£50,000 prize launched to boost creative collaboration in Scotland

Launched by Scottish Enterprise (SE), in partnership with Creative Scotland, Cultural Enterprise Office, Interactive Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and delivered by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS), the Collaboration Prize aims to encourage companies to consider establishing a consortium to help improve trade and deliver sustained growth.

Businesses from the creative industries are being invited to submit entries for a chance to win £5,000 cash, up to £5,000 consultancy support to set their idea in motion and CDS support to form their consortium. Up to five winners will be selected to take a share of the prize fund.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, announced this year’s Collaboration Prize, describing it as an inspiration for creative companies with ambitions to grow and reach new markets.

She said: “The creative industries in Scotland currently employ over 71, 000 people and are worth over £5 billion to the Scottish economy. It is vital that we continue to make Scotland a place to attract, develop and retain talent.

“The Scottish Government and its public sector agencies are working hard to help individuals and companies reach their full economic potential and there’s to be no let-up in our efforts. I encourage creative businesses, the length and breadth of the country, to get involved in this unique competition.”

Being part of a consortium can boost business success through opening new markets while reducing the costs and risks. The model can benefit businesses of all sizes, and has proved successful in the creative industries sector.

David Smith, Director of Creative Industries at Scottish Enterprise said: “We know from our evidence that encouraging businesses to collaborate is a significant factor in growing the Creative Industries and the wider economy. The consortium business model helps make companies more productive, innovative and ultimately more successful and we are pleased to be supporting this Collaboration Prize focused on the creative industries sector.”

Cristina Spiteri and her colleagues at Adventures in Light – a previous Collaboration Prize winner – helped launch this year’s competition by demonstrating some of their recent work.

Based in Edinburgh, the company brings together a 3D artist, filmmaker and carpenter to create dynamic projected installations for musical and cultural performances.

Speaking of their success since winning the award, Ms Spiteri said: “Collaborating is at the core of our business. It has allowed us to bring in specialist skills, and together craft something truly unique and far beyond what we could produce on our own.

“Winning the prize has opened so many doors for us. It has allowed us to invest in essential new kit which has supported us to keep experimenting and inventing – something all creative businesses should do. We’ve also had the opportunity to work on some fantastic new projects including the International Science Festival and the Kelburn Garden Party.”

Entries to the competition must be submitted by midnight, December 17. To enter, go towww.scottish-enterprise.com/collaborationprize.

Support with preparing submissions is available from CDS.

For more information email info@cdscotland.co.uk