Grants up for grabs for creative West Midlands' businesses to bring innovative ideas to life

With a £250,000 funding pot available, the initiative forms part of an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded £7.2 million, five-year cluster programme between Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.  

BCU Professor Lamberto Coccioli, director of CreaTech Frontiers., said: "These initial grants will give freelancers and small companies access to capital and to the research expertise and resources of CreaTech Frontiers to bring to life their most innovative ideas.

“It’s not just about developing new technologies, it’s about creating opportunities for companies to think how they can have cultural and social impact for the region.  

“There are a lot of companies and entrepreneurs already suggesting collaborations and wanting to apply. I'm delighted we're filling a gap that West Midlands businesses need.” 

The official launch of CreaTech Frontiers took place on April 29 at STEAMhouse, BCU’s iconic innovation centre.  

It marks the first time funding from the UK Research and Innovation’s creative industries cluster programme has been awarded to the West Midlands.   

The project will unleash the creative potential of the West Midlands and help drive research, innovation, and skills development within the region’s creative industries ecosystem.  

Ambitious plans for the year ahead include the initial £250,000 in grant awards, a second round of applications for larger grants later this year, a pilot programme with the Birmingham Opera Company, a series of demonstrators with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the establishment of an apprenticeship working group.   

Successful applicants will gain not only financial support but also free access to facilities at one of the five core institutions, plus expert academic guidance during their research and development phase.   

Projects must align with one of several focus areas, which include gaming, immersive experiences, live performance, enabling technologies, visual arts, or research into creative technologies.   

BCU Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba said: "BCU stands proudly alongside our partners to boost innovation and creative growth across the entire West Midlands.

“We’re helping build a sustainable, thriving creative ecosystem that will outlast this five-year project. By capitalising on the region’s unique diversity, depth, and energy, we’re creating something both regionally rooted and globally relevant.”   

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) are also backing CreaTech Frontiers, and believe the creative content and gaming sectors have the potential to generate £65m and create 1,500 jobs by 2030.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’ve got a young, diverse region full of bold thinkers and creative minds who are really pushing the limits of what’s possible with technology. 

“I’m want them to be able to take advantage of the amazing research and innovation coming out of our world class universities and turn their great ideas into global success stories. And as we do that, we’re creating exciting new jobs and showing the world what the West Midlands is made of.” 

Applications open from Monday June 2.