Grants latest news Due to a high influx of grant applications, and the need for us to take stock and process the applications currently in the pipeline, the following action is to be taken: BSCI Feasibility Grants For Business Start Ups: No further new business start up feasibility grant applications will be considered, as this budget is now fully committed. For existing businesses: For the time being, no further applications will be considered, to allow time to clear the influx of applications we currently hold. However, we will review the situation over the forthcoming weeks, and if there are sufficient funds remaining after this period, we will then consider further enquiries/applications from June 2008. Look out on this website for updated newsflash messages in June. Creative Space Grants For Business Start Ups: No further new business start up creative space grant applications will be considered, as this budget is now fully committed. For existing businesses: As from the end of April 2008, no further applications will be considered, to allow time to clear the influx of applications we currently hold. However, we will review the situation over the forthcoming weeks, and if there are sufficient funds remaining after this period, we will then consider further enquiries/applications from June 2008. Look out on this website for updated newsflash messages in June.

This programme was launched by Birmingham City Council, and is designed to assist both new and existing small to medium sized enterprises within Birmingham and Solihull. The programme is managed by the council, and delivered via a number of key partners. (Please note that pre-start up organisations do not qualify for BSCI assistance. If you are a pre-start company, please contact Paula Tew at the Creative Launch Pad - telephone 0121 224 7375, who will be able to provide you with free preliminary advice and guidance). Another aspect of the programme are the Creative City Awards, open to all creative companies who have benefited from the support of the BSCI programme.

The programme aims to provide an holistic package of support, which encompasses the following four key elements: 1. Creative Space (Incubation) Up to £5,000 of grant support is available to: Set up new business premises Expand existing premises Eligible costs include: Rent and rates (for the first 12 months) Physical relocation to new premises Telephone/fax connection ISDN lines/cabling Broadband connection Business signage New business cards and letter headed paper Installation (heating and electrical) Professional fees BEFORE APPLYING FOR CREATIVE SPACE, PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO ENSURE THE LOCATION OF YOUR PROPERTY IS ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU MEET WITH A PROJECT OFFICER TO DISCUSS YOUR SUBMISSION PRIOR TO COMPLETING A CREATIVE SPACE APPLICATION. A VISIT BY A PROJECT OFFICER TO VIEW THE PROPOSED SPACE IS USUALLY REQUIRED PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF YOUR APPLICATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A BUSINESS PLAN AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. 2. Feasibility A grant of £2,500 is available to help identify new market opportunities for products and services. The funding can be used to: Assess the market for a new product or service Undertake specialist sector studies Design Portfolios 3. Business Development Up to 5-20 days consultancy support to develop a business in, for example, the areas of: Business planning Sales and marketing plans Financial planning, etc 4. Business Programmes Master classes and workshops covering sector specific subjects such as: Intellectual property rights Distribution Contracting Sales pitching

Case Studies To date, 850 creative companies have accessed BSCI funding to help develop their businesses. If you would like to learn more about how some of these companies maximised the funding available, please click on the appropriate link. 3form Cinnamon Aitch Mediascope the CharacterShop

Contact: If you are interested in the above BSCI programme then please contact us on the following: For Feasibility or Creative Space support, call: Shasta Rashid, Birmingham City Council on 0121 303 2462 / Shasta.Rashid@birmingham.gov.uk For Business Development support call: Lara Ratnaraja, Business Link West Midlands on 0121 569 07561 / lararatnaraja@businesslinkwm.co.uk Nadia Wood, Business Link West Midlands on 0121 569 07561 / nadiawood@businesslinkwm.co.uk Screen West Midlands – 'Drive' Accelerate Your Business Louise Bermingham, Skills Development Manager on 0121 265 7120 / www.screenwm.co.uk If you wish to obtain Application Forms for either the Creative Space or Feasibility elements, these are available below. When applying for either Creative Space or Feasibility support, please ensure that a Jobs Monitoring Form is completed and accompanies your application.