Creative firms in certain sectors with a focus on technology can apply for new funding from Innovate UK.
The £10 million ‘Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1’ funding competition aims to “support early stage innovation in the intersection of high growth potential createch and the industrial strategy frontier industries”. These industries are:
- video games
- advertising and marketing
- film and TV
- music, performing and visual arts
Projects must be led by a micro, small or medium sized business, focus on commercial digital platforms and services and have costs of between £100,000 and £500,000.
The grants are provided as match funding of up to 70%. Projects should start no later
than 1 January 2027 and end before 31 December 2027.
Businesses can apply here by 11am on 11 August 2026.
