It’s free. It’s easy. Creative Launchpad is a brand new way to find all sorts
of advice, help, contacts and information you need to make your creative business
idea work. All free of charge.
What do we do? If you’ve got a great idea, we can point you in the
right direction to get the support and help you need to make it work. To do
that we use our:
extensive contacts with creative organisations
in-depth knowledge of the local creative economy
huge database of support and funding services
Better still, we'll introduce you only to the people, organisations
and funding sources who are relevant to your idea.
Who can use Creative Launchpad? Who can't? These days, creative industries support a vast
range of people: musicians, artists, tv and film-makers, advertising agencies,
designers, internet and multimedia specialists, dancers, photographers...and
more.
We're looking for innovators and people with great ideas. You
may already be working in or with the creative industries. Or, you may simply
want to get your first idea off the ground. As long as your idea is good enough,
we can help.
How we work. We’re flexible. You may only need a quick 30-minute
chat, a few contacts, general advice or some training. Or your project might
call for in-depth consultancy – including support if you apply for funds.
Whatever it takes, our service is free of charge to you.
More specifically, Creative Launchpad can assist individuals
and businesses operating in the Creative Industries by:
Providing general advice, guidance and support relevant
to your needs and particular sub-sector of the creative industries.
Work with you to develop your new ideas.
Provide assistance in scoping out all that you need to do to develop your
business (make it more profitable, more efficient, more effective etc.) and
then linking you with relevant funded programmes of support or partner organisations.
Identify any projects/strategies that you are undertaking that could receive
public funding.
Network you with other creatives in your sub-sector by sending you relevant
and current information on subjects like new funding streams, business opportunities,
details about networking events for your sub-sector etc.
Upon your approval use your company's situation as evidence
to funders of i). potential gaps in provision of funded support, ii). success
stories in the region, iii). size, demographics and make-up of particular
sub-sectors of the creative industry.
Upon your approval use your company's situation as evidence
to other industry sectors and press of i). the capacity of the Creative Industry
in the region to provide an innovative and professional service ii). to establish
potential links between other industry sectors.
Client Services we provide
Our team of specialist Arts/Business/Information advisors understand
the unique challenges faced by Creative People and we can offer the following
services:
Useful information sent to you directly ...
Website - the provision of a comprehensive website
where information on opportunities for jobs, training, events, funding etc
can be viewed and followed up.
Newsletter - the provision of a weekly newsletter
to the mailing list of over 2500 individuals where new opportunities, "the
week ahead" and "ones to watch" are advertised.
Business Advice and Guidance...
Information Service - the provision of relevant and
expert information through the drop-in office at The Custard Factory, and
at Host Community Organisations in Coventry, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich,
Sandwell, Dudley on weekly basis, the 0845 303 7375 hot line, and through
email.
Initial Advice and Guidance - the provision of matrix
quality standard one-to-one initial advice and guidance to identify training
and business development needs, offer potential solution and create appropriate
and relevant action plans.
Signposting - the provision of signposting to relevant
Partner Organisations provision that will meet the identified training and
development needs.
Business Development Support ...
Business Support - the provision of in-depth business
support through the completion of a comprehensive business needs analysis
and the creation of business development plans.
Business Development Consultancy - the provision
of business development support to established creative businesses through
the provision of expert solution to business issues.
On-going support/mentoring - the provision of on-going
support and mentoring as needs change and the business develops and grows.
Training and Qualifications ...
Training Seminars - the provision of a range of seminars
on topics relevant to the needs of creative companies
Qualifications - the provision of accredited
training courses leading to qualifications made relevant to the creative industries
