CREW, Creative Enterprise West, an initiative which supports the creative digital enterprise sector in the west of Ireland has developed a new programme to support creative digital entrepreneurs across their industries.
Called Crew Labs, the programme is aimed at early stage start-ups in the industry, in partnership with GMIT.
The programme will encompass those in digital industries, including TV, film, virtual production, games, animation, content development, digital arts, immersive technologies, digital design and creative technology.
The programme will be industry led, and the postgraduate certificate in creative entrepreneurship and enterprise development will be delivered remotely through the GTeic and Connected Hubs network to participants located across Ireland - with a focus on those entrepreneurs based in the western region and along the Atlantic economic corridor.
Commencing in January 2022, the course will be delivered over a four-month period, and is both knowledge and industry led with unique features, including mentors, hub accommodation and blended learning which will deliver pathways to assist creative ventures. It will include some online class sessions each week along with exclusive industry and networking activities and one to one mentoring.
Dr Paddy Tobin, CREW board member and head of school, design & creative arts at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, says this new innovative, incubation programme for creative digital entrepreneurs is a unique mix of blended learning, industry mentoring, peer-to-peer networking, and hub accommodation.
“This is an exciting time for the creative industries and here at GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus we’re working in partnership with CREW to develop what will be a centre of excellence incubation hub for creative industries in the west and this programme is another excellent step in achieving our goals for this growing sector”.
TG4 director general, Alan Esslemont says TG4 is pleased to partner with CREW on the Creative Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development programme which will offer mentorship and support to early-stage companies in the creative sector.
"TG4 encourages new talent and creative companies working through the Irish language to get involved, to grow and develop their business and to avail of the commissioning and co-production opportunities with TG4. Growing the creative economy in Ireland’s regions is a key part of TG4’s industry strategy and I congratulate CREW on this exciting new initiative.”
Key partners in the programme are Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, the Western Development Commission, and Galway Film Centre, along with TG4, Gréasán na Meán Media Skillnet, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office Galway, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bank of Ireland.
Commenting on the new CREW LAB Incubation Programme, Mark Christal, manager of regions and entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, says: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to see this collaboration between CREW and GMIT and the launch of the new pilot certificate programme. The programme draws on the unique creative traditions of the region and will provide early-stage companies in the creative digital and technology sector with the skills and insights necessary to develop their ideas and their business acumen as outlined in the Western Region Enterprise Plan.”
Western Development Commission’s, Gillian Buckley, said “The Western Region has a long tradition in creativity and this programme to support to support creative entrepreneurs in the region will build on this tradition and accelerate the success of this sector.”
Registration for the Certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development is now open.
For information and to register interest, visit www.crewdigital.ie and follow social media channels @CREWDigital1.
