The CREW initiative reached a new milestone on the 18th of May with the inaugural Creative Entrepreneurship and Enterprise development (CEED) Programme showcase. The incubation programme, the first of its kind for the region, aims to help creative digital professionals validate new ventures for commercial potential.
This year’s cohort featured participants from diverse backgrounds such as TV and film, visual effects production, publishing, design and fine art. Counties on the Western seaboard from Donegal to Kerry represented the majority of participants with 25% of the cohort are based in Gaeltacht regions. Access to digital hubs is a core part of the CEED programme as it facilitates networking and collaboration among the cohort and the wider community.
Over the course of 12 weeks, the CEED programme cohort learned about creative ideation, market research, customer discovery and venture building. The showcase gave them a platform to show what they learned in the programme, network with the wider ecosystem and refine their storytelling to communicate the value of their respective ventures. The event was delivered in two parts – the networking and pitch presentations.
The Showcase
The event was filled to capacity with representatives from higher education institutes, startups, Galway and industry present to view the pitches from the entrepreneurs and to network.
The Judges prize on the day was given to Aisling Kearney Burke with Mea Manu – a platform that provides corporations with wellness programmes and solutions cantered on creative activities. Aisling, based in Galway, is the CEO and founder of Paintclub and has a background in art and design.
Jennifer Davidson won the storytelling prize with her pitch for Scéal Creative Toolkit – a digital platform for Irish film and tv writers, giving them access to expert training and advice to help them upskill and develop their career paths. Jennifer is based in Mayo and is a screenwriter and the Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Ireland.
The sustainable impact prize was won by Peter Staunton for TVLive.ie – an innovative live streaming service that offers both ticketing and production in one place at no charge to the performing artist. Peter is a musician and producer based in Kerry.
The judges on the day were Caroline McDonagh from LEO Galway, local artist Finbar McHugh, and Head of Business Banking at Bank of Ireland, Galway, Brian Carey.
About CREW
CREW is a collaborative, not for profit company established by ATU (formally) GMIT, The Western Development Commission and Ardán (Galway Film Centre) with the mission to develop and support the creative industries sectors along the Atlantic Economic Corridor
Plans are also under way for the development of a Centre of Excellence providing enterprise and co-working space, on the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts & Media, Cluain Mhuire campus, Galway
