Support
Free tailored business support for high-growth creative companies
About us
East Midlands Creative Consortium (EMC²) is a network of business support and creative organisations drawn from across the East Midlands.
Its members include local authorities, universities, local enterprise partnerships and a wide range of private, public and voluntary sector bodies.
EMC² was formed following a successful £1.3 million bid to the Government’s Create Growth Programme, led by the former Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).
Create Growth was financed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to enable participating regions to offer tailored support packages for high‑growth creative businesses and to help them secure commercial investment.
From 2022 to March 2026 participating firms received specialist business support to become investment‑ready, unlocking further funding opportunities from Innovate UK as well as private investors.
The Create Growth programme.
The programme was designed to accelerate the growth of creative businesses across Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby, Derbyshire, Greater Lincoln and Rutland, by offering specialist support, expert coaching and opportunities to prepare for investment.
Over four years, we supported eight diverse cohorts of high growth potential creative businesses, linking them with industry specialists, investors and growth mentors. Participants came from a rich cross‑section of the creative industries, including film, gaming, design, digital content, performing arts, publishing, music, photography, fashion, architecture, and advertising and marketing.
Although the Create Growth Programme has now ended, its influence is ongoing. The businesses, networks and collaborations established over the past four years will sustain this momentum, continuing to drive innovation and creativity across the East Midlands well into the future.
”“It was like business therapy. Since completing I've taken the time to apply everything I’ve learned and I’m seeing results.”
Andy JuppPaper Starlights
Create Growth at a glance
The Create Growth programme provided:
Learning
A curated blend of workshops and expert masterclasses
Community
Valuable peer-learning and shared growth sessions
Mentoring
Focused 1-1 mentoring to build investment readiness
Celebrating 4 years of Creative Business Growth
From 2022 to March 2026, the East Midlands Create Growth Programme empowered creative businesses across the region to scale, innovate and unlock investment.
- 8 cohorts delivered over four years (2022 -2026)
- 141 businesses completed the full programme and benefited from tailored workshops, peer networks, specialist mentoring and strategic tools to support long-term growth.
- 53 businesses completed Investment Readiness Workshops and gained critical insight into investor expectations, financial modelling and pitching, helping them build confidence and understand their investment journey.
- A thriving network of ambitious creative entrepreneurs across the East Midlands
- Building a Stronger Creative Economy: The East Midlands is now home to a more connected, more collaborative and more resilient creative sector—strengthened by the hundreds of founders and mentors who took part.
At completion:
- +7.1 jobs created (net of additionality factors) – £400k GVA p.a.
- +£662k increase in annual turnover across supported businesses
Projected next 2 years outcomes (self-reported by businesses):
- Increased profitability (92.3%) and turnover (84.6%) in the next 2 years.
- Stronger knowledge of finance options (53.9%); greater access to finance (30.8%).
The programme is now complete—leaving a stronger, more connected creative economy and a legacy of growth.
”“Create Growth was an incredibly valuable experience for me to step back from the
Andy GundelachCreated by TEN
day-to-day running of the business and invest time in working on the business itself.”
Industries in our creative community
EMC² supported growing creative businesses operating in the regional creative sectors including:
Advertising & Marketing
Craft bold campaigns that captivate, connect and convert. This is your space to experiment, elevate your brand and own your audience.
Architecture
Design beyond the blueprint. Shape skylines, reimagine spaces and bring structure to vision with purpose and creativity.
Crafts, Design & Fashion
Make with meaning. From handcrafted pieces to runway-ready designs, showcase your style, story and skill.
Film, TV, Video & Radio
Lights. Camera. Innovation. Whether behind the lens or on the mic, it’s your time to tell stories that move people.
Photography
Capture the moment, frame the future. Push your practice, refine your craft and turn snapshots into standout visuals.
IT, Gaming & Software
Code your own path. From game dev to digital tools, build brilliant tech that entertains, empowers and evolves.
Publishing
Words matter. From print to pixels, shape narratives, amplify voices and get your stories into the world.
Museums, Galleries & Libraries
Preserve the past, inspire the present. Create spaces where ideas live, history breathes and curiosity leads.
Music, Performing & Visual Art
Make noise, make magic. Whether it’s on stage or on canvas, express your vision and connect with your crowd.
What is EMC2?
East Midlands Creative Coalition (EMC²) is a community of organisations from the East
Midlands. Members include local authorities, universities, local enterprise partnerships, and many other organisations in the private, public and voluntary sector.
