder of a European-based, early stage, EdTech start-
up; raised at least £100k in financing; open to an honest and
frank conversation with other Founders (possibly competitors!)

34. Industry specific support
• F.I.R.E. (Fashion, Innovation, Research, Evolution) is an
online space that aims to drive a more radical and
experimental culture of research and development in the
fashion and textile sector. It opens a new space to connect
fashion researchers and academics with industry and
encourage collaboration between designer fashion
businesses and academic researchers in order to catalyse
partnerships for innovation, bring research closer to the
industry and stimulate sustainable business growth for the
UK designer fashion sector.

35. Personal Data and Trust Network
The network aims to build and nurture a community that brings
together industry, the public sector, funders, research organisations
and innovators to support the UK in becoming the global leader in
trust and responsible innovation with personal data.
For more information and to join, visit pdtn.org.

36. Training and skills
• Training in Open Data from the Open Data Institute
• Digital Business Academy – via Tech City
• Digital Project Management – via @IABUK
• Digital Acceleration – via @hyperisland_uk
• Digital training – via @Econsultancy – e-marketing courses

37. Useful reports/ market research
• Innovate UK - Additive manufacturing: mapping UK research
into 3D printing
• KTN – A Guide to Horizon 2020 and Other European Funding
for the Creative Industries
• KTN – Design in Innovation: using design early for greater
success
• Imperial College / Citi – Releasing The Flow of Digital Money
• Nesta – Business Insights 2016
• Nesta – The Fusion Effect