Funding and Networking Opportunities

Last updated: 06 Jul 2026

Open Funding Opportunities

These are current and new grant-funded opportunities relevant to Createch in the UK and Europe.

1. Currently closed, but may reopen later in 2026 - Creative Enterprise Business Builder: Grant support for companies working in moving image storytelling across film TV games animation and immersive sectors.
2. Open. Closes: 15/07/2026 11:00 - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 6 (AKT 6): The Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) scheme allows a UK Knowledge Base to work with a UK registered business (which we will refer to as the ‘Business Partner’ from now on), to deliver a short, rapid and targeted intervention. The Knowledge Base partner should be either a UK higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult.
3. Open: Closes 21/07/2026 - CoSTAR Live Lab: Intelligent Venues: Applicants can apply for between £20,000 and £50,000 to prototype, test, and showcase technology focused on Intelligent Venues. These are adaptive, data-driven environments that sense, interpret, and react in real time, blending spatial audio, lighting, visuals, and interaction design to create truly responsive live experiences. In addition to cash grants, applicants can apply for up to 20 days of dedicated access to our R&D infrastructure and technical expertise at Production Park.
4. Open. Closes: 11/08/2026 11:00 - Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1: The aim of this competition is to support early stage innovation in the intersection of high growth potential Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier industries. This funding is to develop innovations beyond proof of concept, de-risking future investment and supporting long term sector growth.
5. Open: Closes 19/08/2026 - CoSTAR Screen Lab: Spatial Audio in Virtual Production: Virtual Production (VP) has rapidly transformed film, broadcast, live performance, simulation, and immersive media through real-time engines, LED volumes, motion capture, and digital twins. However, interaction with visual assets in VP environments remains predominantly screen-centric and visually mediated, presenting challenges in two key areas: For human talent in productions where interaction with digital assets is essential. For audiences navigating complex 3D environments on screen or in live performances or installations. Spatial audio, the dynamic placement and movement of sound in three-dimensional space, offers an under-explored modality for navigating, manipulating, and understanding visual assets in VP environments. By turning sound into an interaction layer, spatial audio can: Enhance situational awareness in complex real-time scenes. Create new creative grammars between sound, space, and image. This call asks: how can spatialised audio become an interaction layer that lets audiences or human talent discover, navigate, influence, and meaningfully engage with visual assets during production or live/hybrid digital performances?CoSTAR support for this call offers a combination of access to equipment and facilities, research expertise, and cash funding to support project costs. The total value of this support package is valued at over £150k per project. For this specific call up to two projects will be awarded cash funding of up to £35k per project.
6. Open. Various closing dates between January and June 2027 - Horizon Europe 2026-27: Horizontal Actions - Bridging Actions: A series of topics aiming to facilitate a smooth transition between Horizon Europe 2021–2027 and the next EU R&I Framework Programme, Horizon Europe 2028–2034. e largest calls can provide up to €20m of funding for consortia. Individual SMEs can receive up to €300k each for Skills Bridging Actions. Most Horizon Europe funding can cover 70%-100% of costs.
7. Various closing dates in Sep 2026, Oct 2026, May 2027 and Sep 2027 - Horizon Europe 2026-27: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society (Cluster 2): Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme for Cluster 2, this Work Programme document outlines the expected impacts as set out by Pillar 2 of the strategic plan and details specific calls for proposals and their relevant conditions to apply. The available topics in Cluster 2, “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society”, are summarised below; for 2026-27, they have been subdivided into 3 Destinations: “Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance“, “Innovative Research on the European Cultural Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries“, and “Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations“. For further details on each call, view the 2026-27 Cluster 2 Work Programme. The calls in this cluster include some single-stage calls opening in May 2026 and closing in September or October 2026, some single-stage calls opening in May 2027 and closing September 2027, and some two-stage calls opening in March 2027 with first-stage deadline May 2027.
8. Open. Applications accepted year-round - SMART: SCOTLAND grants for feasibility studies for SMEs: The SMART: SCOTLAND grant is one of Scottish Enterprise’s research and development (R&D) grants that aims to support high-risk, highly ambitious projects. It provides support to conduct feasibility studies. It’s only available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based in Scotland, and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint. The grant can support feasibility studies that help to show your idea could work in the real world. Your business will need to own any intellectual property (IP) generated from your project.
9. Open: Closes: 31/12/2026 - Creative UK: Creative Enterprise Business Builder: Creative UK are excited to introduce the Creative Enterprise Business Builder, a grant initiative designed to support companies who work in moving image for storytelling, spanning film television, games, animation and immersive industries. With grants of up to £2,500, beneficiaries will be able to work with a consultant to build meaningful connections and create opportunities for business growth. The grants can be used to subsidise the cost of working with an expert to support companies’ specific goals including business planning and strategy as well as offering other specialist expertise, knowledge or contacts. Examples include marketing strategy, monetisation of IP, international operation, and more.

Networking Opportunities

These are networking opportunities in the near future relevant to Createch businesses.

• September 2026 - London, UK - Next steps for technology and innovation in the UK creative industries - growth, regulation, AI and responsible use: his conference will examine next steps for the development and use of AI and other technologies across the UK’s creative industries. The agenda will examine priorities across innovation, growth and responsible use. It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss practical support for technology adoption, investment in research and regional scale-up, and skills and workforce transition. Delegates will consider opportunities around the licensing and commercialisation of creative content and cultural assets, alongside issues for copyright, transparency and protections for creators, audiences and individuals. The discussion takes place in the context of the AI Adoption Plan: Creative Industries, which sets out recommendations for wider and responsible use of AI; UKRI’s R&D strategy for the creative and cultural economy, with its focus on research, innovation and growth; and the Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, alongside continued implementation of the Creative Industries Sector Plan. As use of AI and related technologies develops across creative work, production, distribution and commercial activity, delegates will assess implications for creative businesses and creators, technology providers, platforms, cultural institutions, research organisations and rights holders - as well as frameworks for collaboration between the creative and technology sectors.
• October 2026 - Sofia, Bulgaria - CreaTech Summit South east Europe: For the fourth consecutive year, CreaTech Summit South-East Europe returns to Sofia, bringing together creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, researchers and industry leaders from across Europe for a full day dedicated to the future of the creative and technology sectors. This year's edition will explore one of the most exciting questions of our time: Artificial Intelligence × Artistic Intelligence How is AI reshaping creativity? How do we move beyond automation towards collaboration? And how can technology help us unlock the next level of human creativity? The programme will feature discussions on gaming and AI, the future of design, festivals as drivers of creative ecosystems, the next skills for the CreaTech economy, creativity and intellectual property in the age of AI, a live pitching session showcasing the next generation of film creators, and much more.
• November 2026 - Valencia, Spain - EuroXR 2026 - 23rd EuroXR International Conference: Following the success of EuroXR 2025 in Winterthur, Switzerland, which gathered more than 235 participants from academia, industry, and European projects, the 23rd EuroXR International Conference – EuroXR 2026 will take place in Valencia, Spain, from November 3rd to 6th, 2026 (Tuesday–Friday, 6 half-days), with satellite events scheduled for November 2nd–3rd. Organized by the European Association for eXtended Reality (EuroXR) together with the Institute for Research on Human-Centred Technology (Human-Tech), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, the conference will be locally co-chaired by Dr. Mariano Alcañiz Raya, Director of Human-Tech and LabLENI. This edition will also be organized as a joint event with the European Erasmus+ project Alliance4XR, which will celebrate its final event during the conference. In addition, other European projects will participate, showcasing initiatives that address key themes such as XR in Industry, XR for Cultural Heritage, and XR in Education. Among the satellite events, the Virtual Worlds Association Forum will take place on November 2nd–3rd, providing a dedicated space to explore the evolution of virtual worlds from a European perspective and to strengthen collaboration between research, industry, and policy communities.
• November 2026 - Manchester, UK - Beyond 2026: BEYOND 2026 is the UK's leading conference and festival for research, innovation and emerging technology in the creative industries. Taking place from 23–25 November 2026 at MediaCity in Salford, Greater Manchester, it brings together creators, technologists, researchers, investors, policymakers and creative businesses to explore the future of culture, creativity and technology. The 2026 programme is organised around two core themes: Experience (24 November) – exploring how emerging technologies are transforming creative experiences across screen, gaming, music, live performance, immersive media, XR, AI and digital storytelling. Growth (25 November) – examining how creative businesses can secure investment, develop intellectual property, access infrastructure and scale in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
• December 2026 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - SIGGRAPH Asia: SIGGRAPH Asia 2026, the 19th ACM SIGGRAPH Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Asia, will take place from 1 – 4 December 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – marking the first-ever SIGGRAPH Asia edition in Malaysia. As a roving event across Asia, SIGGRAPH Asia blends cutting-edge computer graphics and interactive techniques with the host country’s unique culture. As a premier event in computer graphics, interactive techniques, AI, XR, animation, and gaming, SIGGRAPH Asia brings together researchers, developers, creators, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and showcase innovations shaping the future.
• December 2026 - Brussels, Belgium - UnitedXR: Augmented World Expo (AWE) and Stereopsia unite to launch the most powerful XR event in Europe: UnitedXR Europe. From 8 to 10 December 2025, Brussels will host the #1 hub for XR innovation, industry leadership, and next-gen immersive experiences, to accelerate  the European immersive ecosystem towards mainstream adoption. This new event replaces AWE EU and Stereopsia Europe, building on the combined 32 years of success and leadership of the co-producers in the XR industry. UnitedXR Europe merges the best of AWE’s world-renowned exhibition, from XR giants to promising startups, and influential tech leaders with Stereopsia’s prestigious conference programming, deep industry insights, visionary workshops, and long-standing connection with European institutions and initiatives (XR4Europe, XR Valley, Women In Immersive Tech Europe). Together, they are creating a mega event at the heart of Europe redefining XR industry standards while highlighting the strategic importance of public-private partnerships and ethics in advancing Europe’s XR leadership.
• March 2027 - Austin TX, USA - SXSW: SXSW is 850+ total conference sessions, 600+ mentor and networking events, 4,400 musicians performing over 300 live showcases, 375+ film and tv show screenings, four nights of comedy, and 450 brands activating. 7 days in Austin to connect, discover, and create what’s next.
• March 2027 - San Francisco CA, USA - GDC Festival of Gaming: Rooted in decades of legacy, GDC has set the global standard for technical excellence, creative innovation, and the connections that drive the industry forward. The Festival of Gaming expands that legacy. Across five days, every discipline, every role, and every stage of the game-making lifecycle is on one program – from design and code to publishing, marketing, and investment. It’s still the rigorous, developer-trusted content you expect from GDC, now amplified with broader perspectives, new interactive formats, and more opportunities to learn, collaborate, and celebrate together. This 40th edition marks an expansion of everything GDC stands for: A festival of ideas, innovation, and imagination. A space that reflects your journey, your role, and your future in games.
• April 2027 - Laval, France - Laval Virtual: Laval Virtual is an annual international conference and exhibition focused on extended reality (XR), including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and related immersive technologies. Held in Laval, France since 1999, it is widely recognized as one of Europe's leading gatherings for XR professionals, researchers, startups, and creators, combining exhibitions, conferences, networking, and innovation competitions.

Createch Grant and Loan Funding Landscape (UK & Europe)

The following sources of grants and loans are relevant to Createch SMEs across the UK and Europe.

Createch Venture Funding Landscape

The following global funding sources of venture funding are relevant to Createch SMEs across the UK and Europe.

This page is updated quarterly, so be sure to return and check for new opportunities.

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