£425,000 funding secured to support creative and digital businesses in Nottinghamshire
Editorial Team
Posted On July 4, 2025
Create Growth N2 (CGN2) has been awarded an additional £425,000 in government funding to continue its business support activities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire during the 2025/26 period.
Create Growth N2 (CGN2) is a fully funded support programme for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It is designed specifically for the creative, digital, and creative technology (CreaTech) sectors. The scheme offers free access to expert advice, business development guidance, investment readiness support, and innovation strategy. Two distinct programme pathways are available: one focused on business growth through Nottingham Trent University, and the other on immersive technology via the University of Nottingham.
This new funding follows a previous year in which CGN2 supported 89 businesses and delivered nine specialist business cohorts. As a result, participating firms secured over £649,000 in further funding.
Councillor Linda Woodings, Nottingham City Council’s Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport, commented:
“This is great news for both the city and county and demonstrates that Government recognises the importance and strength of the creative and digital sector to our economy and the UK globally. Nottingham has always prided itself on our unique creativity and imagination and the further funding will help further build on this tradition by supporting and inspiring a new generation of innovators”
The funding aims to bolster the region’s creative and digital business network, which is viewed as a central contributor to economic activity in the area.
CGN2 is funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and delivered in partnership with the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Innovate UK, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and NBV Enterprise Solutions.
The support is available exclusively to eligible businesses based in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Participants will have access to free business development programmes throughout the year. The first programme for the 2025/26 cycle began in May, with more planned in the months ahead.
Business owners interested in taking part can visit www.creategrowthn2.co.uk to register their interest.
Image source: Map illustration generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using DALL·E, July 2025.
