Greater Manchester has an impressive creative sector with strengths in animation, film and TV content, digital media and more. The region is home to a robust community of businesses that are fusing creative thought and passion with innovation and technology, generating an impressive £1.4bn GVA each year.
On 17th March, Invest in Creative, part of the DCMS Creative Scale Up Programme, took to KPMG UK‘s Manchester offices to shine the spotlight on this thriving region and pull back the curtain on the incredible opportunities for investment in the area. From the rich tapestry of film and broadcast talent showcased through the likes of BBC to Europe’s biggest innovation hub for creatives, MediaCityUK – the region is a powerhouse for creative innovation and shows no signs of slowing down.
With the Manchester skyline as our backdrop for the day, we welcomed a room full of investors and key industry players to join in a day of celebrating the local talent and investment community. Kicking things off, we had a panel of industry heavyweights that shared their perspectives on why the creative sector is turning heads and how more investors can look to get involved. From Mike Perls MBE’s extensive experience in the media tech space to Simon Smith’s years of games sector knowledge, both of who were complemented by the celebrated founder of Calla Shoes, Jennifer Bailey – the panel offered a variety of perspectives, all of which shone a light on the rapidly growing industry. Jessica Jackson, Head of Investments at GC Angels and Sarah Novotny, Digital, Creative and Tech Sector Lead for GC Business Growth Hub both hosted the day, with the support of UKBAA’s Managing Director, Rod Beer.
In addition to hearing the expertise of the speakers, we also got to catch a glimpse of local creative innovators in the form of quickfire pitches. Jennifer Bailey, Founder of Calla Shoes and Rassim Hariz, CO-founder of AriSports showcased the breadth of opportunities for investing in the sector. From the innovative design and development of footwear for a niche and underserved market to bridging the gap between video games and live sports, these two founders showcased just why the creative sector is such an interesting and high-growth potential space.
Check out some of the fantastic photos below and be sure to get in touch with GC Angels and GC Business Growth Hub if you’re based in Manchester and looking to tap into some of the great investment opportunities.
This event was presented by The Growth Company, GC Angels, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, UK Business Angels Association and ScaleUp Institute as part of the DCMS Creative Scale Up Programme.
