$100,000 creative enterprise award opens

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: QUT

What creative things would you do with a prize worth $100,000 tailored to the growth of your business?

Aspiring creative business owners in fields such as fashion, film and new media could find out, in a first-of-its-kind competition dreamed up by QUT's Creative Enterprise Australia for next month's creative3 international forum.

The competition, called creative3 Investment Marketplace, is Australia's first ever pitching session for aspiring creative businesses, which will see selected businesses test their ideas on a panel of industry experts.

QUT's Creative Enterprise Australia chief executive officer Anna Rooke said the competition would give potential creative entrepreneurs and innovative business start-ups the opportunity to showcase their ideas at the forum- and practice pitching their concepts.

"Securing investment is a major challenge for emerging creatives with only limited support and business development traditionally offered in this area," Ms Rooke said.

"Investment, along with enterprise and creativity, forms the platform upon which successful creative enterprises are built, and this powerful combination is the key focus of creative3."

creative3 investment marketplace is open to creative industry businesses in the areas of design (including designer fashion), film and television, interactive media, music and new media.

Businesses will be judged on concept and strategy, competitive market positioning, business viability and financials, and key management capabilities.

The prize will comprise in-kind support, services and cash, which QUT Creative Enterprise Australia is tailoring to the unique needs of a creative business.

"The prize package already includes financial, professional development and marketing support but we would welcome any other organisation interested in providing services and support to help the chosen creative business," Ms Rooke said.

"I urge all motivated and capable creative entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum criteria to apply.

"creative3 investment marketplace is open to incorporated creative companies in the relevant sectors which have a turnover of less than $500k and have a viable business concept which is close to or is already in the marketplace."

Businesses are asked to complete their application online at the following link here using the creativ3 Investment Marketplace.

Deadline: application form should be entered by Wednesday, 24 March and provide information in relation to their business concept and strategy, competitive market positioning, business viability and financials and key management capabilities.