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Innovation Pipeline

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.

 

Ideas Lab – applications now closed 

Ideas Lab is a three-day course targeted at established freelancers and small businesses within the creative industries. This year, Ideas Lab will take place in two locations: Cardiff and Bangor 

Course dates

Cardiff: 23-25 January 2024
Bangor: 7-9 February 2024  

The course will cover:   

  • Understanding RD&I and how to apply it to an idea  
  • The value of iterative testing, collaboration and User Centred Design  
  • Business development and entrepreneurship  
  • Encouraging thinking around how to launch a product and generate public/private funding  

This course consists of two days with PDR, one day with the Alacrity Foundation and access to an online digital learning portal. PDR are a world leading design consultancy and applied research facility. The Alacrity Foundation are an educational institution who provide mentorship for the next generation of entrepreneurs.  

On completion, participants will understand how to translate ideas into innovative proposals that incorporate the needs of end users.

A bursary of £500 will be provided to all attendees.  

Applications close: 7 December 2023  

 

Innovation for Creatives – applications now closed

Innovation for Creatives is a five-day course aimed at college and university students or graduates, early career freelancers, or small business owners interested in the creative industries. This course will take place between 15-18 January 2024 and on 26 January.  

Successful applicants will learn:  

  • How to collaborate with others  
  • Research development and innovation (RD&I) processes  
  • Business development and entrepreneurship  
  • How to create and test new prototypes  
  • Why a User Centred Design approach is an accessible way to innovate. 

This course consists of three days with PDR, two days with the Alacrity Foundation and access to an online digital learning portal. PDR are a world leading design consultancy and applied research facility. The Alacrity Foundation are an educational institution who provide mentorship for the next generation of entrepreneurs.  

On completion, participants will understand how to translate ideas into innovative proposals that incorporate the needs of end users.

A bursary of £500 will be provided to all attendees.  

 Applications close: 7 December 2023  

 

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.

 

Innovation Pipeline

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.

 

Co-created Challenge Partnerships

Contact us for a conversation

Explore the Innovation Pipeline

People working on laptop and writing on post-it note

News: Media Cymru Seed Fund launches

We caught up with Senior R&D Producer and Fund Manager, Lee Walters, to find out more about the opportunity.

Learn More
Innovation Pipeline

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.

Learn More