A series of targeted funding rounds and training opportunities focused on the media sector, for creative businesses and individuals.
What is the Innovation Pipeline?
The Innovation Pipeline is a series of targeted funding rounds and training opportunities designed to develop companies and individuals within the media sector in the Cardiff Capital Region and across Wales.
The aim is to increase their capacity to carry out meaningful research, development and innovation (R&D). This can be from early-stage development through to scale up activity, to result in more ideas, diversity and growth to the industry.
Seed Fund 2024 – Applications are now closed
Creative freelancers and businesses in the Cardiff Capital Region and across Wales are invited to apply for up to £10,000 to Research and Develop (R&D) ideas for new products, services and experiences in the media sector.
Scope
We’re particularly interested in applications regarding:
New media formats and innovative new ways of creating content
Virtual production (including the convergence of virtual production and traditional production)
Immersive storytelling through Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR)
Innovation in game content production (including convergence with other media)
The ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in media and content production
Placemaking and cultural/ media tourism
New and inclusive media business models and production processes
Sustainable solutions to the challenges of net zero and the decarbonisation of the screen sector, particularly those that respond to the findings of the recent Screen New Deal Transformation Plan for Wales
Bilingual production
New approaches to delivering news and public information.
We’re also keen to support projects that address some or all of our four strategic pillars: Green, Fair, Global, Growth.
The Seed Fund is not suitable for:
Generic content creation (for example, the standard development of short films, plays, live music events, feature films and television pilots)
General business development
One-off art commissions.
Successful applicants will have three to six months to complete their R&D, supported by our consortium partners PDR and the Alacrity Foundation.
If you’d like to learn more about the application process, get answers to FAQs and hear from some of last year’s projects, you can watch the recording of our webinar which took place on Thursday 14 March 2024.
Application process
Please note, applications must be submitted via the online form. Please ensure you’ve read the guidance notes before applying.
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 discuss 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.
Applications open: Monday 26 February 2024, noon. Applications close: Monday 8 April 2024, noon.
Funding and training opportunities 2023-2025
Innovation for Creatives: Five-day course to support individuals thinking about starting a business or developing a first RD&I funding proposal.
Ideas Lab: Three-day workshop aimed at those with more experience working in the media sector.
Seed Fund: Up to £10,000 for freelancers and SME’s to develop ideas for new products and sector.
Development Fund: Up to £50,000 for businesses to develop RD&I projects that demonstrate clear potential for a tangible product or service.
Scale Up: Up to £250,000 for projects of significant scale and ambition that have the potential to be transformational for the media sector and deliver an international impact.
Greening the Screen: Up to £250,000 for ideas, products and services that have the potential to deliver real positive change across the sector.
Other ways to get involved
Co-created Challenge Partnerships: Partner with us on joint funding calls to address RD&I challenges or emerging commercial opportunities.
News: Media Cymru invests £180,000 of seed funding into innovation projects
We have awarded funding to 18 projects exploring a range of new ideas, including in the fields of virtual production (VP), immersive technologies and interactive experiences.
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