How Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship Combine in Cardiff Startups

Cardiff, as the vibrant capital of Wales, has emerged as a dynamic hub for startups, particularly those at the intersection of creative industries and entrepreneurship. The city’s unique blend of cultural heritage, academic excellence, and supportive business ecosystem has fostered a thriving environment for innovative ventures. 

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Today we’re going to explore how Cardiff’s creative sectors—spanning media, film, television, design, arts, and digital innovation—are fuelling startup growth, driving economic impact, and positioning the city as a competitive player in the UK’s creative economy.

Let’s start at the beginning: 

Cardiff’s Creative Economy

Cardiff’s creative industries are a cornerstone of its economic and cultural identity. The sector employs over 15,000 people in the city and benefits from nearly 500,000 square feet of incubation space, making it one of the largest and most successful creative hubs outside London. Major broadcasters like BBC Cymru Wales, ITV, and S4C anchor the city’s media landscape, while facilities such as Roath Lock Studios (the UK’s largest drama studios), GloWorks, and Pinewood Studios’ Cardiff facility provide world-class infrastructure for film and television production. These assets attract both established companies and startups, creating a fertile ground for entrepreneurial ventures.

The Creative Cardiff network, established in 2015 by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy, plays a pivotal role in connecting creatives and entrepreneurs. With over 655 organisations and 2,424 individuals, the network fosters collaboration, shares resources, and promotes job opportunities. Its 2016 study revealed that creative businesses are concentrated in five key wards around Cardiff’s city centre and Cardiff Bay, highlighting the geographic clustering that drives innovation. This concentration facilitates knowledge exchange and partnerships, essential for startups navigating the competitive creative landscape.

Cardiff’s creative economy is further bolstered by its academic institutions. Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the University of South Wales produce a steady stream of talent, with over 7,000 students studying creative disciplines. These institutions collaborate with industry through research and innovation programs, equipping graduates with the skills to launch or join startups. For instance, Cardiff University’s involvement in Media Cymru (2022–2026) supports the development of the screen sector, driving technological advancements that benefit local ventures.

The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Cardiff

Cardiff’s startup scene has seen remarkable growth, with a 64% increase in startup activity between 2007 and 2017, far surpassing the Welsh average of 22%. In 2014 alone, 6,327 businesses were registered in the city, earning Cardiff a spot among the UK’s top 20 entrepreneurial hotspots. The city’s affordability, with average house prices in 2016 at £191,582 (compared to £231,103 in Edinburgh), makes it an attractive base for founders. Additionally, 43.5% of Cardiff’s working-age population holds NVQ Level 4 qualifications or above, providing a highly skilled workforce for startups.

Government support has been instrumental in this growth. The Welsh Government’s Development Bank of Wales offers loans and equity packages from £50,000 to £2 million, while the Wales Business Fund and Wales Technology Seed Fund target tech-focused startups. The £1.28 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, agreed in 2016, invests in infrastructure, connectivity, and business governance, projecting a 5% increase in regional gross value added (GVA). Organisations like Cardiff Start, Wales’s largest startup community, empower entrepreneurs through events, mentorship, and resources, while accelerators like NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator and Barclays Eagle Lab provide fully funded programs to scale businesses.

Collaborative workspaces, such as Meanwhile House Cardiff, Tramshed Tech, and Rabble Studio, support over 247 businesses and 550 individuals across Wales. These spaces offer affordable, flexible environments where creative and tech startups can collaborate, prototype, and grow. The Cardiff Convention Bureau further assists startups by providing free event planning and marketing support, enabling founders to launch their ventures with impact.

Creative Industries Fueling Cardiff Startups

The intersection of creative industries and entrepreneurship in Cardiff is evident in several key sectors:

1. Film and Television Production

Cardiff’s screen sector is a global powerhouse, driven by companies like Bad Wolf, an independent TV drama production company founded in 2015 by former BBC executives Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner. Bad Wolf’s productions, including His Dark Materials and A Discovery of Witches, have achieved critical acclaim and significant economic impact. Between 2016 and 2018, Bad Wolf recorded a staggering 1716.4% growth, with turnover rising from £284,078 to £5.15 million. The company’s Wolf Studio Wales in Cardiff Bay has revolutionised the UK’s TV industry, attracting A-list talent and creating jobs across the supply chain.

Startups in this space benefit from Cardiff’s infrastructure and training programs. Screen Alliance Wales, in partnership with Bad Wolf, offers entry-level opportunities for young creatives, while the Creative Industries Clusters programme, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), supports innovation in film and high-end TV. Cardiff’s selection as one of nine UK creative clusters in 2019, with significant research funding, underscores its leadership in this field.

2. Digital and Tech Innovation

Cardiff’s digital sector is one of the UK’s fastest-growing, with digital technology businesses generating £641 million in turnover in 2017. Startups like Amplyfi, a Cardiff-based AI-driven data analytics firm, exemplify this trend. Its DataVoyant platform provides market insights and competitor analysis, serving global clients and positioning Amplyfi as a leader in AI-powered analytics. Similarly, Stofl, a blockchain-focused startup, collaborates with corporate and governmental entities to address real-world challenges, leveraging Cardiff’s tech-friendly environment.

The city’s high level of digital connectivity and infrastructure, as noted by Invest Cardiff, supports these ventures. Collaborative initiatives like Tech Wales and Cyber Wales connect startups with public sector bodies and universities, promoting Wales’s technology sector on a global stage. The Cardiff Capital Region’s tech clusters, such as the National Cyber Security Academy, further enhance opportunities for digital startups.

3. Arts and Crafts

Cardiff’s arts and crafts scene is thriving, with organisations like the Wales Maker’s Guild promoting local talent through workshops, exhibitions, and events. The guild, based in Cardiff Bay, supports artisans with entrepreneurial ambitions, helping them turn creative skills into sustainable businesses. Creative Cardiff’s initiatives, such as commissioning eight regional artists in 2023 to design posters for city-wide display, enhance visibility and economic opportunities for local creatives.

The Creative Industries Cluster Hubs (CICH) project, trialed in Newport, Monmouthshire, and Rhondda Cynon Taf from July 2023 to March 2024, demonstrates Cardiff’s commitment to regional creative growth. The project engaged over 1,000 artists, delivered 41 public events, and generated 15 new jobs and up to £230,000 in revenue. Initiatives like these provide platforms for arts-based startups to scale and collaborate.

4. Fintech and Creative Crossovers

Cardiff’s fintech sector, while traditionally separate from creative industries, increasingly intersects with digital creativity. Wealthify, a robo-investment platform co-founded by Dr. Richard Theo and Michelle Pearce, uses algorithms and creative UX design to make investing accessible to a broad audience. With portfolios outperforming benchmarks between 2016 and 2017, Wealthify has attracted significant investment, including a £1 million crowdfunding round. Such startups highlight how creative design and technology converge to create user-centric solutions.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its successes, Cardiff’s creative startup ecosystem faces challenges. The non-scripted production sector, as noted by industry veteran Richard Moss of Gorilla Productions, was hit hard by COVID-19, requiring more balanced support for incumbent companies. Additionally, securing UK-wide and international commissions remains a hurdle, with local firms needing a stronger voice in the competitive commissioning process. Transport and access issues in the broader Cardiff Capital Region also pose barriers to regional collaboration.

However, opportunities abound. The Welsh Government’s focus on sustainability aligns with startups like Stofl, which prioritise sustainable technology adoption. Cardiff’s diverse and youthful population, with over 70,000 students, offers a rich talent pool for creative ventures. Programs like Creative Cardiff’s “Creative Cuppa” networking events and “Creative Cardiff Classroom” workshops foster inclusivity and skill development, ensuring startups can tap into diverse communities.

The Creative Industries Clusters programme, backed by at least £50 million from the AHRC, will continue to fund regional hubs, with Cardiff’s Clwstwr program driving innovation in media and screen. The city’s hosting of the 2019 Creative Cities Convention and the development of a new media hub in Central Square signal its growing global reputation. These initiatives, combined with Cardiff’s quality of life—consistently ranked among Europe’s best—make it an ideal location for creative entrepreneurs.

As we’ve hopefully covered, Cardiff’s creative industries are a driving force behind its startup boom, blending artistic innovation with entrepreneurial ambition. The city’s robust infrastructure, supportive policies, and vibrant community networks create an environment where startups can thrive. From global TV productions to AI-driven analytics and grassroots arts, Cardiff’s creative startups are redefining the city’s economic and cultural landscape. As the sector continues to grow, supported by initiatives like Creative Cardiff and the Creative Industries Clusters programme, Cardiff is poised to become a leading creative capital, not just in the UK but on the global stage. For entrepreneurs, Cardiff offers a unique opportunity to harness creativity, collaborate with like-minded innovators, and build ventures that resonate far beyond the city’s borders.

References:

• Creative Cardiff: creativecardiff.org.uk
• Meanwhile Creative: meanwhilecreative.co.uk
• Business Live: business-live.co.uk
• Invest Cardiff: investincardiff.com
• Cardiff University: cardiff.ac.uk
• TechRound: techround.co.uk
• Cardiff Capital Region: cardiffcapitalregion.wales
• Wales Online: walesonline.co.uk
• GOV.UK: gov.uk