Creative freelancers and businesses get opportunity to apply for seed funding
30 January 2023
Creatives in the Cardiff Capital Region can apply for up to £10,000 of seed funding, thanks to the launch of the Media Cymru Innovation Pipeline.
Led by Cardiff University, Media Cymru aims to turn Cardiff and the surrounding region’s media sector into a global hub for innovation, with a focus on green and fair economic growth. Over the next five years, it will support businesses and individuals within the creative sector with a series of funding rounds, training, and research opportunities.
Applications for the first Media Cymru Seed Fund opened on 23 January, offering creators the opportunity to secure funding for the research and development (R&D) of new ideas.
Lee Walters, Senior Producer and Funding Manager, Media Cymru, said: “This first round of Media Cymru seed funding is a real opportunity for creative thinkers to explore early-stage ideas through a supported period of research and development.
“We know that Wales and the Cardiff Capital Region is brimming with creators who have great ideas, and we can't wait to hear them, help turn them into reality, and work together to accelerate innovation in the media sector in this part of the world.”
Through the Media Cymru Innovation Pipeline, financial backing will allow Welsh creatives the chance to take very early-stage ideas through to fully validated projects. Over a three-to-five month period, successful applicants will also be supported by experts from the Media Cymru Consortium - PDR and the Alacrity Foundation.
Following the successful completion of seed funded projects, applicants may also be eligible to apply for further support via Media Cymru’s Development Funding, which is due to launch in July 2023.
Media Cymru is led by Cardiff University, with government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund, Welsh Government through Creative Wales, additional support from Cardiff Council, industry and university partners, as well as the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.
Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport said: “We know that Wales is home to creators and producers who make a huge contribution to our economy and our international profile. In line with our Programme for Government commitment to support more R&D in the creative sector, the Welsh Government through Creative Wales is supporting Media Cymru to ensure that initiatives such as this seed fund enable further Welsh talents to develop new innovations.
“This seeding fund is more than launchpad for new ideas. It represents an investment that will deliver real returns for our economy and society, as Wales becomes an international hub for innovation in the creative industries.”
For more information, visit www.media.cymru
