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 2015
@KTN_Creative

2. Brought to you by the following
organisations:

3. Contents
• Upcoming events
• KTN events
• Public funding calls
• Other public funding
• Public investment
• Private financing
• Other financing mechanisms
• Launching a new business?
• Non-financial support for your business
• Training & skills
• Useful reports

4. Upcoming Events
New Designers – London, 2-3 July
Four Days to Launch Event – Swansea, 7 July
Digital Business Drop-In – London, 9 July
Funding for Innovation for Creative Enterprises – Manchester, 9 July
Virtual and Augmented Reality Innovation Contest Briefing – London,
13 July
The Culture Capital Exchange Annual Conference – London, 14 July
Virtual and Augmented Reality Innovation Contest Briefing –
Manchester, 15 July
The Future of Fashion Tech – London, 21 July

5. Upcoming Events contd.
IoT £10M Cities Demonstrator - London Briefing – 21 July
IoT £10M Cities Demonstrator - Edinburgh Briefing – 23 July
IoT £10M Cities Demonstrator - Belfast Briefing – 24 July
IoT £10M Cities Demonstrator - Cardiff Briefing – 28 July
IoT £10M Cities Demonstrator - Birmingham Briefing – 29 July
Game Developers Conference Europe 2015 – Cologne, 3-4 August
ICT 2015 Innovate, Connect, Transform (H2020) – Lisbon 20-22
October
Innovate 2015 – London 9-10 November (early bird tickets now on
sale)

6. KTN Events
12.30-15:00, Thursday 9 July – Digital Catapult Centre, 101 Euston Rd,
Kings Cross, London NW1 2RA
Key feature: An informal information sharing session designed to support
digital companies and learn more about Innovate UK and the Digital
Catapult. This session will include representatives from across Innovate
UK’s programmes highlighting 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.
More info on: Digital Catapult
Digital Business Drop-In

7. KTN at New Designers 2015
Business Design Centre, Upper St, Islington, London N1
Industry Workshops, 2 July: a series of interactive workshops for
industry, funders and university tutors to come together and learn more
about the opportunities for design in innovation across a wide range of
business sectors. Register your place at an individual workshop here.
Thursday Late – Industry Meets New Designers, 2 July: a collaboration
with New Designers to showcase the UK’s amazing young design talent to
leading industrialists, entrepreneurs and investors. Further information and
ticket details available here.
KTN Talks at New Designers, 3 July – Further details and ticket details
available here.

8. Public funding calls
Key feature: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is to
invest up to £10 million* in a single collaborative R&D project to
demonstrate the capability of the Internet of Things (IoT) in a city region.
Scale: Up to £10 million
Briefing: This competition will be briefed in London, Edinburgh, Belfast,
Cardiff and Birmingham.
Closes: 30 September 2015
More info on: Bit.ly/iotcities
Internet of Things

9. Public funding calls
Key feature: This Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) themed
competition seeks research proposals to develop a prototype solution
to provide an unstructured and open-source data analytics platform for
defence.
Scale: £250,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition, with
a further £2 million potentially available for Phase 2.
Briefing: This competition will be briefed at a CDE Innovation Network
webinar on the 16 July.
Closes: 13 August 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Open source big data insight

10. Public funding calls
Key feature: This Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) themed
competition seeks to address the challenge of providing information
about the layout and situation inside a building using novel
techniques, remotely.
Scale: £650,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition.
Briefing: This competition will be briefed at a CDE Innovation Network
event on 9 July 2015 in London and at a webinar on the 16 July.
Closes: 10 September 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
What’s inside that building?

11. Public funding calls
Key feature: This CDE themed competition seeks research proposals
for innovative approaches to improve the way humans interact with
data to allow them to understand what’s going on in cyberspace.
Scale: £500,000 of funding is available for Phase 1 of this competition.
Briefing: This competition will be briefed at a CDE Innovation Network
event on 9 July 2015 in London and at a webinar on the 16 July.
Closes: 10 September 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Understand and interact with cyberspace

12. Public funding calls
Key feature: Investment to stimulate the development of innovative
new products, services and systems that disrupt the institutional long-
term care model. This SBRI competition is open to large enterprises,
SMEs, micro businesses, entrepreneurs, third sector, public and
private sector.
Scale:
• Up to £4m
Closes: 26 August 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
The long-term care revolution national challenge

13. Public funding calls
Key feature: Innovate UK is to invest up to £10 million in collaborative
research and development and feasibility studies to accelerate the
commercialisation of highly innovative technologies for civil
aerospace.
Scale: Up to £10m
Briefing: There will be a webinar briefing event for potential applicants on
15 July 2015.
Closes: 9 September 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Game-changing technologies for aerospace

14. Public funding calls
Key feature: Investment of up to £1m in innovative research and
development projects centred on the emerging cluster of digital media
businesses in Edinburgh.
Scale:
• Funding of up to 70% of eligible costs for industrial research projects,
with estimated project sizes ranging between £100,000 and £120,000.
Closes: 26 August 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Edinburgh digital media Launchpad

15. Public funding calls
Key feature: aim is to build a commercial ecosystem to exploit the
commercial opportunities of “omics” (e.g. genomics, proteomics etc.),
systems biology and complex biological data streams
Scale: A mix of feasibility and collaborative R&D ranging from £150k to
£400k
Closes: 1 July 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Finding Value in Complex Biological Data

16. Public funding calls
Key feature: Investment of up to £3 million in feasibility studies to stimulate
innovation across four enabling technology areas that underpin future UK
growth: advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and photonics;
and information and communication technology (ICT).
Closes: 2 September 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Technology inspired innovation

17. Public funding calls
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. All calls will be published
in October 2015.
Info days: ICT 2015 – Lisbon, 20-22 October
The key EC Info Day of 2015 for all calls under ICT (under which many are
relevant to creative, digital and design businesses). A great way to meet
potential partners, programme officers and to find out more about calls.
Registration is free but fills up fast.
KTN will be running a number of events in London and Europe in 2015-16 to
help UK businesses learn more about relevant calls and to help find partners
to build consortia. More info on the KTN Creative, Digital & Design portal.
H2020

18. Public funding calls
Eurostars 2015
Key feature: The Eurostars programme is targeted at innovative SMEs
wanting to take part in collaborative research with partners across Europe
and associated countries. Only Research Performing SMEs are eligible for
funding in the UK.
Scale: Grant, per UK partner, is up to a maximum of 360,000 Euros [on
maximum eligible costs of €600,000] per UK participant in a project - 60%
grant rate.
Closes: 17 July 2015
More info on: the H2020 portal

19. Public funding calls
Key feature: Innovation voucher scheme funding for start-up, micro, small
and medium-sized enterprises to work with an external expert to gain the
knowledge to innovate and grow.
Scale:
• Up to £5k voucher for SMEs
Closes: 22 July 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org
Innovation Vouchers

20. Public funding calls
"Smart" grants for start-ups and small businesses
Key feature: A grant scheme which offers funding to small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the
strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology.
Scale:
• Proof of market - up to £25k - 60% of project cost
• Proof of concept - up to £100k - 60% of project cost
• Prototype development - up to £250k - up to 45% of project cost
Closes: 16 July 2015
More info on: innovateuk.org

21. Creative England film production funding
Key feature: Creative England now offers two strands of film production
funding for both feature and high-end TV drama.
• Lottery-based Production Fund: this is targeted at feature films with
budgets of up to £2m and looking to experiment with innovative
approaches; the fund has doubled from £500K to £1m for 2014/2015.
• West Midlands Production Fund: invests in the production of feature films
and high-end TV drama from companies based in the West Midlands as
well as from producers looking to establish a base to film in the region.
Circa £4m funding available for 2015, with a maximum investment of £1m
per project.
More info at creativeengland.co.uk
Public funding calls

22. Public Investment
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

23. Other public funding
• Creative Europe - here you can find relevant information concerning
funding opportunities within the Creative Europe programme.
• Arts Council of Wales – offer a selection of arts grants for creative
professionals and organisations.
• Wellcome Trust Arts Awards – offer two levels of funding to encourage
collaboration between arts and science.
• Screen Yorkshire – Yorkshire Content Fund – production finance
available; can invest £1m+ in individual film or TV dramas that will be in
production by December 2015.
• ODI Summer Showcase - £7,000 to support your open data project, 5
UK open data projects generating real-world impact with open data, to
help develop and share their stories worldwide.

24. Other public funding
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

25. Private financing
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

26. 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, expertise from over a million members
in businesses, finance providers and advisory firms and organisations

27. 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 UK Business Angels Association is the national trade
association representing angel and early-stage investment in the
UK.

28. 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; the first site to use peer-to-peer lending for
business funding in the UK; as of February 2014 Funding Circle has
facilitated £223 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

29. Launching a new business?
• The Open Data Institute runs a start-up programme that helps
start-ups build business models around open data
• 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.
• Transmit Start Ups provide financial support and mentoring to
creative and digital entrepreneurs that would not normally be
available via traditional banking relationships.

30. Launching a new business?
• School for Creative Start-ups - delivers programmes that teach
people how to start and run better businesses.
• AIM Start Up Loans - Government supported start-up loans for the
Creative Industries.
• Seedcamp is a London based accelerator that provides startups
with seed money, mentorship, office space, support over a year
long programme.
• The British Business Angels Association can help put you in touch
with relevant business angel investors

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?
• Subsidised costs to work with a specialist to build and
deliver business growth – GrowthAccelerator
• Use the IP Health check to identify commercial IP in your
business
• AngelList – helps source angel investors
• 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. Personal Data and Trust Network
A digital business network 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 the Digital Catapult website

34. Training and skills
• Training in Open Data from the Open Data Institute
• Digital Project Management – via @IABUK
• Digital Acceleration – via @hyperisland_uk
• Digital training – via @Econsultancy – e-marketing courses
Develop your skills with these world-class courses:

35. Useful reports/ market research
• The Open Data Institute’s - Roadmap for the UK
• World Economic Forum - Technology 2015 report
• Nesta – Creativity vs Robots
• UK Gov - cyber-security and the insurance sector
• ICO’s - guide to good data protection practice
• AoP’s - Digital Landscape 2015 report
• Apple’s platform for digital healthcare - article via Techcrunch

36. Useful reports/ market research
• Ernst & Young - Landscape of UK Fin-tech report
• TubeMogul – A UK Advertiser’s Guide to Programmatic TV
• KTN - Design and Data Visualisation
• Digital High Street Advisory Board – Digital High Street 2020
• ICAEW – Corporate Financier June 2015

37. Something else we've missed?
Please let us know: cdd@ktn-uk.org
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