CoLab
A WEST MIDLANDS INNOVATION PROGRAMME PROJECT
Delivered by Create Central
Our R&D support programme pilot for 2024-2025 was designed to empower small creative businesses to develop new products and services and tap into new markets.
Harnessing the expertise of our Creative Content Production and Gaming Cluster, recognised as a key area for growth in the West Midlands Plan for Growth.
CoLab helped to explore new opportunities, adapt to changing markets and unlock potential.
Collaboration: Connect, share ideas, tackle challenges and explore fresh perspectives to fuel innovation with experts and with your peer group on the programme.
R&D projects: Dive into dedicated research and development support tailored to your needs, to help you develop operational prototypes ready for use in the film, games and TV sectors.
Partnerships: Team up with both small and large businesses to address social, economic and environmental issues (things like looking at ways to improve use of public transport or increasing wellbeing through playing video games).
Dedicated support: Access personalised guidance from specialist producers and business support officers with extensive experience in the creative sector.
Innovation workshops: Participate in interactive workshops designed to spark new ideas and innovations.
Sustainable impact: By supporting R&D projects, we're not just driving innovation for today – we're paving the way for long-term commercial success and positive change.
CoLab can support you to take your business to new heights of innovation and growth! Together, let's shape the future of the creative content production and gaming industries in the West Midlands.
What is CoLab? Innovation Lead for Create Central, Tim Luft, tells us all about it!
CoLab workshops
Video by Stories Click
As part of the CoLab programme pilot we ran a series workshops around the region that focused on supporting small creative businesses with R&D and finding and applying for potential funding opportunities.
These workshops were FREE and open to all, they covered topics like making the most of partnerships, understanding what grant application assessors are looking for in your application and what support is out there for your business.
CoLab launches at STEAMhouse!
CoLab launch at STEAMhouse on 9 May 2024 - photos by Stories Click
We launched CoLab at STEAMhouse in May and what a great buzz we had in the room! Robin Gray, Create Central Board Member, and co-founder GrayJones Media, emphasised that CoLab syncs with Create Central’s Shape the Future 2030 and Beyond, a long-term plan to turbo-charge the West Midlands creative content sector.
“CoLab takes us another step forward to making the West Midlands THE place to create for any storyteller.”
CoLAB is funded through the WMCA led West Midlands Innovation Programme, in partnership with Innovate UK, UK Research and Innovation, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of their trailblazing £100m levelling up investment into the national innovation accelerator programme.