CoSTAR Emerge-AI Offers Support for Early-stage UK Creative Tech Firms

Three-month programme includes £5,000 stipend and mentorship

CoSTAR has opened applications for its Emerge-AI programme, delivered through the CoSTAR National Lab and backed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The offer sits within the CoSTAR AI for Creativity initiative and is aimed at supporting early growth stage businesses working at the intersection of technology and the creative industries.

Emerge-AI runs over three months and is designed to help participants move a prototype towards initial validation. It also supports companies to decide on a project pathway, refine their proposition and presentation, understand their market, test with potential customers and present early-stage concepts to members of the CoSTAR Network.

Participants receive a £5,000 stipend intended to cover early-stage business costs, alongside cloud credits to help accelerate product development. The package also includes tailored workshops, one-to-one mentorship from senior industry experts, facilitated user testing with target customers and access to research labs. Commercialisation support covers areas such as intellectual property, routes to market and approaches to securing finance, alongside a peer cohort format and a final pitch to CoSTAR Network members.

Applications are open to early-stage UK-based AI start-ups and SMEs, including pre-revenue and early-revenue businesses. Applicants must have a working proof of concept and demonstrate practical experience using AI as a core element of their product or solution. Eligible projects should focus on creative sector applications such as film, TV, gaming or live performance.

Applicants must be UK-registered businesses with at least two people, with the project team based in the UK and all activity delivered in the UK. They should also plan to exploit outcomes from or within the UK and be seeking business growth and investment or other financing within the next 12 months.