Creative Businesses Thrive with Innovative Workshops in the East Midlands

The Create Growth Programme in the East Midlands recently celebrated the successful completion of its second cohort, which featured 12 participating creative businesses. This government-funded initiative, which runs until 2025, is tailored to support high-growth potential creative enterprises across sectors including advertising, architecture, crafts, design, film, gaming, software, publishing, and more. The programme aims to facilitate business scaling, prepare participants for investment, and stimulate regional economic growth.

The programme is structured into five cohorts, offering a blend of online and in-person workshops. The online cohorts (1, 3, and 5) are managed by CDI Alliance, while Greenborough Management oversees the in-person groups.

Reflecting on the cohort’s journey, Russell Copley, founder of Greenborough Management, noted, “The most remarkable aspect of this group was witnessing how quickly they built a supportive environment. This allowed them to openly share both the successes and challenges they’re experienced and are typical of growth-stage businesses. This enhanced the group’s overall learning experience and made it much more enjoyable.”

The in-person Create Growth sessions feature the innovative 10×10 business model, developed by Greenborough Management, which has proven effective in both online and in-person settings. This model is designed to build the confidence and skills of ambitious business owners. Each participant also received up to five hours of mentoring, with the option for additional support if desired.

Andy Gundelach, from Created by TEN, and a participant in the second cohort, praised the programme: “The course has been impeccably designed, and its timing aligns perfectly with our current growth phase. The shared insights and strategies have been immensely impactful. The peer support and the collaborative nature of this programme have been invaluable, especially through the face-to-face interactions.”

The cohort’s members have formed strong bonds and continue to meet regularly, encouraging a community of shared experiences and potential future collaborations. Andy Jupp of Paper Starlights encouraged other businesses to join, saying, “Do yourself, your colleagues, and your business a big favour – take time out to meet others who are navigating similar challenges.”

Eligible businesses are invited to register for the next online cohort, managed by CDI Alliance if they’re unable to access in person sessions. The fully online model, run by CDI allowance offers flexibility for businesses that are unable to travel or meet in person. Greenborough Management are actively recruiting for their next cohort, which is scheduled to run from September 16th to November 18th, 2024. For more information on eligibility and to sign up, please visit East Midlands Create Growth.