Technology and the arts have a long history.
Apple became the brand it is today by putting creativity at the heart of what it does. As the late Steve Jobs said after launching the iPad in 2010:
“It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing.”
In recent years Britain’s creative sector has seen a renaissance, growing by 8.9% in 2014 and outperforming the rest of the economy.
This week Barclays and Creative England recognised the trend by launching a new business accelerator programme to give the sector a boost.
Called Barclays Eagle Lab Flight, the scheme is looking for businesses with a focus on virtual and augmented reality, gamification apps, connected devices and applications of technology in industries including healthcare and tourism.
Funding + support
In return for equity in the businesses, participants will receive £25k of funding and expert guidance on business planning, sustainability, leadership, culture, global impacts and more.
Read more: How to Boss it Like Caroline Norbury, CEO Creative England
Taking place in Brighton, one of Britain’s most creative cities, the first batch will run from March 6 to May 27 2017.
Applications are now open and close on Dec 31 2016.
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