Creative UK Devon

What happens when investors and creative founders come together with a shared focus on growth? At our latest Big Creative UK Investment Summit in Cornwall and Devon, we saw exactly that. Hosted at the @nationalmaritimemuseumcornwall , the Summit brought together creative businesses from across the region alongside investors, partners and industry leaders, all with a shared ambition to unlock the growth potential of the South West’s creative economy. There were live pitches and an ambitious showcase from the Create Growth Programme businesses, with honest conversations about investment, risk and scaling creative companies, the day highlighted both the strength of the region and the opportunity ahead. A few key themes stood out: • The South West is home to high-growth creative businesses ready to scale • Access to the right investment remains critical to unlocking that growth • Regional ecosystems thrive when collaboration between industry, investors and policy is aligned • Creative businesses are increasingly demonstrating both cultural and commercial value Moments throughout the day included powerful panels to standout live performances and reinforced a simple but important point: the UK’s creative industries are not just full of ideas, they are full of investable opportunities. A huge thank you to our partners, speakers and the incredible businesses who shared their work. Read more about the summit through the link in our bio #Devon #Cornwall #CreativeInvestment #CreativeIndustries

Congratulations to the team at Exeter Phoenix who recently wrapped the Two Short Nights Film Festival 2026, celebrating record attendance and emerging screen talent! Celebrating short film and the people who make them, the Exeter-based festival welcomed over 1000 people and showcased over 70 films from around the world. Known for championing emerging talent and collaboration, the festival also provides a vital platform for Exeter Phoenix commissioned films and filmmakers across the South West. Shout out to this year’s award winners: 🏆The D+C 2026 Commission Pitch was awarded to North Devon filmmaker Lily Bennett for her project Crooked. 🏆The Best Film Award was presented to Arsalan Motavali for Cameraman. Accepting the award, Arsalan said: “It means a great deal considering how much Exeter Phoenix and the team there helped me in the early stages of my career. I have made life long collaborators and friends thanks to the team and festival”. 🏆The Audience Choice Award went to Exeter Phoenix commission Youth Club, directed by first time filmmaker Tiana Linden. 🏆The festival’s legendary 48 Hour Film Challenge was won by Share Films, who were recognised for the third year running with another crowd-pleasing comedic take on the biopic genre with The Jaffa Network. It’s fantastic to see our reputation for screen excellence in the South West continue to thrive. Filmmakers inspired by this year’s festival can now apply to the Exeter Phoenix Short Film Commission Fund, which is open to Devon-based creatives and filmmakers across the South West. Submissions for Two Short Nights Film Festival 2027 will open later this spring. Head to the @exeterphoenix website for more Photo credit: Two Short Nights Film Festival | Alex Toze

“We are pioneers in our spirit because we’ve been peninsula dwellers…” Sarah Preece, Cornwall Councillor for Lostwithiel and Lanreath, could not have captured the spirit of the day better as @creativeukcornwall and @creativeukdevon geared up to deliver the final event in Creative UK’s series of 2026 Big Creative UK Investment Summits — and did we go out with a bang! Last week, 250+ attendees gathered @nationalmaritimemuseumcornwall in Falmouth for a vibrant afternoon of bold discussion, daring creativity, shared celebration and innovative storytelling in true South West style, including an aerial performance, short film screenings and large-scale projection mapping, sending the message loud and clear that the diverse range of creative business and talent in Cornwall and Devon is here to be recognised. Throughout the day we shone a spotlight on the enormous growth potential of Cornwall and Devon, and celebrated the success of the Create Growth Programmes over the last 3 years. Highlights included: - A welcome address from event host Yasmin Jones-Henry, remindingus that “investment money moves based on the stories we tell” - A frank and honest panel reflecting on the creative founders investment journey in relation to regional investment infrastructure - An insightful panel with leaders from Cornwall Council, University of Exeter, Screen Cornwall, Real Ideas and Great South West discussing changing narratives and partnerships in the South West - An expo of 27 creative businesses supported through the Create Growth Programmes in Cornwall and Devon - 7 creative businesses selected to pitch to engaged investors - A spellbinding display from Off The Wall Aerial who boldly scaled the walls above the Boat Hall - A celebration of Celtic language film courtesy of Screen Cornwall - Impactful projections created by the magicians at Blackbeam Cinematic A huge thank you from the Cornwall and Devon team to everyone who supported and participated throughout the day. Photo credit: James Ram #CreativeRegions #CreativeInvestment

“Investment money moves based on the stories we tell.” So said host @yasminrjh opening the Big Creative UK Investment Summit Cornwall and Devon. And some incredible stories have been told at today’s Summit here at the @nationalmaritimemuseumcornwall - during the last of our series of 2026 Big Creative UK Investment Summits. Highlights have included: -An incredible expo of creative businesses from the Create Growth Programmes in Devon and Cornwall -The Romance - a true investment journey of a creative industry founder: a panel in which Mhairi Ambler of @falmouthuni led investors in a discussion about funding offers and opportunities, all in response to questions that followed the narrative of a romantic journey! -Changing Narratives and Partnerships: a superb and keenly insightful panel in which leaders from the South West, with representatives from @cornwallcouncil , @uniofexeter , @screencornwall , Real Ideas and Great South West, shared their experiences and insights into placemaking and the particular journey of the South West region. Councillor Sarah Preece summoned up much of the panel’s spirit when she said “We are pioneers in our spirit because we’ve been peninsula dwellers.” -An electrifying performance from Off The Wall Aerial whose amazing dancers scaled the very walls of the Museum to a spellbound audience. Thank you to everyone who supported and attended today!

The Big Creative UK Summit: Cornwall & Devon is almost upon us! There are just a handful of tickets left for the summit next Wednesday 4th March. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage in bold conversations, connect with investors, and celebrate the vibrant wealth of creative business opportunities in the South West. You can expect regionally relevant panel discussions, keynotes, pop-up performances and an Expo of creative businesses from Cornwall and Devon. Speaker highlights include: Keynote speaker Yasmin Jones-Henry, Financial Times writer and Founder of The Lab E20 Dawn Bébe - Co-CEO & Founder, Crowdfunder  Anna Staevska - The FSE Group Ltd  Sarah Preece - Councillor, Cornwall Council  Sajid Butt - Great South West  Mhairi Ambler - Head of Knowledge Exchange & Impact, Falmouth University  Rachel Thomson - Business Manager, Swig Finance  Tickets are going fast — head to the link in our bio or the comments to get your FREE ticket👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026 ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫/e/1907263579709/?discount=DEV26 Image credit: Spencer Cobby #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

The Romance… What is the actual reality of finding an investor match and building a relationship with them? This panel will provide real examples of Devon and Cornwall businesses from the creative industry finding an investor. Hear it from the investors themselves as they de-bunk myths and talk through what they really want in a match and a long term partner. We will also meet the businesses too, so you can network with them later and get all tips and encouragement you need.   Panelists: Mhairi Ambler - chair Anna Staevska Dawn Bebe Travis Baxter  Dennis Lucan Chris Oliver Rachel Thomson Helen Oldham Book your ticket and be part of the conversation👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026  ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫/e/1907263579709/?discount=DEV26 #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

March is a busy time for creatives, and we know some of you have a chocka timetable. So if that’s, you but you’d like to squeeze in some Creative UK summit time, book a special admission for the final few hours. This networking ticket will provide you with: * Admission into the summit from 4pm to visit the expo area featuring over 30 businesses  * Networking, drinks and speeches with @wearecreativeuk and @im_possibleuk 5-6pm * Performance by @offthewallaerial * Admission into the @screencornwall Celtic Voices short film  event 6-7.15pm  Get your networking ticket via the link below or head to our bio 👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026 ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫/e/1907263579709/?discount=RECP26 Image credit: Spencer Cobby Please note this ticket only allows for access after 3.30pm #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment

Did you know that the South West Creative Industry is the fastest growing CI ecology in the UK? These are the facts and messages that everyone needs to know. Find out more about the CI landscape in Devon and Cornwall, what is to come and how shifting narratives and partnerships are moving the South West into an exciting position. A really good panel discussion for creative business leaders and founders who what to know how to plan for the future. But also a great introduction to the Creative Industry for organisations, councillors, and MP’s  who want to learn more about how to support this growing sector.   Book your ticket and be part of the conversation! Professor Will Higbee Lindsey Hall MBE Nick Grimshaw Sajid Butt  Cllr Sarah Preece Laura Giles Tickets are going fast — head to the link in our bio or the comments to get your FREE ticket👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026  ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫/e/1907263579709/?discount=DEV26 #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

📣Speaker Announcement📣 With just over one week to go until the Creative UK Cornwall & Devon Investment Summit, we’re delighted to introduce speaker Mhairi Ambler Mhairi is a cross‑disciplinary leader whose work spans urban cultures, international collaboration, research strategy, and creative technology. With a Masters in European Urban Cultures, she began her career leading Bristol’s European and International engagement, strengthening global partnerships and contributing to major sustainability and governance initiatives. At Falmouth University, she has supported strategic research development and undertook a secondment with the Arts and Humanities Research Council to help shape a national investment in Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in Realtime (CoSTAR). As Head of Knowledge Exchange & Impact, Mhairi now drives Falmouth’s ambition to lead at the intersection of creativity and technology.  Mhairi will be Chairing the Investment Panel alongside panelists Travis Baxter (Creative UK investment mentor), Helen Oldham (Lifted Ventures) , Dennis Lucan (Cornwall Angel Network), Anna Staevska (FSE) , Rachel Thomson (SWIG) , Chris Oliver (Oxford Innovation) and Dawn Bebe (Crowdfunder).   Get your tickets to the Cornwall & Devon Investment Summit here 👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026 ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫 /e/1907263579709/?discount=DEV26 #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

📣Speaker Annoucement📣 We’re thrilled to welcome Dawn Bébe as a contributor on our Investment Panel at the Big Creative Investment Summit: Cornwall & Devon As a CoCEO of Dawn has been part of the leadership team driving the #1 UK’s rewards based crowdfunding platform towards raising > £500 million for projects across the UK, and responsible for helping it win global awards for the delivery of its mission to tackle society’s challenges by making grass roots ideas happen. She was also instrumental to the launch of Crowdfunder in the USA in 2025.  Committed to supporting creative industries at every level, Dawn’s a trustee of Theatre Royal Plymouth and film company, Cornwall Climate Care. She was a board director of The Plymouth Culture Board.  Get your tickets to the Cornwall & Devon Investment Summit here 👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2025  ⏲️1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 🎫/e/the-big-creative-uk-investment-summit-cornwall-devon-tickets-1907263579709?discount=CUK #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

🔊Panel Announcement🔊 The Romance… what is the actual reality of finding an investor match and building a relationship with them? This panel will provide real examples of Devon and Cornwall businesses from the creative industry finding an investor. Hear it from the investors themselves as they de-bunk myths and talk through what they really want in a match and a long term partner. We will also meet the businesses too, so you can network with them later and get all tips and encouragement you need.   🎟️Book your ticket and be part of the conversation  Panelists: Travis Baxter (Creative UK investment mentor), Helen Oldham (Lifted Ventures) , Dennis Lucan (Cornwall Angel Network), Anna Staevska (FSE), Rachel Thomson (SWIG), Chris Oliver (Oxford Innovation), Dawn Bébe (Crowdfunder)  Chair: Mhairi Ambler (Falmouth University)   The Big Creative UK Investment Summit: Cornwall & Devon👇 📆Wednesday 4th March 2026 ⏰1pm to 7pm  📍National Maritime Museum, Falmouth /e/1907263579709/?discount=DEV26 #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions

📣Summit News📣 We’re thrilled to announce that Yasmin Jones-Henry (@yasminrjh ) will return as host for the Big Creative UK Investment Summit in Falmouth next month 🎉 Yasmin is a writer and cultural strategist with an unrivalled reputation as a thought leader on the importance of culture, creative enterprise and regenerative design principles in delivering both economic and social value.   We’re also pleased to share the full line-up of speakers and panelists joining us throughout the day 👇 Nona Hunter — Chair, Regional Growth Strategy Panel   Councillor Sarah Preece @cornwallcouncil Lewis Bell @team.plymouth James Fairbairn greatsouthwest_ Professor Will Higbee Laura Giles @screencornwall Nick Grimshaw @wearecreativeuk   Mhairi Ambler @falmouthuni — Chair, Investment Panel   Helen Oldham - Lifted Ventures   Travis Baxter - CGP Investment Mentor Dawn Bebe @crowdfunderdawn Anna Staevska - The FSE Grouo Chris Oliver @beaconfund Rachael Thomson @swigfinance Dennis Lucan - Cornwall Angel Network    📆Wednesday 4th March 2026 ⏰ 1pm to 7pm  🔗Head to the comments or follow the link in our bio to book #BigCreativeUKInvestmentSummit #CreativeIndustries #CreativeInvestment #CreativeRegions