Incubator for creative Industries in Rethymno , Θερμοκοιτίδα Επιχειρήσεων , Βιο.Πα Ρεθύμνου Ρέθυμνο | Invitation to Tender – Access to finance in the Creative Industries

Invitation to Tender – Access to finance in the Creative Industries

Anecdotal evidence and small-scale surveys indicate that businesses in the UK creative sector face strong barriers to accessing finance. This is one of the reasons put forward to explain the relative scarcity of global-scale UK creative companies. However, there is a lack of rigorous empirical evidence on whether the creative industries face unique barriers in accessing finance compared with other sectors in the economy; the interplay between them and whether all creative industry sectors face the same challenges.

We’re inviting proposals that address the following research questions:

Do creative businesses in the UK face significantly different barriers in their access to finance compared with other sectors of the economy?
What are the key factors that constrain access to finance for UK creative businesses?
Depending on the answer to question 2, what, if any, policies should be implemented in order to improve access to finance for creative businesses?

We are particularly interested in proposals that address the questions above using quantitative methods and economics, and with an awareness of issues relevant to specific creative sub-sectors. We are also interested in proposals which make use of and effectively integrate qualitative and quantitative methods. Proposals which can be completed earlier than the indicative deadline for submission of the final report below are particularly welcome.

Please send us your proposals no later than 12.00 noon on Friday, 6 February 2009.

Download the Access to Finance in the Creative Industries research briefing document (PDF)
Download the accompanying guidance notes (PDF)