Introduction

This page shares highlights from the CreaTech Cornwall Evaluation Report, produced by Melissa Muir at Social Impact Management Southwest CIC, drawing on key findings, participant outcomes, and wider analysis of programme impact and value.

Led by Real Ideas in partnership with Creative UK, Screen Cornwall, Tech Cornwall, and TECwomen CIC, CreaTech Cornwall was developed to support creative and digital entrepreneurs, artists, and early-stage founders across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Rather than following a fixed delivery model, the programme was shaped around participant needs, combining tailored mentoring, sector events, peer networks, micro seed funding, and cross-sector partnerships to support progression from early ideas towards testing, development, and early-stage growth, while strengthening the wider creative-technology ecosystem.

The programme supported 41 participants across three cohorts: Cohort 1 (14 participants), Cohort 2 (13 participants), and the founderUPLIFT cohort (14 participants), reaching full capacity and reflecting strong demand across the region.

Participants included graduates, freelancers, early-stage founders, and creative practitioners exploring technology-enabled business models. Most entered the programme at idea or early prototype stage, rather than with an established business.

Key findings

Participants reported significant improvements in confidence, networks and business clarity: 

• 100% reported increased business confidence
• 100% reported increased networking confidence
• 80% reported improved income security
• 90% reported improved wellbeing

Mentoring and peer networks were identified as the most valuable elements of the programme.

The programme also contributed to a more connected creative-technology ecosystem in Cornwall by strengthening relationships between founders, partners and industry networks.

Indicative economic analysis suggests the programme accelerated enterprise development, with an estimated £3.40 social value generated for every £1 invested.

Overall, the evaluation found that CreaTech functions as ecosystem infrastructure, supporting early-stage founders to move from isolated creative practice toward structured entrepreneurial activity while strengthening the regional creative-tech sector.

Participant journeys and outcomes

Participant journeys typically followed a progression from application and onboarding through mentoring, events and peer networking, supporting participants to develop clarity in their ideas, build confidence, and in some cases begin testing them in real-world contexts.

Three broad progression pathways emerged:

- Accelerated venture pathway

Participants progressed toward contracts, company formation and commercial activity.

- Foundational incubation pathway

Participants gained confidence, networks and clearer direction.

- Inclusion-sensitive pathway

Particularly within founderUPLIFT, participants benefited from supportive peer environments and flexible participation.

The evaluation survey results showed progression across multiple areas, including: 

- Confidence and identity

Participants reported significant increases in confidence presenting ideas and identifying as founders.

- Business development

Participants developed clearer business models, prototypes and pilots, early revenue opportunities, and collaborations and partnerships.

- Networks

Participants moved from smaller professional networks toward stronger connections with mentors, peers and industry partners.

Conclusion

The CreaTech Cornwall Programme evaluation highlights the value of a flexible, participant-led incubation for early-stage creative and digital founders. By combining tailored mentoring, peer support, workshops, access to facilities, and cross-sector collaboration, the programme supported participants to build confidence, strengthen professional networks and develop ideas towards viable creative and technology-led ventures. 

Alongside individual outcomes across the cohort, the programme also contributed towards a more connected and collaborative creative-tech ecology across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, deepening relationships and creating new connections between partners and wider industry networks. 

Now the programme has concluded the evaluation demonstrates that approaches centred on responsiveness, inclusion and partnership working, with space for experimentation can play an important role in the development of skills development and early-stage business growth, and more widely in supporting the long-term strengthening of regional creative and digital ecosystems.

‍