Funding and competitions for you

Last month saw the launch of a new set of funding opportunities for the creative industries from the UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB). The question has always been, ‘Yes, but what are the creative industries and are we considered part of it?’. Interesting point. In the past these initiatives have appeared to favour traditional visually-driven sectors. The definition debate continues across countries apparently. (See Wikipedia’s take on the definition debate as an introduction).

But because of convergence - and maybe even dominance - across the digital media sectors, the aspects that the strategy addresses have finally crossed over to more purist digital media. If you have got lost in the debate before, as we have, take a deep breath and be prepared to look afresh.

Listed on the TSB web site there’s:

• £15 million for cross-platform production in digital media (although the slant appears towards film, TV, online video, animation, video games and special effects.)
• £2.5 million for ‘Frictionless Commerce’ – collaborative projects covering digital transaction environments for content industries.
• £2.5 million for hyperlocal media demonstrators for geographical communities
• £4 million for location-based services for businesses to get their customers into the ‘here and now’ context.
• £2.5 million for valuing and pricing digital assets in digital transactions.
• £3.5 million for ‘big data exploration’ meaning finding new ways of extracting value from data.
• £1 million to help Manchester creative industries cluster.

Well, it is in the right general direction, don’t you think? This funding and the competitions across these areas begin late 2013 and continue into 2014. For a stake in the first (and largest) and the second you need to register interest quite quickly in November. The others weigh-in during late 2013 and early 2014. Now, don’t forget that the project management of funded projects like these is heavy because there’s usually lots more admin than on strictly commercial projects. Also, UK government bodies often ask for Prince 2 qualified project management as a basis. Do you have people qualified in this? We’ve covered Prince 2 aspects and developments before so check out previous blogs.

If you’re tempted, good luck. Remember, you learn a lot along the journey which increases your skills and experience. We all need that.