CReatech cornwall
Kickstart your creative tech journey with CreaTech Cornwall
CreaTech Cornwall is a dynamic new initiative designed to support the next wave of creative digital innovators in Cornwall. Backed by a powerhouse partnership – Real Ideas, Creative UK, Screen Cornwall, Tech Cornwall, and TecWomen – the programme delivers targeted incubation for early-stage individuals and start-ups working at the cutting edge of creativity and technology.
Whether you’re exploring immersive media, coding, digital storytelling, AI, or VR/AR, CreaTech Cornwall is here to help you move from concept to company. This fully funded programme offers bespoke support tailored to your unique needs and ambitions.
CreaTech Cornwall is all about empowering early-stage creatives—recent graduates, freelancers, and new ventures—to gain traction in a fast-growing sector. Participants benefit from one-to-one mentoring with sector specialists, access to cutting-edge facilities like immersive domes and digital fabrication tools, targeted workshops on IP, finance, and sustainable business models, plus micro seed funding to help develop their ideas.
The programme also champions diversity in tech, with dedicated support for female founders through TecWomen’s UPLIFT initiative, and provides high-profile opportunities to pitch and showcase at industry events such as Slush’d Cornwall, Imagination Unleashed, and the Creative UK Summit.
By uniting expertise from across Cornwall’s creative and tech sectors, CreaTech Cornwall is creating a supportive, inclusive environment where early-stage talent can flourish. The programme goes beyond one-size-fits-all business support—it offers a tailored pathway designed to meet the real-world needs of emerging creatives, helping them navigate the challenges of starting out and find their footing in a competitive landscape.
Whether you’re prototyping your first idea or seeking the right connections to grow, CreaTech Cornwall gives you the tools, mentorship, seed funding, and momentum to move forward with confidence.
MENTORING
WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES
EXCITING EVENTS
space to develop your practice
seed funding
NETWORKING
About our partners
CreaTech Cornwall is built by a unique partnership, each bringing unique expertise to support and grow Cornwall’s creative tech ecosystem
Real Ideas is at the heart of Cornwall’s immersive and creative tech community, providing mentoring, powerful networks, access to cutting-edge facilities, and intensive incubation support to help early-stage ventures thrive.
Creative UK As a national leader in the UK’s creative industries, Creative UK brings a wealth of experience, offering access to their national mentor bank, expert insights, industry networks, marketing support, and opportunities to participate in high-profile events like the Creative UK Summit.
Screen Cornwall Dedicated to the sustainable growth of the screen sector across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Screen Cornwall offers tailored mentoring, specialist networks for screen-based start-ups, and the chance to showcase at Imagination Unleashed 2026.
TecWomen CIC is tackling the underrepresentation of women in tech through their UPLIFT programme. They provide targeted incubation, mentorship, and supportive networks to empower female founders in creative technology.
Tech Cornwall is building a vibrant, collaborative tech community in the region. They deliver expert mentoring and support to help early-stage businesses prepare to pitch and connect at major events like Slush’d Cornwall.
Hertzian & Newquay Orchard will offer spot purchased specialist support, including bespoke AI expertise and access to digital fabrication tools, enabling participants to explore innovation through technology and sustainable design.
How to apply
Ready to kickstart your creative tech journey? We’re looking for early-stage talent with bold ideas and big potential. Whether you’re a recent graduate, freelancer, start-up, or just getting started with a new concept, we want to hear from you.
Expressions of Interest open on the 2nd of June 2025 and must be submitted by 9am on Monday 23rd of June 2025.
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
Stage of Development: You’re clearly at an early stage—freelancer, recent grad, or developing a new idea or venture.
Clarity of Idea or Focus Area: Your creative digital idea or area of work is clearly explained.
Potential for Growth & Impact: You show potential to turn your idea into a viable product, service, or business.
Use of Support Offered: You demonstrate how CreaTech Cornwall’s tailored support will help you grow.
Alignment with Values: Your work reflects our core values—inclusion, diversity, environmental awareness, experimentation, and innovation.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are especially keen to support underrepresented voices in creative technology.
Seed funding – Microbudget proposal
Each successful participant is eligible to apply for micro-seed funding to support their early stage development. Each participant will not be awarded more than a maximum of £500 (exc. VAT), but we expect a range of application at different budgets. As there is a finite amount available, please only apply for the level of seed funding you need.
This funding is flexible but should contribute directly to your creative digital growth. It could be spent on equipment, training, tickets to relevant events, travel costs, childcare etc). It cannot pay for your time, or be spent entertaining clients, or for the purchase of alcohol etc.
Funding is only available to applicants who are fully enrolled on the programme. Payments will be processed in arrears once proof of purchase and defrayal evidence has been received, and it has been approved by Real Ideas.
Have you got a question you’d like to ask before applying? Drop us an email at immersive@realideas.org — we’re happy to help!
Upcoming events
CreaTech Cornwall connects you with inspiring events designed to spark ideas, build networks, and open doors. Whether you’re refining your pitch, exploring immersive tech, or scaling your start-up, these events offer powerful opportunities to learn, showcase, and grow.
Mark your calendars for Agile on the Beach 2025
📅 3-4 July 2025 | 📍 Falmouth, Cornwall
Join hundreds of digital leaders, developers, and creatives at one of the UK’s most exciting tech conferences. Agile on the Beach offers two days of thought-provoking talks, workshops, and networking by the sea. With a strong focus on agile practices, innovation, and collaboration, this is a must-attend for anyone working at the intersection of tech and creativity.
👉 Find out more
Discounted tickets to Agile on the Beach 2025 will be available to successful applicants of CreaTech Cornwall.
More events —like Slush’d Cornwall, Imagination Unleashed, and the Creative UK Summit—will be announced soon.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared
Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council is responsible for managing projects funded by the UK
Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Good Growth
Programme.
