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Impact Report.October 2026 Connect Ideas, Shape Innovation.
Contents. Foreword Background Timeline Outputs Learnings Case Studies Partners Launchpad Impact Connectivity What’s Next
CWX demonstrates the power of bringing people, ideas and sectors together around a shared ambition to significantly impact and catalyse a thriving and growing cluster. It’s exciting to see convergence happen in real time - between creative businesses, technology experts, industry, universities and local authorities joining forces to create new opportunities that would not have existed before. CWX helps to connect and amplify existing strengths across the region whilst activating spaces such as 1 Mill Street and The Fold in Leamington Spa, Shire Hall in Warwick, Delia Derbyshire Building and Fusion in Coventry. The next chapter is about building on this momentum. Working from its strong foundations, CWX is positioned to continue driving forward creative convergence in new and exciting ways. Watch this space! Clare Green, CWX Principal Investigator Foreword.Foreword.
Launched in June 2024, the Coventry and Warwickshire Exchange (CWX) was established as a dedicated cluster management organisation to unify the region's world-class but previously fragmented creative and immersive technology sectors. CWX was funded through Innovate UK’s £7.5 million Launchpad investment, a strategic initiative aligned with the UK’s Levelling Up mission. This national programme focuses on unlocking regional research and innovation capability to boost productivity, pay, jobs, and living standards. Coventry and Warwickshire was specifically targeted due to its status as a national "Creative Hotspot”. The region boasts a dense ecosystem of over 7,000 creative businesses, 80 game studios, and approximately 44,000 skilled practitioners working across games development, VR, AR, film, and TV. CWX is led by the University of Warwick and Coventry University. It is further supported by key strategic partners Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Two years on, CWX has successfully positioned itself as a regional hub for innovation and a gateway for the creative industries. By connecting visionary talent with essential resources and partnerships, it continues to empower creators and pioneers to scale their groundbreaking ideas on both national and international stages. Background.Background.
CWX Award Confirmed and programme commences.June.First tailored sector event ‘Access to Finance and Investment’. February.Tailored sector event ‘Money Matters’. November.CWX attends the launch of the upcoming CreaTech Frontiers programme [AHRC funded]. April. June.Phase 1 of CWX concludes. Share project impacts & work with partners on future planning. May.Official launch of the CWX brand, website and online channels. Network launch event.Regular ‘Awardee Forum’ event programme commences. January.Second annual ‘CWX Expo’. April. July. November.First annual ‘CWX Expo’ event.Tailored sector event dedicated to the potential of ‘Artificial Intelligence’. 2024. 2025. 2026.Timeline.Timeline.Warwickshire Digital Creative Growth Plan LaunchPast Event2023.Innovate UK Launchpad Fund opens2023. CWX has been built on years of strategic triple helix partnership working and sector development, providing an independent platform to connect businesses, spark collaborations and drive growth across the region.
Outputs.
334Newsletter Subscribers 1296Unique Visitors Branding. In November 2024, CWX launched its digital presence across a dedicated website, newsletter and social media channels. These online resources provide a gateway through which local businesses can access resources and industry support. Alongside news and announcements, these platforms have connected businesses to 19 showcase opportunities and the opportunity to attend 13 CWX events. 11 businesses applied for dedicated funding calls advertised on through the gateway. In addition, the work of 12 local createch businesses has been shared through a series of case studies. Collectively CWX communications platforms helped facilitate the building of a more connected ecosystem for the immersive and creative technology sector.Outputs. Online Presence. Local creative agency PO’Sh were commissioned to design a vibrant and inviting visual identity for CWX. Utilised online, across marketing materials and events, the visuals created a bold and cohesive identity for CWX that received a positive reaction from local businesses. 68funding calls shared
334Newsletter Subscribers 1296Unique Visitors In November 2024, CWX launched its digital presence across a dedicated website, newsletter and social media channels. These online resources provide a gateway through which local businesses can access resources and industry support. Alongside news and announcements, these platforms have connected businesses to 19 different showcase or exhibition opportunties and 13 CWX events to attend. 11 businesses applied for dedicated funding calls advertised on through the gateway and the work of 12 local createch businesses has been shared through a series of Case Studies. Collectively CWX communications platforms helped facilitate the building of a more connected ecosystem for the immersive and creative technology sector.Outputs. Online Presence. Local creative agency PO’Sh were commissioned to design a vibrant and inviting visual identity for CWX. Utilised online, across marketing materials and events, the visuals created a bold and cohesive identity for CWX that received a positive reaction from local businesses. 68funding calls shared Branding.
“CWX has been really useful for me in my own business but also for knowledge sharing with my clients.” Freelancer Amy Dalton-Hardy on Money MattersOutputs.
Regional Showcasing.Community Building. Spotlight Subjects. Major Events. Network Launch Event 70+ Stakeholders CWX Expo 2025 80 Attendees 40 Businesses showcased CWX Expo 2026 100 Attendees 21 Businesses showcased 60+Businesses Showcased Event Programme.Outputs. Since its launch, CWX has delivered a dynamic programme of events to help connect, support, and showcase the region’s creative and immersive technology sectors. These events have ranged from large- scale flagship activities such as the annual CWX Expo, which featured innovative businesses across 31 sectors*, to regular focused Awardee Forums providing peer networking and support for grant recipients. In addition to these regular events, CWX has hosted events on targeted industry themes such as Access to Finance, Artificial Intelligence, and Money Matters. 454Event Attendees Flagship programme events bringing together major stakeholders, business showcase opportunities, talks and industry networking. Major Events.80%of exhibitors made promising new business leads*sectors self-identified by companies and exhibitors.
Regional Showcasing. Community Building.Outputs. Subject Spotlights. Regular community-focused events designed to foster community building, collaborations and knowledge sharing. Five Awardee Forums were hosted with a hybrid mix of in-person and online to ensure greater accessibility. Deep-dive events on subjects identified as high priority or challenges for businesses in the createch sector. Events responsive to community requests hosted included... Money Matters Artificial Intelligence for the Creative Industries Access to Finance Good Grant Guide Workshop Future Forward100+New business connections & referrals made 45+business showcase opportunities A roadshow taking the CWX support team and brand to key events, festivals and expos. Events attended included; Birmingham Tech Week – a major regional technology festival bringing together West Midlands innovators. Spark – a regional arts and creative industries event. SXSW London – major international festival showcasing creativity, technology, music and innovation. Venturefest – an investment event connecting ambitious, innovative businesses with investors and experts.
“I would say I am an ambassador for CWX. I think it’s a brilliant organisation and it really brings to life the createch community in the area” Rob Harrison, GluedLearnings.
Operational & Business Support The CWX team provides strong leadership for Innovate UK Launchpad funded firms, fully allocated all available grants, and created a ‘gateway’ for regional sector support and intelligence. Brand & Ecosystem Growth With its vibrant brand, CWX has significant regional traction, delivering engaging events that enhance the cluster's critical mass and successfully champion cross-sector connections. Leadership & Connectivity Through a unique university-led partnership, CWX bridges the gap between academia and industry while co-creating support and activity with local authority leadership across Coventry and Warwickshire. Strategic & Policy Impact CWX is a vital regional cluster management organisation working directly with industry and guided by its Cluster Management Group which is recognised as a key asset in national and regional industrial strategy plans. *examples of which are the sector-specific website, event frameworks, industry directory, newsletter and social media channels.Learnings.Learnings. Successes.16Industry Network Assets developed*
Learnings.Challenges. National Strategy & Influence CWX has the opportunity to influence Innovate UK and a range of other funding bodies on future approaches to sector funding and establish a long-term vision for the Launchpad and Cluster Management Organisation (CMO) models to ensure regional progress is not lost. Regional & Cross-Sector Expansion Moving forward, CWX can ensure a wider geographic spread of activity and strengthen its position as a permanent industry engagement vehicle for cross-sector innovation whilst developing strategic links with national bodies like Digital Catapult and other Launchpad CMOs. Maximising Partnerships There is significant potential to maximise connections established through Launchpad, strengthen collaborations and partnerships emerging through programmes such as Createch Frontiers and WM CISL, the Local Innovation Partnership Fund, programme focussed on creative technology. Intelligence-Driven Visibility CWX can leverage its role in gathering sector data as a unique selling point to drive PR, showcase regional tech innovation, and develop its own bespoke Industry Challenge programmes. Future Opportunities. Building a Sustainable Delivery Model Established on a lean delivery model, CWX needed to combine core Innovate UK funding with significant in-kind contributions from partners. This collaborative approach showed strength of the regional partnership, while highlighting the importance of increased investment to support growth. Connecting Businesses and Strengthening the Ecosystem The timing of Launchpad grant activity meant some businesses had already received innovation funding before cluster support was available. Working at pace, CWX focused on engaging these businesses, building relationships with and beyond these businesses into the cluster, supporting activity and a recognised identity while navigating the complexities of starting a new organisation. Strengthening Business Connectivity and Data Sharing Effective cluster development relies on strong business intelligence and connectivity. CWX identified, engaged and supported cluster businesses, while recognising the need to improve data sharing and coordination between regional and national bodies.
Case Studies
Case StudiesCase Study. Hollywood Gaming. Hollywood Gaming are a creative technology company based in Warwickshire. Since being founded in 2005, they’ve forged an extensive portfolio developing games for major entertainment brands including EA, Hasbro, Sega and Paramount Pictures. As technology and audiences have evolved, so too have Hollywood Gaming and their work and expertise now incorporates immersive technologies including XR, AR and emerging multi-sensory tech. The team successfuly secured two rounds of Launchpad funding and a partnership with a local NHS Trust.£130kLaunchpad Round 2 FundingWinnerCWX Collaboration in Action Award Hollywood Gaming’s Launchpad backed project aims to revolutionise routes for young people to access mental health care. Harnessing their experience with game design and immersive technology they developed new modular screening platforms using play and AR. This tool allows children to communicate their feelings by interacting with virtual characters. Launchpad funding has acted as a catalyst, allowing the company to develop a minimum viable product and secure follow-on funding to navigate the complex Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency pathways. Through showcasing their work at CWX events, Hollywood Gaming met and developed a brand new partnership with local marketing agency Glued. This partnership has since led to the development of a new VR training simulation. Their collaboration was recognised at the 2026 CWX Expo, where Hollywood Gaming and Glued received the ‘CWX Collaboration in Action Award’ for the innovative VR solution they developed together. Clinical trials are now planned for Autumn 2026, with Hollywood Gaming looking to bring the project and their expertise to new NHS trusts nationwide.
Case StudiesCase Study. Fish in a Bottle. A digital production and games studio with over 20 years’ experience working alongside clients that have included the BBC, Nickelodeon and the Science Museum Group. Launchpad funding enabled Fish in a Bottle to evolve beyond a primarily ‘work for hire’ business model and begin developing its own intellectual property.£659kLaunchpad Round 2 Funding In collaboration with University College London, the studio advanced Navigo, a gaming app designed to improve literacy skills for primary school children and those needing support with literacy skills. The funding allowed the team to integrate emerging AI-assisted technology into the game platform and has supported significant international market research. The project’s impact has been significant, empowering the studio to grow its team, diversify revenue, and showcase their expertise as creative project leads. Fish in a Bottle is now finalising a robust pilot for school testing and exploring international partnerships for further expansion. Beyond the grant award funding Fish in a Bottle were active members for the CWX’s Cluster Management Group as they are long- standing advocates for the region’s createch and gaming cluster and the importance of networks such as CWX. In particular they value the willingness of that community to collaborate, share knowledge and provide support.“...everybody wants everyone to succeed, don't they. And even if there is a competitive element, it still feels like you want people to do well, that's what I have got a real sense of” Laura Seymour on the CWX cluster
Case StudiesCase Study. Motionhouse. Based in Leamington Spa, Motionhouse is an internationally acclaimed dance and circus company that tours multidisciplinary shows globally. Their productions embrace the dynamic interaction between dancers and bespoke sets, creating original music and custom environments for every show. The choice to explore the integration of immersive digital elements into their shows felt like a natural evolution of their work.£49kNew Innovators Fund A grant from the New Innovators Fund allowed the company to undertake a four-month R&D project focused on integrating digital technology into their live performances. The project culminated in the multimedia production Hidden, which premiered at the Warwick Arts Centre in February 2025. Hidden incorporates digital technology to facilitate interaction between dancers and large scale moving set pieces. The show uses synchronised visuals across 17 different surfaces. This allows the stage to dynamically morph live, providing the audience with a ‘narrative landmark’ that centres the performance’s storytelling. Launchpad funding provided Motionhouse with the resources to expand their artistic practice, their skills and the scope of their work. These developments have received positive audience feedback and assisted Motionhouse in accessing new international markets which will help the company maintain a prominent role in the delivery of multimedia live performances both in the UK and internationally.
Much of CWX’s success is built on genuinely collaborative partnership, with the University of Warwick leading the programme providing strategic direction alongside Coventry University as valued co-lead and co-creator. Warwickshire County Council, as Strategic Launchpad Partner, brings invaluable experience in sector development, while Coventry City Council has embedded CWX within its strategic priorities and the West Midlands Combined Authority connects the cluster into regional and national activity. This has been further strengthened by industry leaders, including Common Story and Fish in a Bottle through the Cluster Management Group, alongside the ongoing guidance and advocacy of Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation’s regional teams and monitoring officers. Partners.Partners.
. The Coventry and Warwickshire Creative and Immersive Launchpad provided a nationally significant opportunity to accelerate innovation, strengthen the region’s creative technology ecosystem and build on a decade of sector leadership, partnership and collaboration. Strategic Partners Warwickshire County Council secured up to £7.5m of Innovate UK investment to support innovation projects that demonstrated economic benefit for Coventry and Warwickshire. The Launchpad programme demonstrated strong business demand and engagement, with 236 businesses engaged through the Launchpad funding activity, including 148 applicants and 49 successful innovation projects. CWX played a key role in supporting businesses to navigate opportunities, access networks and connect into wider regional support. Beyond the directly funded activity, the wider ecosystem impact has been significant with businesses supported by CWX accessing more than 18 regional support programmes. Furthermore, 59% of businesses engaged through the Launchpad application process accessed additional support. This has contributed to over £2.2m of finance being leveraged into businesses through a combination of grant funding and private investment, alongside supporting ambitious businesses into high- growth programmes and investment pathways. The Launchpad strengthened Coventry and Warwickshire’s position as a nationally recognised creative and immersive tech cluster, building on existing sector strengths and partnerships to enable continued regional economic growth, collaboration and future investment. Launchpad Impact.Launchpad Impact.£2.2mof finance leveraged into businesses
“Without Launchpad funding, we would not have been able to undertake this level of innovation, grow our team or collaborate with technology experts from new sectors. The programme has created opportunities that will have a lasting impact on the future of our business.” Eamon Sullivan, BOXRAWLaunchpad Impact.
By aligning cluster management with business growth services across Coventry and Warwickshire, CWX strengthens connectivity. Businesses benefit from coordinated referrals and shared intelligence which makes for clearer pathways into specialist programmes, investment opportunities and long-term business support.Connectivity Connectivity. One of CWX's greatest strengths is its ability to join up and signpost to relevant support for a wide range of businesses. This has formed a model for future cluster development.CWX 17.5 Business Ready 15.7 Creative Futures 13.9 Mill Street 9.9 Growth WM 5.8 Digital & Creative Grant 5.8 WCC UKSPF 5.8 GAIN 5.4 M. Growth 4 BEAS 4 A2F 3.1 Space 2.259%LP businesses gained additional support
Strategy & Future Direction Building on the success of Launchpad, partners have worked to develop a shared vision for the future of CWX through a series of facilitated workshops led by PO’Sh. This collaborative process has informed a long-term strategy and a sustainable delivery model, ensuring CWX and partners continue to respond to business needs across the region. Growing the CWX Platform The gateway will continue to evolve as the region's front door for any business using creative & immersive technologies in innovative and meaningful ways. Future investment would enable CWX to deepen engagement across the region, strengthen cross-sector collaboration activity and signpost opportunities to those interested in creative technologies for health, advanced manufacturing, education and AI. Building on the Momentum With an established network, industry intelligence and strong strategic partnerships, CWX is well positioned to support future place-based programmes and creative industries initiatives, including activity aligned with the West Midlands Local Innovation Partnership Fund. CWX can continue to identify high-growth potential businesses, convene industry forums, showcase the region’s strengths and bring a wide range of sectors together to unlock new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and investment.What’s Next. What’s Next.30+sectors represented in CWX network
all those who made this possible With thanks to... Miriam Beresford University of Warwick Clare Green Joe Wallace Dave Hollis Rachel Davis Michael Swann Coventry University Nick Henry Rachel Farrer Paul Fairburn Lisa Wilson Warwickshire County Council Stacy O’Connor Simeon Lee Rob Dyer Coventry City Council David Hope Salla Virman West Midlands Combined Authority Iain Mansell Hayley Pepler PO’Sh Creative Nicola O’Shaughnessy Jan Patalong Elly Lee Hannah Dunkley Good Afternoon Marie Foulston Common Story Beth Newell Dom Sant Fish in a Bottle Drew Wilkins Laura Seymour Innovate UK Mervyn Lewin Nazia Iqbal Rick Holland Bruce McLellandOrganisation shown reflects their role during the their time with CWX. Some individuals have since moved to new roles or organisations.