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Starter for 6 gets a £1 million boost from Creative Scotland

15/10/2009

"This sort of innovative approach not only demonstrates the benefits of Scotland's Creative Industries Partnership but that Creative Scotland is listening to the needs of the sector and delivering success."

A pioneering programme to support creative entrepreneurs has received £1 million backing from Creative Scotland's Innovation Fund to offer an extended service.

During the last three years, Starter for 6, which was set up by NESTA (National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts)has directly invested in more than 80 creative businesses, as well as offering business advice to over 200 emerging entrepreneurs. 

Innovative new businesses developed include award-winning energy savings devices, communications technology for the deaf community, as well as futuristic masterpieces from recycled furniture. Fifteen, Starter for 6 businesses have subsequently progressed to Scottish Enterprise's High Growth account management.

Participants on the programme receive training and coaching to bid for grants of up to £10,000, alongside structured business growth and planning advice.  Improvements will include increasing the number of individuals and teams supported, a 'fast track' programme and a Starter for 6 road show of events for creative businesses across Scotland.

Currently delivered by NESTA, Starter for 6 will, from 01 November, be managed and delivered by Cultural Enterprise Office.  Cultural Enterprise Office supports the development of creative businesses and practitioners through specialist knowledge and nationwide networks of creative entrepreneurs.

Minister for Culture Michael Russell said:

"I am pleased that Creative Scotland's Innovation Fund is being used to extend the Starter for 6 scheme which will support and develop Scotland's most innovative entrepreneurs.  Building on the success of a scheme with a proven track record can only be good news for the creative industries.

"This sort of innovative approach not only demonstrates the benefits of Scotland's Creative Industries Partnership but that Creative Scotland is listening to the needs of the sector and delivering success.  The project will offer real practical support which will help the creative industries to flourish - now and in the future; nurturing talent and creating new entrepreneurs."

Ewan Brown, Chairman, Creative Scotland 09 Ltd added:

'Creative Scotland's Innovation fund will put new funds directly into the hands of our brightest creative talent, reinforcing our commitment to pioneering new businesses. Our economic health depends on investing in our creative potential and Starter for 6 is a proven success in finding and investing in promising entrepreneurs.

'Cultural Enterprise Office has an established record in the successful delivery of business support programmes designed specifically for the needs of creative businesses and I'm delighted that they will continue with this excellent work.  Thanks must also go to NESTA for their original far-sighted approach to this essential sector.'

Deborah Keogh, Director, Cultural Enterprise office welcomed the announcement and added:

'Cultural Enterprise Office has been delivering effective programmes for Scottish creative practitioners and businesses for over eight years, responding to the express needs of a sector operating in a fast-moving global environment.  As partners in Starter for 6 since its inception we are delighted to be able to take the programme forward, ensuring that the next generation of creative talent gets the expert advice and financial support necessary to turn ideas into enterprise. Starter for 6 fits with our ethos and we look forward to working in partnership with Creative Scotland through the Innovation Fund.'

Jackie McKenzie, Head of Innovation Programmes in Scotland for NESTA, said:

'NESTA is thrilled that its highly successful Starter for 6 programme will be extended by Creative Scotland, which will fund and mainstream the programme. It is testament to Starter for 6's success as a model of support for creative enterprise start-ups that it has been adopted into the support system in Scotland.  This is excellent news for the creative sector and proof that our innovative approaches work.'

Starter for 6 partners have included the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and a range of complementary partners including ICASS, PSYBT, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Business Gateway and the higher and further education sectors.

 

For further information contact:

Creative Scotland
Michelle Jordan, tel: 0131 240 2404, mob: 0777 085 1860 Michelle.jordan@scottisharts.org.uk

NESTA
Stephanie Robertson, tel: 0131 556 6649, mob: 07809 665 773 srobertson@webershandwick.com

Cultural Enterprise Office
Lesley Booth, mob: 07799 414474 lesley@newcenturypr.com

To receive further information on the programme when applications open on 16th November, please visit:

www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/starterfor6

Notes to editor:

  • Since 2007, 629 budding entrepreneurs have applied to Starter for 6, with 210 Scottish businesses successfully receiving programme support.
  • 89% of programme participants highlight improved business planning as an outcome of the Starter for 6 programme.
  • Starter for 6 events will be held in Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
  • Creative Scotland's Innovation Fund aims to:
    - Support Scotland's artists by funding new work, inspirational collaborations and residencies,
    - Encourage and support innovative working between public agencies and artists,
    - Extend practical help to new creative entrepreneurs,
    - Support and sustain Scotland's artistic community and economy now at this time of recession, by offering new ways of getting funds into the hands of artists and creative practitioners across a wide range of disciplines.
  • Creative Scotland the statutory NDPB is expected to be formally established in 2010 and will:
    - encourage and sustain artists and creators of all kinds
    - ensure that their work is accessible to all
    - ensure that as many people as possible can participate in creative activities; and,
    - extend and increase the wider benefits of arts and culture, including their contribution to the promotion and development of our unique national culture and its wider place in the international sphere.

The arrangements for establishing Creative Scotland as a statutory NDPB are undergoing further Parliamentary scrutiny through the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (published May 29, 2009).

  • Cultural Enterprise Office is Scotland's specialist creative industry service, assisting creative practitioners and businesses with their development by providing tailored support.  The full range of services is designed to enable them to make a successful living from their creativity, translating their talent into flourishing careers and businesses.

Applications open for the main programme on 16 November 2009 and close midnight Friday 5 February 2010 with awards being made in August 2010. Further details and information on the Fast Track programme will announced on the website: www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/starterfor6

 

  • NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, a unique and independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative. With the largest portfolio of early-stage businesses in the country, it is a leading authority on how to grow new ideas. It also stimulates imaginative solutions to pressing social issues and shapes policy to help the UK meet its national innovation challenges.