GRANTS of up to £30,000 are on offer to businesses in the digital creative sector in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has approved a further £350,000 funding to support the growth of ambitious businesses in the sector.
It is the second round of the council’s Digital Creative Recovery Grant scheme, which was created in January to help businesses with product development or key activities that lead to obtaining further private sector investment.
Applications are now open for match-funded grants between £10,000 and £30,000.
The fund is open to small and micro businesses in the digital creative sector who have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Among businesses to benefit from the first round of funding was Leamington-based digital studio Yellow Panther, whose match-funded £30,000 grant went towards software designed to get a new product out to the market.
Co-founder Stuart Cope said: “The grant helped us massively at a really important time.
“We spent 18 months building an exciting new platform but also have 25 current clients to serve so we are very busy, so the grant eased the pressure a lot. We invested the money in two full-time roles and one part-time role to create the marketing materials around the new product.”
To apply, businesses must demonstrate their growth plans and how the funding will bring them closer to achieving their ambitions.
Coun Martin Watson, WCC’s spokesman for Economy and Place, said: “The first round of the Digital Creative Recovery Grant was a great success in supporting businesses with their growth plans in one of Warwickshire’s key economic sectors.
“The first round of funding was very competitive and we are excited to see what innovative products and services are brought forward for consideration this time round.”
WCC’s Business Growth Team will be available to discuss eligibility for the fund before businesses will be invited to apply.
Email [email protected] to register interest and book an initial discussion.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/dcfund for more information.
