In early February, the new version of eXpressions' incubator programme Creatives will be launched. The programme will have a completely new approach, drawing on experience gained from the advanced business development programme Future Retail Lab. The new programme places a strong emphasis on internationalisation and sustainability.

- The new initiative reflects what's happening at eXpression right now. We are raising the bar even further, not least by applying the knowledge and insights we have gained from successful ventures in areas such as retail, design and fashion. The new programme brings a clearer focus, which places higher demands on us and on companies," says Barbro Renkel, CEO of eXpression Umeå.

Every year, the business incubator eXpression Umeå supports around 100 cultural and creative companies and 150 business ideas in their development. Over the years, a number of industry initiatives have been carried out, including the highly acclaimed Future Retail Lab accelerator programme, which targeted retail and hospitality industries with a retail element. It is in the light of this experience that the new programme has been developed.

- The world is changing rapidly right now and it is important that we as an incubator are responsive and responsive. We see a clear need to develop our support to companies in a growth phase. Now that we have worked through the programme from the ground up, we believe that more companies can accelerate their development, not least in areas such as sustainability and internationalisation. Annakarin Nyberg, who together with Anna Wikholm Kjellberg is responsible for Creatives.

- We know that many cultural and creative businesses have the opportunity to be international from day one, not least in design, games and music, for example. In addition, sustainability and circular solutions are often central to developing businesses in these sectors. In the new programme, we want to take advantage of this and push for even more expertise and targeted action in these areas," says Anna Wikholm Kjellberg.

The new Creatives advanced business development programme will start in early February 2023. The deadline for applications is 31 October.

CREATIVES

What: A new advanced business development programme.
When: Starts on 8 February 2023, deadline 31 Oct. The programme runs for one year with the possibility of extension.
For whom: Startups in cultural and creative industries.

Together with experts and business coaches, participants will have the opportunity to develop and deepen their knowledge in different areas in order to take their start-up to a sustainable business. The programme is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a developable product, tested against a target group and market. As a participant, you are part of the eXpression community and environment which includes office space, two makerspaces and networking opportunities. Creatives runs for one year with the possibility of a needs-based extension.

Examples of workshops included in the programme: business models and market analysis, branding and value creation, pricing and packaging, financing models for growth, internationalisation and export maturity.

CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

The cultural and creative industries are a broad and heterogeneous sector, with businesses ranging from architecture, design, fashion, performing arts and games, to name but a few. Basically, they are businesses that use or build on artistic and cultural processes, at the core of their business idea or as a raw material.

Cover photo from left: Anna Wikholm Kjellberg and Annakarin Nyberg.