Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards 2010

YOUNG CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS --- GET READY TO APPLY!!

YOUNG CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

Are you an entrepreneur who is promoting, managing or running a venture centred on a creative sector?

Are you aspiring to take that enterprise beyond Mexico, to gain foothold in the strong creative economy of UK and build relationships to promote your creative venture in the UK?

If so, the alliance between British Council and CONACULTA to present the Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Awards could be your ticket to a world of opportunities. These are the only awards that give recognition to creative entrepreneurship across the sectors of Design, Music, Fashion, Communication, Visual Arts, Screen, Interactive, Performing Arts and Publishing.

The creative industries are defined as those having their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.
Globally, creative industries are estimated to account for more than 7 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP)1. UK has pioneered in recognising their contribution to the economy and as a percentage of GDP the UK has the largest creative industries sector in the world2.

UK creativity is hugely influential across the world, with a reputation for innovation, edgy brilliance and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2008, it comprised an estimated 157,400 businesses and employed just less than two million people.

The Mexican economy also has a strong potential for growth by investing in creative enterprises. Despite such a strong potential, creative industries are not recognised for their contribution to the overall economy. There is a definite absence of opportunities that provide international exposure and learning for creative entrepreneurs in Mexico.

The YCE awards aim to change that!

British Council Mexico has teamed up with CONACULTA in order to support Mexican Creative Industries to boost their potential and not only contribute to the economy but also to recognise through this award the talent, perseverance, commitment and importance of young Mexican entrepreneurs.

The awards aim to reward creative entrepreneurs based in Mexico for their contribution to their respective sectors. The YCE award programme goes beyond simply recognising the achievements of these entrepreneurs by providing them a platform to begin a dialogue with their UK counterparts.

If you are a creative entrepreneur based in Mexico you have a chance to win a study tour of your respective industry in the UK. It allows you to learn, imbibe and grow through inputs from both your UK and international peers.
You also get to attend relevant trade events that helps widen your perspective.

Creative entrepreneurs from various sectors will get to interact with creative industry leaders in the UK and play an important role in increasing business opportunities between the UK and Mexico. They also get to participate in a relevant trade event that helps widen their horizon.

Connected with the Mexico YCE awards is the International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) programme, which celebrates young creative entrepreneurial talent at a global level.

The UK Young Creative Entrepreneurs (UKYCE) awards run parallel to the IYCE. These awards work towards sensitising the UK markets about the potential of emerging economies like Mexico. They help young creative entrepreneurs to use these opportunities in their own context.

Through an interconnected network, the awards aim to fix the spotlight firmly on young creative entrepreneurship. In the past, Mexico has been one of the spotlight countries and has hosted tours for UKYCE finalists across specific sectors.

If you are a Mexican creative entrepreneur who wants to be part of this exciting global network, apply today. All applicants become a part of the British Council’s Creative Entrepreneur Network.

Take the initiative – the next big idea can be yours!

To know more and apply for the awards visit www.britishcouncil.org.mx or check this site for updates.

The OPEN CALL BEGINS ON 1ST JULY UNTIL 13 AUGUST 2010 FOR THE AWARDS ON:

INTERACTIVE AND SCREEN (TV & FILM) AWARDS

1 World Bank Urban development needs creativity: How creative industries affect urban areas. Development Outreach, November 2003.
2 OECD Factbook 2007 - Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics, 2007.
3 Creative Industries Economic Estimates Statistical Bulletin 2010, DCMS