Scale Up Fund – Round 2

Overview

The Scale Up Fund Round 2 will invest in companies that can match global competitors in their scale of innovation ambition and skills. We are looking for innovation-driven products, services and experiences with the potential for scale within the media sector.

Your proposal must demonstrate the potential to positively impact on the economy of the Cardiff Capital Region.

Scope

The aim is to deliver innovative products, services and experiences to address challenges that have been identified within the Welsh media industry, through R&D funding.

Your project must:

• Aim to provide solutions with proven feasibility, that address challenges or opportunities that you have identified
• Demonstrate a realistic potential to deliver economic growth
• Be an idea that is set for rapid commercialisation following project completion
• Actively share knowledge and outputs with Media Cymru
• Align with at least one of Media Cymru’s strategic pillars.

Your project can focus on one or more of the following:

• New media formats and the development of innovative content
• Advanced media production, including the convergence of virtual production and traditional production
• New and inclusive media business models and production processes
• Net zero and the decarbonisation of the screen sector, projects that respond to the findings of the Screen New Deal Transformation Plan for Wales are particularly welcome
• Immersive storytelling through extended reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR)
• Video game content and production, including convergence with other media
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies as tools for media production
• Placemaking, including cultural and media tourism
• Bilingual and multilingual production
• News and public information
• Music, voice and audio production, including performance and distribution.

This list is not exhaustive. Where you can show your proposal fits within the scope of this competition you can focus on other themes.

Key Dates

• 7 October 2024: Applications open
• 17 October 2024: Online briefing event: register to attend
• 4 December 2024, 11am: Applications close
• 27 January 2025: Applicants notified.

Accessibility   

If you have any specific requirements that would make the application more accessible to you (such as advice, scribing or reading support) or would like to submit this application in an alternative format (video or audio formats, audio narration, large font, plain text, or alternative language) please email media.cymru@cardiff.ac.uk or phone 02922 511 434.

Eligibility

Your project must:

• have a grant funding request of between £100,000 and £250,000
• last for up to 12 months
• have a primary focus within the media sector
• demonstrate significant potential for economic benefit to the Cardiff Capital Region
• intend to exploit the results in the Cardiff Capital Region
• not start before 1 April 2025
• end by 30 April 2026

Media Cymru Pillars

We are keen to support projects that address some, or all, of Media Cymru’s strategic pillars:  

• Green – reducing the negative environmental impact of the sector 
• Fair – creating a fair, equal and diverse sector 
• Global – increasing international collaborations   
• Growth – driving growth and productivity through R&D

Got any questions?

Join UKRI’s briefing webinar via Zoom (Thursday 17 October, 11am) to learn more about the Scale Up Fund and ask any questions.