Creative Sector Service (CSS) – an Arts Council initiative – has partnered with the International Special Events Society (ISES) to offer finance opportunities to SMEs in the industry which provide creative content.
Speaking exclusively to Event magazine, chief executive of CSS, Mary-Alice Stack, said as well as presenting businesses with funding options, the initiative will also be a fact-finding opportunity to help showcase creative event businesses to wider industry and government.
"We want to find out from the applications what obstacles these companies are facing and what the business development opportunities are to better understand the marketplace and show how creative content is at the heart of this sector," said Stack.
"We know there is a knowledge gap and lack of understanding between the financial institutions and creative businesses, and we aim to bridge that gap."
ISES and CSS are looking for ten creative content projects, products or services which can be presented at an ISESConnects Creative Hub showcase event in early November in London.
"We want to present a range of fledgling and well established creative businesses to a panel of potential investors and lenders," said Stack. "We act as a matchmaker between them, and will work with the companies offering business support to raise their profiles and present them as investment-ready."
CSS launched its Creative Industry Finance pilot programme last May, and has since secured funding to around 30 businesses in London and Yorkshire.
The closing date for applications, which are available by emailing toni@isesuk.org.uk, is Monday 2 September.
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