Government unveils major finance package to help creative businesses scale and grow across the UK as industry gathers in London for investment summit

Ambitious creative businesses across the UK are set to benefit from a major government-backed finance boost aimed at breaking down barriers to investment.

The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to support the creative industries, a sector that has been a standout driver of economic growth.

The announcement coincided with The Big Creative UK Investment Summit in London, where industry leaders and policymakers gathered to discuss scaling opportunities and investment-ready ventures.

The initiative is being positioned as a significant step forward in delivering the government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, which seeks to make it easier for creative firms to access vital growth capital.

British Business Bank Steps Up Support

The British Business Bank (BBB) is playing a central role in expanding financial support for the creative industries.

As part of the £4 billion the Bank has secured for Industrial Strategy priority sectors, new measures have been unveiled to make funding more accessible:

• A £45 million investment in Redrice Ventures, a seed-stage fund specializing in creative businesses, aims to ensure investors understand the unique ecosystem of the sector.
• The Bank is exploring IP-backed lending guarantees, which could make it easier for entrepreneurs to use intellectual property as collateral, boosting innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Collaboration with other public bodies, such as Innovate UK, will provide joined-up support for creative firms at all stages, from early-stage grants to finance for growth.
• Engagement with sector stakeholders, including small business owners and finance providers, will help identify new opportunities and inform policy through the Creative Industries Council.

Simplifying Access to Finance

To help creative businesses navigate the often-complex funding landscape, Creative UK will launch a ‘single front door’ service in 2026, offering clear guidance on finance options and better signposting for support programs, including those from the British Business Bank and the Business Growth Service.

In addition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is publishing new resources for businesses and regional leaders, including a map of available finance and case studies of successful creative scale-ups.

These efforts aim to make it easier for SMEs and larger businesses alike to identify opportunities for funding and growth.

Linking UK Creative Businesses to Global Markets

The government is also focusing on attracting international finance to the UK.

The Office for Investment and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are identifying strategic investments and connecting creative firms to global markets.

Export missions and international trade events will showcase the UK’s most innovative creative businesses to potential investors worldwide.

Creative Industries: A National Success Story

The UK’s creative industries continue to outperform many other sectors.

In 2024, they contributed £145.8 billion in gross value added (GVA) and grew four times faster than the wider economy between 2023 and 2024.

Research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre shows that nearly one in ten high-growth potential UK firms are in the creative sector, highlighting its crucial role in the nation’s economic landscape.

Industry Voices

Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray highlighted the sector’s global competitiveness, noting that “accessing finance is key” to enabling businesses to scale.

Caroline Norbury OBE, Chief Executive of Creative UK, emphasized that the BBB’s increased support represents a meaningful step forward and that the sector will continue working to widen access to finance for founders and creatives.

Building on Previous Commitments

This latest announcement builds on a £500 million government package announced last month to support innovation in the creative industries.

Further updates on the Sector Plan—including initiatives in skills development, trade, regional growth, and key creative sectors such as music, film, and games—are expected in the coming months.

What’s Next?

The government and industry partners will continue to collaborate to create the right conditions for creative businesses to start, scale, and thrive in the UK.

More growth finance will become available, barriers to investment will be addressed, and private investment opportunities will be increasingly highlighted.

The single front door service from Creative UK, set for 2026, will simplify access to funding, while export initiatives will connect UK creative firms to international investors.

The Big Creative UK Investment Summit will continue to serve as a platform for discussing sector challenges, investment-ready opportunities, and strategies to accelerate growth, keeping the spotlight on the UK’s world-class creative industries.

Summary

The UK government has unveiled a new finance package designed to support creative businesses in scaling up.

Led by the British Business Bank and supported by Creative UK and the DCMS, the measures include seed-stage investments, IP-backed lending initiatives, and a simplified finance guidance service.

With creative industries contributing significantly to the UK economy and showing rapid growth, these initiatives aim to unlock new opportunities for SMEs and high-growth potential firms, while linking UK creative businesses to global markets.