Creative Industries funding
Funding for film, design, games, music and the creative economy.
94
Funding opportunities
Live & published
55
Active providers
Creative Industries
Industry focus
UK-wide
Coverage
Available funding
Start Up Loan
The Start Up Loan is an unsecured government-backed personal loan of £500–£25,000 (average ~£12k) for UK individuals starting or growing a business that has been trading for under 36 months. It is delivered by Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank, via accredited Delivery Partners, with a fixed 6% APR and free mentoring for 12 months.
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)
SEIS is a UK government tax-incentive scheme that lets very early-stage companies raise up to £250,000 of equity from individual investors, who in turn receive substantial income tax, capital gains and loss-relief benefits. It is the single most generous personal-tax incentive in the UK and is the default first equity instrument for pre-revenue or just-trading startups.
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
EIS is the UK's flagship growth-equity tax incentive: companies under 7 years of trading (or knowledge-intensive companies under 10) can raise up to £5m a year and £12m lifetime from individual investors, who receive 30% income tax relief plus CGT and loss-relief benefits.
Arts Council Project Grants
Grants for individuals and organisations delivering creative and cultural projects in England.
Investors' Relief
Reduced 14% CGT rate on qualifying share disposals to incentivise long-term investment in unlisted companies.
Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit
UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on film, high-end TV, animation and children's TV. Replaces previous separate film/TV reliefs for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024.
Video Games Expenditure Credit
UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on the production of video games. Replaces Video Games Tax Relief for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024.
York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub
Business support service for York and North Yorkshire including grants, advice and net-zero support.
Workplace Charging Scheme
Voucher-based UK scheme that covers part of the upfront cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at workplaces.
WMCA Business Energy Advice Service
Free energy assessments and grant funding to help West Midlands SMEs cut energy costs and emissions.
West Yorkshire Business Support Programme
Coordinated business support across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield including advisory and grant signposting.
West Yorkshire AD:VENTURE Programme
Free business advice, mentoring and grants for early-stage businesses across the Leeds City Region.
Wales Flexible Investment Fund
Larger, longer-tenor debt and equity for established Welsh businesses, providing patient capital for growth.
Wales Business Fund
Loans and equity investments for Wales-based SMEs from the Development Bank of Wales. Replaces previous Welsh business funds.
Venture Capital Trusts (VCT)
Investor-side scheme: VCTs are listed funds that invest in qualifying UK smaller companies; investors get income tax relief and tax-free dividends.
UK Tradeshow Programme support
DBT support helping UK businesses access international tradeshows through guidance, training and signposting.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
UK-wide fund channelled through local authorities to support local communities, people and businesses. Specific business support varies by area.
UK Global Screen Fund
DCMS-funded programme administered by the BFI supporting UK independent screen content to reach international audiences.
UK Games Fund
Grant funding and support for early-stage UK games studios, including the DunDev prototype fund and graduate programmes.
UK Export Academy
Free training programme from the Department for Business and Trade to help UK SMEs build the knowledge and skills to sell internationally.
Start Up Loans
UK government-backed personal loan for people starting or growing a new business (trading less than 36 months). Includes free mentoring.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Business Support
Business support and grant programmes across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme
Fully funded support to help South Yorkshire SMEs improve productivity through leadership, operations and digital advice.
South of Scotland Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Tailored business support, grants and community wealth-building programmes for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Sheffield City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to South Yorkshire grant programmes for Sheffield businesses.
Sheffield Business Support
Business advice, premises support and access to regional grant programmes for businesses based in Sheffield.
Scottish Enterprise Account Management
Tailored support for ambitious Scottish companies including advice, grants and international growth support.
Scottish EDGE
Scotland-based competition awarding grant and loan funding plus business support to high-growth early-stage Scottish businesses.
Scottish Development International
International trade and investment support for Scottish businesses delivered by Scottish Enterprise's international arm.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Grant funding for public sector bodies in England to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures, administered by Salix on behalf of DESNZ.
PRS Foundation Funding
Independent funder supporting new UK music creators, artists, promoters and music businesses through grant programmes.
Plug-in Van and Truck Grant
Discount applied at point of sale on eligible zero-emission vans, trucks, taxis, motorcycles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for businesses and individuals. Categories and caps change — check current guidance.
Nottingham City Council Business Support
Information and signposting for Nottingham businesses including rates relief and current grant programmes.
North East Growth Hub Support
Free business advice, toolkits and grant signposting for businesses across the North East of England.
Newcastle City Council Business Support
Council business advice, rates information and current grant programmes for Newcastle upon Tyne.
Manchester City Council Business Support
Council business support including advice on premises, rates relief and current grant programmes.
Manchester Business Growth Hub Support
Free and subsidised business support, grants and specialist advice for SMEs across Greater Manchester, delivered by the Growth Company.
Local Net Zero Hubs
Regional hubs supporting local authorities and partners to develop and deliver local net zero and clean energy projects across England.
Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund
Loan and grant finance to support investment by LCR SMEs in growth projects.
Liverpool City Region Business Support
Grant, loan and advisory programmes for SMEs across the Liverpool City Region delivered via the Combined Authority's Growth Platform.
Liverpool City Council Business Support
Information, business rates advice and current grant programmes for Liverpool businesses.
Leicester City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to current grant schemes for Leicester businesses.
LeedsBID & Leeds City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth programmes available to Leeds-based companies through Leeds City Council and partners.
Leeds City Council Business Support
Business advice, employment support and grant signposting from Leeds City Council.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships — Management KTP
A variant of KTP focused on embedding strategic management practice from a UK business school into an SME.
Kent and Medway Growth Hub
Single point of contact for business support and grants in Kent and Medway.
Invest NI Skills Growth Programme
Co-investment programme supporting NI businesses to grow capability through training and skills development linked to growth plans.
Invest NI Selective Financial Assistance
Discretionary capital grant from Invest NI to support investment projects in Northern Ireland that create new jobs or improve productivity.
Invest NI Business Support
Range of support, grants and programmes for NI businesses including innovation, skills and export.
Invest Bristol and Bath
Inward investment and business support service for Bristol and Bath, signposting current grants and incentives.
Internationalisation Fund (England)
Match-funded grants for England-based SMEs to invest in international growth activity such as market research, translation, trade fairs and international marketing. Availability and rules may change — check current DBT guidance.
ICURe Innovate Programme
Market discovery programme funding university researchers to test commercial potential of their research and form spinouts.
Horizon Europe (UK participation)
UK participation in Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with UKRI guarantee where applicable.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Account-managed support, grants and property assistance for businesses across the Highlands and Islands.
Help to Grow: Management
12-week subsidised management training programme for senior leaders of UK SMEs, delivered by accredited business schools. Government covers 90% of the course fee.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme
Capital and revenue grants to improve the performance of existing district heating and communal heat networks in England and Wales.
Green Heat Network Fund
Capital grant scheme supporting the commercialisation and construction of new low-carbon heat networks in England.
Export Working Capital Scheme
UKEF partial guarantee to a UK exporter's bank to support working capital facilities tied to specific export contracts.
Export Insurance Policy
UKEF insurance that covers UK exporters against the risk of not being paid under an export contract due to political or commercial events.
Eureka Eurostars (UK)
International R&D funding for innovative SMEs collaborating across Eurostars member countries, with UK funding from Innovate UK.
Enterprising Barnsley Business Support
Council-led business support team offering account management, grants and property advice for Barnsley-based businesses.
ENABLE Funding (wholesale)
Wholesale programme that supports smaller lenders, asset finance providers and challenger banks to lend more to UK smaller businesses. Businesses receive funding indirectly via accredited partners.
DSL Business Finance (Microfinance Scotland)
Scotland-focused responsible finance lender providing microloans to small businesses unable to access mainstream bank finance.
DBT International Trade Advisers
Free one-to-one export advice for UK SMEs from DBT International Trade Advisers across English regions.
D2N2 Growth Hub Business Support
Free, impartial business support across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub
Free, impartial business support service for Cumbria including signposting to grants and specialist programmes.
Creative UK Investment
Loans, investment and business support for UK creative industry businesses including screen, games, design and music.
Creative Industries Clusters Programme
UKRI-backed R&D programme funding creative industry clusters across the UK linking businesses and universities.
Coventry City Council Business Support
Council business support and signposting to West Midlands grant programmes for Coventry businesses.
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support
Single front door for business support, grants and specialist advice across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Cambridge Enterprise Spinout Support
University of Cambridge commercialisation arm providing IP licensing, consultancy and seed funding for spinouts.
Business Wales Core Advisory Service
Free business advice, start-up support and access to current grant schemes for businesses in Wales.
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
Welsh Government programme providing intensive 1:1 support to high-growth-potential Welsh businesses. Not direct cash funding.
Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub
Free business support service for Greater Lincolnshire including adviser support and current grant programmes.
Business Growth West Midlands
Single front door connecting West Midlands businesses to growth hubs, sector specialists and current grant schemes.
Business Gateway Local Growth Advice
Free local business support across Scotland — startup workshops, advisers and access to grants delivered by local authorities through Business Gateway.
Bristol City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth signposting for Bristol businesses via the City Council and West of England partners.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Non-domestic — small businesses)
UK government grant for replacing fossil-fuel heating systems with heat pumps or biomass boilers in eligible English and Welsh properties, including small non-domestic premises within scheme rules.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Grants towards installing low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps and biomass boilers in eligible properties in England and Wales.
Birmingham City Council Business Support
Council-led information, advice and signposting for businesses in Birmingham, including current grant schemes.
Birmingham Business Support
Business advice, grants and growth support delivered by Birmingham City Council and partners for SMEs based in Birmingham.
BFI Filmmaking Funds
National Lottery-backed funding from the BFI for UK film development, production, distribution and audience programmes.
Apprenticeship Funding (England)
Government funding to help English employers take on apprentices. Levy-paying employers fund apprenticeships through their levy account; non-levy employers receive co-investment from the government.
AHRC Research Grants
AHRC Research Grants. Open to UK research organisations for arts and humanities research projects, including industry partners. Applications via Je-S/TFS.
AHRC Creative Industries Clusters Programme
AHRC Creative Industries Clusters Programme. University-led R&D clusters partnering with creative industry SMEs across the UK.
UK Community Ownership Fund
UK Community Ownership Fund. Community groups across the UK acquiring or saving local assets such as pubs, theatres, sports facilities.
Developing Your Creative Practice
An Arts Council England grant for individual creative practitioners developing their practice.
BFI Filmmaking Fund
A National Lottery-funded BFI programme supporting UK independent filmmaking.
BFI Young Audiences Content Fund
BFI Young Audiences Content Fund. UK production companies developing scripted live-action and animated content for young UK audiences.
PRS Foundation Momentum Music Fund
PRS Foundation Momentum Music Fund. UK-based artists and bands at a tipping-point moment in their career.
UK Games Fund Prototype Fund
UK Games Fund Prototype Fund. UK-registered micro and small studios developing original game prototypes for commercial release.
UK Games Fund DunDev/Tranzfuser
UK Games Fund DunDev/Tranzfuser. UK university graduate teams prototyping games as a route into the games industry.
National Lottery Heritage Fund Grants
National Lottery Heritage Fund Grants. UK heritage organisations and partnerships delivering heritage outcomes. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Scottish Enterprise By Design Service
Scottish Enterprise By Design Service. Scotland-based ambitious businesses adopting design-led innovation through a co-funded service.