Call now open for CoSTAR National Lab’s “Advanced Production Technology” call

The CoSTAR National Lab is looking for innovative approaches to advanced production that improve efficiency and enhance workflowsโ€”helping create impactful, audience-facing experiences.

If youโ€™re a UK-based creative or technology-focused SME developing technical innovations for production pipelines, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Potential applications include:

  • Film and TV development
  • Animation and visual effects
  • Games and digital content creation
  • Live performance production
  • Emerging media and new technologies

Whatโ€™s on offer?

This R&D programme provides a generous support package, including:

  • Access to studio and AI compute facilities
  • World-class research expertise
  • Cash funding
  • Travel and residency stipend (subject to eligibility)

A total of ยฃ140,000 in cash funding is available to support 3โ€“5 projects, with up to ยฃ40,000 per project.

What are they looking for?

The Lab is keen to explore new workflows and production tools, including (but not limited to) innovations in:

  • 2D and 3D capture or asset production
  • Motion capture or motion extraction techniques
  • AI-powered production pipelines
  • Democratised production*
  • Converged production*

Further details are available in the call brief.
Application deadline: Monday 15 December 2025, 12:00 GMT
Full details and application: https://bit.ly/CSNL_Call2_APT

For information on other sources of funding and grants, read our regular Funding Roundup or sign up for our newsletter.

Costar national lab - advanced production call - funding for creative industries

Surrey firm named among UKโ€™s fastest-growing companies

Guildford-based technology firm Crowd Connected has been recognised as one of the UKโ€™s 50 fastest-growing private companies in the UK Fast Growth Index 2025. This prestigious ranking celebrates innovation and commercial success across the country.

Celebrating innovation in spatial intelligence

Crowd Connected specialises in real-time location systems (RTLS) and spatial intelligence. Its solutions make it possible to measure the use of physical spaces more easily. Sectors such as events, commercial real estate, healthcare and higher education make use of Crowd Connected’s software.

โ€œBeing named in the UK Fast Growth Index is testament to our commercial momentum and our mission to make physical spaces measurable, efficient, and intelligent,โ€ said James Cobb, Founder and CEO of Crowd Connected. โ€œRecognition like this reflects the UKโ€™s strength in location intelligence and smart-building technology.โ€

From events to smart buildings

The company initially gained traction in the events industry, providing real-time visitor navigation and behavioural analytics at exhibitions and conferences. Since then it has expanded into smart buildings and healthcare. Its technology enables indoor navigation, asset tracking, and occupancy analytics, helping organisations optimise people and resource management.

A broad picture of UK growth

The UK Fast Growth Index, founded by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, showcases the most dynamic and high-performing private businesses across seven UK regions. Jones-Evans said: โ€œThe [2025] Index highlights how innovative companies like Crowd Connected make a measurable impact on both regional economies and national productivity. These high-growth firms are proof that advanced digital technology continues to drive the UKโ€™s competitiveness.โ€

Explore the full list

Crowd Connected joins 49 other standout companies in the 2025 Fast Growth Index. Access the full list of the Top 50 fastest-growing companies via the official website: UK Fast Growth Index โ€“ Top 200

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