A new programme aims to help SMBs in the creative industries develop digital tools for businesses.
Non-profit organisation Creative England is behind the scheme, and has poured 250,000 into the initiative, but it is seeking a corporate sponsor to match its funding.
The group's CEO, Caroline Norbury MBE, said: "As digital technology becomes increasingly important to a range of industry sectors, more big brands are starting to wise up to the immense benefits of outsourcing innovation by collaborating with small creative disruptors."
It believes that products coming out of the project could apply to industries like healthcare, retail, insurance, education and hospitality.
The programme builds on Creative England existing work to help SMBs access funding and expertise from large multinational companies such as Microsoft, Disney and Playstation, and organisations like the BBC. In turn, it believes large companies benefit from the fresh thinking and innovative solutions of young start-ups.
Creative and digital SMBs in the UK already contribute 76.9 billion to the economy, according to Creative England.
A national call for submissions will begin later this year after Creative Nation's funding is matched.
Digital economy minister Ed Vaizey, who helped promote the scheme at Google's London campus this week, said: "Government is already helping to create the right environment for UK businesses to continue to grow, so I am delighted to launch the new Creative Nation programme bringing large organisations and smaller companies together.
"It will encourage big businesses from across the UK to explore the boundless possibilities for growth and innovation that the UK's many small, but exceptionally talented, creative businesses can offer."
-
AI layoffs could spark a new wave of offshoringNews Analysts expect a wave of rehiring next year in the wake of AI layoffs. That may sound like good news for workers, but it'll probably involve offshoring or outsourcing.
-
Hackers are using these malicious npm packages to target developers Windows, macOS, and Linux systemsNews Security experts have issued a warning to developers after ten malicious npm packages were found to deliver infostealer malware across Windows, Linux, and macOS systems.
-
Is Rishi Sunak’s ‘Unicorn Kingdom’ a reachable goal or a mere pipedream?Analysis Plunging venture capital investment and warnings over high-growth company support raise doubts over the ‘Unicorn Kingdom’ ambition
-
Some Tech Nation programs could continue after Founders Forum acquisitionNews The acquisition brings to a close a months-long saga over what the future holds for Tech Nation initiatives
-
Podcast transcript: Startup succession: From Tech Nation to Eagle LabsIT Pro Podcast Read the full transcript for this episode of the ITPro Podcast
-
The ITPro Podcast: Startup succession: From Tech Nation to Eagle LabsITPro Podcast Some small firms are already lamenting the loss of Tech Nation, but Barclays Eagle Labs has much to offer the sector
-
Don’t count Barclays Eagle Labs out just yet – it can deliver in ways Tech Nation never hasOpinion Tech Nation has a great track record, but Eagle Labs has the experience, the financial clout, and a clear-cut vision that will deliver positive results for UK tech
-
UK tech sector could face a ‘unicorn winter’ amid spiralling economic conditionsNews Tech Nation’s final piece of industry research calls for action to support continued ecosystem growth
-
"It's still not great": Industry divided on government's SMB tax relief packageNews The government’s handling of R&D tax credits has left SMBs with a “sense of disbelief”
-
UK startup's Equinix deal marks step towards broad quantum computing accessNews Businesses around the world will be able to use its quantum computing as a service platform through Equinix
