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Creative Fuse North East calls on creative, digital and tech firms to help shape region’s future

Creative Fuse North East, a project led by Newcastle University and including all 5 North East Universities, is moving forward with plans to unlock the potential of the creative, digital and tech sectors to boost the North East economy as a whole.

Running from June 2016 until October 2018, Creative Fuse is looking to enhance collaboration between firms and universities to better harness innovation and creativity in the region to achieve growth.

The project, which is jointly-funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council, Arts Council England and European Regional Development Fund, will identify opportunities for better collaboration and improved sector support.

The initiative will also explore how Superfused creative businesses can help other industries in the North East to become more innovative and competitive.

Jason Legget, Project Director for Creative Fuse North East, said: “There is a fantastic opportunity for the North East’s creative, digital and technology firms to work together alongside world leading research expertise within our Universities and help address some of the big issues impacting people in the region.

“If Creative Fuse North East can help organisations to be more creative, think differently and solve major challenges, who knows we may be able to export some of these major new innovations to the World.”

With creative and technology industries being recognised by the Government in the recent Industrial Strategy as strategically important, Mr Legget is urging firms to participate in what will be the region’s most comprehensive research study of the creative, digital and tech sector.

Jason added: “If people work in the sector or they know someone who does, they should take part in the survey, it can only take 20 minutes and it’s a brilliant opportunity to have their voice heard and it will directly impact on how the project engages with and supports the sector”

Firms can initially get involved in the study by partaking in the Creative Fuse North East Survey, which can be accessed here.

To get in touch in person, why not drop by a Creative Fuse CAKE Networking Event, exploring innovative collaborations with cake! Find out about the next event here.

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