HomeProjectsCultivator Business Support Phase 1 & 2

Based in Redruth, Cultivator is an innovative project that provides tailored support to the Creative Industries, from pre-start individuals through to established SMEs. It works alongside the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub and generic business support provision to deliver bespoke and highly specialist coaching, mentoring and targeted investment needed to build capacity and maximise the growth potential of the Creative Industries. The ERDF project is directly aligned to the ESF Cultivator Skills project. and together the projects provide an integrated programme of skills and business development support for the Creative Industries sector.

Cultivator Business Support phase one received £1,999,116 from ERDF matched by £345,935 from Arts Council England, from £34,403 Cornwall Council and £175,000 from the private sector

Cultivator Business Support phase two, taking place between July 2019 and September 2022, continues the development of the Cultivator programme and its activity. The design of Cultivator Business Support Phase 2 takes into account the knowledge gained and lessons learned through the predecessor Cultivator Business Support project and builds on its success.

The Project Delivery Partners are: Plymouth University, Cornwall Development Company and Real Ideas Organisation.

The project employs Creative Business Advisors who provide a broad spectrum of knowledge across the Creative Industries sub sectors and deliver Development Needs Analysis assessments and advice to beneficiaries.  To ensure that geography and rurality does not limit access to the programme, beneficiaries will be offered sessions at their business premises (including those on the Isles of Scilly).

The following support packages will be offered;

  • Showcasing for Creative Industries businesses
  • Creative and Cultural Leadership programme
  • Bespoke support for creative graduate start-ups
  • Bespoke Export Development programme
  • Rolling programme of financial support through a business co-investment programme

Find out more about businesses which have benefited from Cultivator in these short films: