Creative industry: focus on innovation and digitisation

Many business founders in the creative industry are often faced with the challenge of explaining their business models, which are usually innovative or unconventional. Careful construction of a business plan is therefore a must if you are starting some form of creative business.

The state has created a point of contact through its centre of expertise for the North Rhine-Westphalian creative industry, Creative NRW. The centre of expertise forms links with other business sectors, imparts knowledge, establishes contacts and generates collaborative ventures.

The Mediennetzwerk NRW is a media network that supports the development of the digital media sector in North Rhine-Westphalia, focusing on games, VR/AR, web video and mobile technology by means of cross-sector networking and mediation activities. It offers business founders and young creatives an advice and information service that covers support, funding and finance.

The Mediengründerzentrum NRW (information in German only) is the state's media start-up centre that offers a one-year grant programme to young business founders in AV media, new media and games, providing advice at weekly seminars, as well as coaching and mentoring, and networking within the sector.

National sponsorships

When it comes to sponsorships, it also helps to take a look at what is on offer in your own state. Support at national level is also available for creative start-ups.

Information about the creative industry and business founders in this sector is available at www.kultur-kreativ-wirtschaft.de (information in German only).

Each year, the federal government's culture and creative industry initiative honours 32 businesses as cultural and creative pilots (information in German only). Applications are open to companies, individuals, business founders and projects from the cultural and creative industry and their contacts with other sectors. The title holders participate in a one-year mentoring programme.