digital & creative

Creative UK connects, supports and invests in creative people and businesses.  Believing in the power of creativity and the creative industries to change lives, it places creativity at the heart of the UK’s culture, economy and education system. Their goal is simple: to cultivate a world where creativity is championed, valued, and fundamentally nurtured.
Creative UK unites the creative industries and generates opportunities for innovation to thrive by investing in creative people and businesses.

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With a consistent track record of supporting the region’s digital, creative, and tech industry, The Silicon South Network has been steadfast in its mission to elevate businesses and individuals across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, and wider Dorset. Employing over 12,000 people in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area alone, the digital, creative, and tech sectors stand as a cornerstone of the regional economy. 

Silicon South’s initiatives encompass a range of projects, products, and services tailored to encourage growth and collaboration within the local digital, creative, and tech community. Regular social gatherings provide professionals with opportunities to connect and collaborate, while a bi-weekly newsletter keeps stakeholders updated on relevant local industry news, events, and opportunities. 

Engaging events bring together founders and industry leaders to exchange ideas and inspire growth, while informative panels on topics like AI adoption drive discussions that further industry advancements. Local Enterprise-funded workshops equip businesses with tools and knowledge to navigate evolving demands and bolster a culture of creativity and resilience. 

Silicon South’s free online network directory connects local businesses and freelancers, promoting resource-sharing and collaboration, while access to free mentorship from experienced professionals enhances personal and professional growth. Additionally, this network facilitates connections between students and graduates with internships, placements, and apprenticeships to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled talent entering the industry. 

Through these initiatives and more, Silicon South continues to champion the region’s digital, creative, and tech sector, contributing to economic growth, firing innovation, and boosting the community in meaningful and impactful ways. 

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Tech Nation is the leading growth platform for tech insights, connections, collaboration and talent, empowering ambitious founders and their teams with the access and knowledge they need from seed stage to success story.

Powered by the Founders Forum Group, our approach unites the tech ecosystem whilst placing founders from all corners of the UK and beyond at the forefront, amplifying their needs and challenges and empowering them to grow their businesses so they can positively transform our world.

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Tech Nation are running a high-impact, three month programme for ambitious founders and their leadership teams. 

The free programme consists of expert-led workshops for founders and their c-suite team, peer-to-peer support, and access to a vast network of successful entrepreneurs, corporates, policy makers and investors across the Tech Nation and Founders Forum ecosystems through 1-2-1 connections and curated events.

Focusing on the themes of People, Strategic growth, and Funding and Finance with a manageable time commitment spread across a c-suite team, Upscale ensures a comprehensive support system for rapid expansion and sustainable growth.

Visit Tech Nation's website to find out more about the programme. 

They help support, connect and showcase the tech sector across the South West - including Cornwall and the isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, and Gloucestershire. They offer a platform for members, the region’s technology sector, education, government, businesses and other organisations keen to engage with the sector and support its growth.

Tech South West are the only member organisation dedicated to supporting and working with the whole of the technology sector across the South West of England.

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You Are The Media (YATM) stands as a nurturing marketing learning community with a distinct mission: to empower business owners to independently promote themselves and their ventures, reducing reliance on intermediaries or third parties. Established in 2013, YATM is grounded in core values of creativity, independence, visibility, experimentation, co-learning, and community engagement. 

YATM achieves its objectives through various avenues, including membership to the YATM Club, participation in live events, collaborative efforts, specialised training sessions, and the dissemination of a weekly newsletter. Notably, the annual YATM Creator Day serves as a pivotal gathering, drawing individuals from across the UK to the Lighthouse in Poole. Here, participants engage in collaborative learning and collective work, all with the overarching aim of empowering businesses to seize control of their promotional efforts, directly attracting audiences, and assuming the role of media creators themselves. Through these initiatives, YATM creates an environment where individuals can develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate the modern marketing landscape autonomously, thereby nurturing a community of self-sufficient and empowered entrepreneurs. 

Visit You Are The Media's website