Inspiral has won a competitive tender to manage a nationwide programme of business support on behalf of NESTA [National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts].  

The contract, which runs until June 2010, will see Inspiral provide mentoring and guidance to 38 creative businesses across the UK.

The businesses are part of NESTA’s Creative Pioneer Team, formerly the Creative Pioneer Programme, which was set up to help creative businesses take their ideas to market.

NESTA’s Creative Pioneer Team members were chosen through open competition and selection, an 11-month residential training course and a further competitive process.

Once selected, the 38 businesses were awarded a £35,000 grant to turn their business dreams into reality. Inspiral will now help the Creative Pioneer Team entrepreneurs to develop their businesses to the next stage.

“We chose Inspiral to manage our Creative Pioneer portfolio because of their proven track record of delivering specialist business support to the Creative and Digital Industries, their enthusiasm and complete professionalism,” says Jackie McKenzie, acting head of NESTA’s Creative Pioneer team.

“We are delighted to be working with NESTA on this project,” says Inspiral’s Managing Director Phil Shankland. “As the country’s leading supplier of specialist business support to the creative industries, we can make a real difference to the progress of the Creative Pioneer businesses."