A new partnership between Cheshire East Council and Creative England has been launched to provide an initial investment fund of £200,000 to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses within the digital sector.
The programme is targeted at digital media, web design and software development (including games and app development) e-commerce and software solutions companies who are looking to scale-up via the development of existing or new technology, products and services.
Prospective applications must be able to demonstrate a clear market opportunity and the ability to generate additional investment as well as growth in the form of job creation and/or safeguarding. Funding will be available as equity investments, loans and revenue-sharing arrangements.
The digital growth programme will be managed on behalf of the Council by the newly-established 'arms-length' Skills and Growth Company, via their business engagement team.
Councillor Paul Bates, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: "We are looking to support a small number of businesses with real growth potential and help them with a programme of intensive support and funding.
"The digital sector in Cheshire East is vibrant and growing and we are determined to help ensure this growth in sustained and that we have a thriving and world-class digital sector in Cheshire East."
The launch of the fund was welcomed by Denise Proctor, chair of Weave – the taskforce set up to guide and support the Council's work to support the creative and digital sector.
She said: "The launch of this programme will bring a much-needed boost to the digital sector and support some of our brightest minds to expand their businesses and grasp opportunities in this expanding field."
Fore information on the digital growth fund visit the Skills and Growth Company website.
Photo: (From left) Skills and Growth Company business connector Paul Chapman, Weave Taskforce chair Denise Proctor and Julian Cobley, managing director the Skills and Growth Company.
