Electric Airshows wins funding for creative growth
UK – Electric Airshows is pleased to announce its success in winning funding from The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) for ongoing innovation projects. The specialist provider of drone light show services to the UK’s outdoor events market, which launched last year, made its application for funding as part of the UK government’s ‘Create Growth’ programme.
Designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth, the Create Growth programme provides targeted support for SMEs in the creative industries in six appointed UK regions outside of London. Run by Innovate UK EDGE, part of UK Research and Innovation, it makes significant sums available for such projects. To be successful, eligible businesses must demonstrate both a clear growth opportunity and their proposed innovation which will address it.
Electric Airshows, founded by entertainment production industry veteran Chris Crockford, will use the funding to “develop an extension to its current drone light show system which puts the audience first and delivers an enhanced user experience to them at show time,” says Crockford.
The company has been developing additional technologies to complement drone light shows and allow the integration of the shows into existing event technology solutions. Drone light shows are becoming more prevalent as an alternative media form and Electric Airshows have been asked by multiple clients to provide more integration and a richer user experience.
“The funding sees us develop our technologies even further and converts the concepts of our patent portfolio into tangible technology,” says Crockford. “We believe this is the next step forward for immersive drone light shows and will significantly differentiate our product offerings.”
Commenting on Electric Airshows’ plans for growth, the assessors for the DCMS Create Growth Fund state, “The application clearly sets out the new and innovative element that is complementary to the current drone light show offerings.”
Tony Peck from Innovate UK EDGE says, “We are providing Electric Airshows with a full programme of support looking at their IP, its exploitation and support with fundraising for expansion. Drone light shows are a significant growth market and the timing of this award is perfect to drive the innovations of the company forward.”
Electric Airshows is now in a rapid phase of technology development, and whilst its plans remain a closely guarded secret for now, it aims to showcase the fruits of its innovation towards the end of the summer this year.
