Those looking to start their own business in the creative industries are being given a unique opportunity to take advantage of contracts available from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The Indiepreneur programme has two contracts available for new, recent or upcoming businesses involved in the creative industries across the Highlands and Islands. The contracts are seeking people to work on the delivery of a wide range of creative industries events, with some emphasis on the music in the initial period.
Businesses that apply need to be involved in some aspect of creative industries. This could be, design, games, film, new media, publishing, radio and television and music. There is no age restriction and contracts will run from October this year until the end of June 2007.
The successful bidders will work on the delivery of a range of events, including goNORTH 2007 - an annual music festival which will be held in Inverness next year. The well known showcase for emerging bands is a venue for unveiling the latest innovations in the North music industry.
There will be an opportunity to work on the promotion of the creative industries in the Highlands and Islands as well as acting as a liaison for a new creative office project and being a scout for new creative talent. The two new businesses will get access to a range of key industry figures - locally, nationally and internationally - who will be in a position to help the business develop as well as providing advice and mentoring.
Iain Hamilton, creative industries manager said: "Creative industries are extremely important to the Highlands and Islands, and that is why HIE is very keen to support the Indiepreneur programme. The industry is increasingly recognised as important for economic growth in a developed economy, bringing in highly skilled jobs.
This opportunity will help provide the successful participants with the knowledge they need to get their careers and businesses off to the very best of starts. HIE recognises the value that creative industries contribute to the area and these are real and serious businesses that need to be supported and developed. As the industry is worth a lot now, it will be worth a lot more in the future."
Applicants should apply by submitting a copy of their business plan and indication of availability to iain.hamilton[AT]hient.co.uk by October 16th 2006. The successful entries will be decided by a panel in the week of the 23rd October.