Creative technology companies in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being urged to tap into a new funding scheme designed to fast-track innovation in the growing createch sector.
Createch Frontiers, a £7.2 million research and development programme led by Birmingham City University, is offering grants of up to £10,000 to help creative SMEs and freelancers test, develop, and scale ideas that fuse disciplines such as AI, XR, gaming, immersive media, and live performance.
To help businesses understand how to apply and make the most of the offer, a regional briefing is being held in Stoke-on-Trent on 18 July, from 12pm until 2pm at Framescape, 1 Campbell Place. The event will provide insights into the funding process, share examples of eligible projects, and connect businesses with the academic teams behind the programme.
Framescape’s Dan Waterman said: “The event is open to all creative and technical businesses ready to push boundaries with bold original ideas. It’s important we make sure Stoke-on-Trent is part of the conversation.”
Alongside funding, successful applicants will benefit from access to university R&D labs, specialist equipment, and up to 20 days of academic support—providing a rare opportunity to accelerate innovation with hands-on collaboration from some of the UK’s leading creative and technical minds.
The fund supports two tracks:
- Explore: up to £5,000 for early-stage ideation and feasibility work
- Experiment: up to £10,000 to build prototypes or test new concepts
Applications are open until 4 August 2025, with awards expected to be made in November.
Backed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and UK Research & Innovation, Createch Frontiers is part of a national effort to support sustainable growth in the UK’s fast-evolving creative economy.
More details can be found at createchfrontiers.com. Anyone who’d like to attend the event should email daniel@carseandwaterman.com
