Research News Last updated 13 August
The West Midlands’ first creative industries cluster has attracted more than 250 grant applications, with over a quarter from entrepreneurs who are under 35, and more than a third from ethnic minority backgrounds.
CreaTech Frontiers launched in April 2025 as a partnership between Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, Coventry University, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The five-year, £7.2 million initiative, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to drive skills, research and development (R&D), and business innovation within the region's creative industries ecosystem.
The inaugural Foundations funding round offered £250,000 to freelancers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and has seen a diverse set of entrepreneurs and businesses apply.
Of the 251 applications for grants of up to £5,000 or £10,000, 69% came from SMEs and 31% from freelancers.
Applications reflect the region’s diversity:
- 27% of applicants are under 35
- 49% are female, non-binary or preferred to self-describe their gender
- 18% have a disability
- 34% are from black, Asian, or mixed ethnicity backgrounds
“We’ve seen an enthusiastic response from creative entrepreneurs across the region,” said BCU Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers. “They’ve submitted bold and innovative proposals which span the full spectrum of creative technologies.
“We are looking forward to launching the first R&D collaborations in November.”
Successful applicants, to be notified in October, will receive free access to CreaTech labs at the partner institutions, plus expert academic guidance throughout their R&D phase.
A second funding round will be announced later this year.