Cornwall’s creative tech community thrives as CreaTech Cornwall programme reaches full capacity

The CreaTech Cornwall programme is now fully subscribed, supporting 42 participants across the region, including 27 on the main programme and 15 on founderUPLIFT. Originally launched in July with 14 participants on Cohort 1, the programme has expanded to include a further 13 participants on Cohort 2, as well as 15 individuals on the founderUPLIFT programme, reflecting strong demand and the breadth of talent emerging across Cornwall’s creative tech sector.

Led by Real Ideas in partnership with Creative UK, Screen Cornwall, Tech Cornwall, and TECwomen CIC, CreaTech Cornwall offers a flexible and responsive approach to business incubation - designed around the needs of participants rather than a fixed programme. This unique collaboration brings together expertise from across Cornwall’s creative and tech ecosystem, offering tailored mentoring, workshops, access to immersive technologies, and micro seed funding to help participants turn bold ideas into reality.

The diversity of projects and participants highlights the creativity and innovation driving Cornwall’s fast-growing CreaTech sector. The programme supports artists, designers, creative technologists, recent graduates, and early-stage founders working on a broad range of ideas. From immersive VR experiences that bring the ocean to hospitalised children, to AI-powered business tools, interactive public installations, and inclusive storytelling for young audiences, participants are exploring how art, technology, and social purpose can combine to inspire change.

As part of CreaTech Cornwall, founderUPLIFT, led by TECwomen CIC, supports 15 early-stage women and underrepresented founders to turn ideas into action with confidence, clarity, and community. The fully funded hybrid initiative provides a safe and inclusive space to develop new businesses, connect with mentors and peers, and build essential entrepreneurial skills. This strand aligns with recent findings from the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee report on Female Entrepreneurship, which calls for greater investment in female-focused accelerators, mentorship opportunities, and dedicated regional support - exactly the type of support that founderUPLIFT is already providing in Cornwall.

Importantly, the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship (2019) highlighted that ‘Up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as UK men. Even if the UK were to achieve the same average share of women entrepreneurs as best-in-class peer countries, this would add £200 billion of new value to the UK economy,’ underscoring the potential impact programmes like founderUPLIFT can have in driving inclusive economic growth.

Madeline Hall, CreaTech Cornwall Programme Lead, Real Ideas said: “CreaTech Cornwall is proving what’s possible when we build programmes around people. The breadth of ideas and ambition across the cohorts show how Cornwall’s creative potential can thrive when the right support and partnerships are in place.”

Caitlin Gould, Founder, TECwomen CIC said: “Through founderUPLIFT, women are given the space, support, and confidence to explore their ideas. Many talented individuals in Cornwall just need the opportunity to act on their spark and connect with others on the same journey. While there are wonderful female start-up communities elsewhere, there was a gap for female founders in Cornwall. This programme provides essential early-stage support, helping participants start their own businesses while building a local network they can turn to for advice and collaboration. We’re excited to see how some of the women are already finding ways to grow and work together.”

Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Cornwall Council via the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, CreaTech Cornwall represents a shared commitment to supporting inclusive innovation and strengthening Cornwall’s creative and tech communities. Together, the partners are cultivating a thriving ecosystem where creativity and technology intersect, giving early-stage founders opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and grow within Cornwall’s creative digital economy.

For more information about CreaTech Cornwall, visit: https://www.realideas.org/creative-futures/createch-cornwall

Image Credit: Jay Stone