CoSTAR Ideate: Growth Lab and Residency

We're looking for 24 talented, ambitious, early growth creative companies to apply for our CoSTAR Ideate call opening on Monday 24 February and closing on Monday 24 March 2025

OVERVIEW

CoSTAR Ideate supports the development of micro, start-ups and early growth companies looking to scale new IP in the creative technology sector. Delivered via the National CoSTAR network, Ideate marries access to cutting edge facilities, creative and technology expertise and world-leading research that is attuned to the unique growth stage(s) of creative enterprises. The programme presents a unique offer of support to industry from four CoSTAR Network Labs, creating a pathway for companies to engage directly with CoSTAR expertise and infrastructure, to harness IP for business growth.   

WHAT DOES COSTAR IDEATE PROVIDE? 

• A 5-month residency for 24 enterprises, 6 in each of the 4 CoSTAR labs: National Lab, Realtime Lab, Screen Lab and Live Lab.  

• Growth Lab business development sessions delivered by Code Base and sector experts, helping entrepreneurs develop specific skills and strategies to benefit and accelerate their business growth plans. 

• A low-risk route for company and product development through lab development time at CoSTAR Network facilities. 

• Access to technical support, resources at CoSTAR lab facilities, designed to ‘fill the gaps’ in IP and company development pipelines. 

• Access to specialised research within the CoSTAR Network. 

• 1-2-1 business growth, IP development and best practice in inclusive and sustainable innovation mentorship from UK sector experts that can tangibly help develop the business and IP further. 

• Co-location services (desk space/ lab space) for participants on the programme. 

• Access to a community of like-minded startups and entrepreneurs developing creative technology solutions for the creative technology sector.  

• The program takes no equity and there are no fees to apply. 

The structure of the programme allows for companies to integrate support into their day-to-day business activity.  Through the application process, companies have an opportunity to present their ideas and outline how the support on offer at a CoSTAR Network Lab, matches their IP and business growth ambitions. The programme is ideally suited to companies who are looking for a derisked route to develop new IP to drive business growth. 

WHO IS IDEATE FOR?

Participants will be companies who typically are one or more of the following:   

• Have committed to work on an idea OR have an early-stage product in development which is focused on emerging and enabling technologies in the screen and performance sector.  

• Are companies looking to scale their business and IP in new creative or technical areas in the creative industries and generate new revenue streams. 

• Are looking to take their ideas to the next stage, experiment with new research or respond to the adoption of new technologies in the sector.  

• May be pre-revenue or early revenue generating.   

• Are technology-based businesses looking to develop solutions in the creative technology sector. 

• Can demonstrate a high level of ambition to deliver enterprise, creative and technological advancement in the application to creative industries challenges.    

WHAT IS ON OFFER?

CoSTAR Ideate will offer support to six companies in each of the following CoSTAR Network Lab locations, each lab has a sector specialism, facilities and capabilities as outlined below: 

• CoSTAR National Lab: Currently located at Futures Studio in Egham, Surrey, this lab offers virtual production and next generation audio capabilities. 

• CoSTAR Realtime Lab: Located in Dundee and Edinburgh in Scotland, this lab brings screen and performance technology to life. 

• CoSTAR Live Lab: Located in York/Wakefield, this lab focusses on technologies for live performance experiences, including virtual production.  

• CoSTAR Screen Lab: Located in Studio Ulster, Belfast, a virtual production facility in Northern Ireland. 

Six companies will be resident in one primary CoSTAR Lab (a total of 24 companies at each of the 4 facilities) with flexibility and a stipend to travel should they require specialist facilities and expertise in another CoSTAR lab location. 

Applicants will be asked in the application process to present their ideas and outline how the support on offer at a CoSTAR Network lab matches their IP and business growth ambitions. Each of the CoSTAR Network labs have outlined their offer to industry and the areas they are looking to collaborate and support companies in below. 

Read more about what is on offer in our CoSTAR Ideate digital brochure here.

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