Indielab Returns for Second Outing

LONDON: Indielab, a program set up to bolster the independent production sector in the U.K., is returning in 2017, offering up specialist training from 50-plus industry leaders.

The business growth program was founded in 2015 by Victoria Powell and aims to equip indies with “knowledge, skills, networks and investment they need to scale their businesses, take advantage of opportunities in the market and to achieve their full potential.”

Fifteen small and start-up production outfits can receive specialist training and the opportunity to pitch for investments. Over four months they will be able to participate in workshops, lectures, panel discussions, networking sessions and one-on-one events. The training culminates in an investment pitching session. To be eligible, the indies must be founded and registered in the U.K. and generate less than £5 million in revenues. They must have at least two or three broadcast credits within the last three years and be 80 percent independently owned.

Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, said, “The success of Indielab’s inaugural program has demonstrated the huge appetite there is for growth among the U.K.’s budding TV production companies. One in six jobs is generated through London’s creative economies, which is worth £70 billion to the U.K., so it is incredibly important that independent companies get support like this to develop their skillsets and networks, enabling them to flourish and add to our city’s status as a world-leader for business and creativity. The Indielab business growth program shows that London remains open, entrepreneurial, international and full of possibility.”

Powell added, “We are delighted to be returning and cementing Indielab as an annual accelerator program for the independent TV sector. The first program was a huge success and we are so proud of the impact the program has had on our first cohort, who very much remain part of the Indielab family. We are thrilled that London’s new Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has agreed to back the program again. His support, alongside that of our corporate sponsors, ensures we are able to offer places to companies from London and across the U.K., in an attempt to address the funding gap for U.K. indies and support those that wish to scale their businesses. Once again, we’re looking for applications from across the TV sector; from factual, to digital and scripted, and look forward to welcoming the next cohort on board.”