Founders of small creative businesses are being urged to sign up to a new specialist “GrowthCamp” to help boost their chances of survival and growth.
Launching today, Thursday 23 April, the Re:Create GrowthCamp is a 12-week programme, combining expert-led sessions with dedicated one-to-one business mentorship from industry experts.
Designed exclusively for the creative industries by social enterprise, Creative United, the programme aims to bolster the smallest enterprises, as findings show one-in-ten “nano” businesses face closure each year.
The GrowthCamp builds on the successful outcomes of Creative United’s Re:Create programme. Run over four years and across three London boroughs, the programme delivered reported increases in income, skills and business confidence from more than 200 participants.
“Small creative founders have the odds stacked against them. Businesses often fail, not because of lack of talent or commitment, but lack of capacity and solid business skills,” says Creative United Chief Executive Mary-Alice Stack. “Having industry experts on hand to help them overcome the complexities of business management and move towards growth makes a huge difference. Through Re:Create GrowthCamp we’re building on our mission to support creative livelihoods, focusing on the smallest enterprises with the greatest challenges and regulatory burdens.”
Speaking of the impact of the Re:Create programme, production company owner, Fintan Maguire said: “I was really flying blind before this programme, but Stuart [business mentor] provided me with insights, a clear understanding and some very useful tools to help me get to grips with the company’s finances, understand where I currently stand and plan for the next year and future years.”
How it works
The first GrowthCamps will run for 12 weeks from June (cohort 1) and July (cohort 2), at an early adopter discounted rate of £500 +VAT. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a rolling basis through a registration process.
Once accepted onto the programme, each participant will be matched to an experienced business mentor, hand-picked for their track record, experience and understanding of the creative industries. Alongside the individual one-to-one support, they will join a supportive group of peers, learning through workshops in Central London and online.
Why “nano” businesses need support to unlock potential
The Re:Create GrowthCamp has been developed in response to a recent Creative United report into the challenges faced by “nano” businesses (between 1-4 employees).
Authored by small business expert and Creative United Chair, Susie Warran-Smith and Chief Executive Mary-Alice Stack, “Below the Radar: Unlocking the “nano” potential in the UK’s Creative Industries” set out new evidence on the scale, economic contribution and policy gaps faced by this vital part of the creative economy.
The report, published in March 2026, shows that nano businesses are structurally precarious and have a one-in-ten annual risk of closure, regardless of age. However, with targeted support and help to cross the “5-job line”, their chance of survival changes sharply – adding significant extra jobs and tax revenues.
Ready to take your creative business to the next level?
Join a select group of ambitious founders for a 12-week growth programme with creative industry experts, tailored to your needs. Starting Summer 2026. Register now or book a 15-minute discovery call with programme manager Heidi Warwick to see if it’s right for you.
Future plans
Based on the learning and development of the London-based Re:Create GrowthCamp, Creative United has ambitious plans to expand the programme beyond the capital and is actively looking for partners and sponsors to support this mission.
Please contact programme manager Heidi Warwick, heidi.warwick@creativeunited.org.uk, to discuss.
Images taken at past Re:Create events, courtesy of Creative United