Final Reminder to apply for Atelier100’s creative fund (1k-10k) Deadline: Monday 10 April

If you’re a London-based designer or maker and have an idea for the perfect product or fashion concept, Atelier100 is offering funding of up to £10,000 to help bring your idea to life!

With the current cost of living crisis, it seems as though now more than ever, it’s financially harder to kickstart your creative career. For some, launching a new small business might seem impossible. Thankfully, after a triumphant pilot last year, the Atelier100 (Opens in a new window) programme is here to help and is looking to provide London-based designers and makers with the tools to actualise their ideas. Last year’s first edition saw 13 creatives spanning multiple disciplines benefit from the programme. But hurry, the deadline to apply for this year’s edition is Monday 10 April at 23:59, to be specific, and it’s not one to be missed!

But what will I get?

Successful applicants will see their creative’s material and manufacturing costs (from £1,000 to £10,000) covered, as well as providing essential expert commercial guidance from industry experts. Ateilier100 will also offer insights from successful makers, and arrange a programme of visits to workshops, factories, and studios across the capital to help build successful applicant’s production networks. Inspiring local-production, the programme hopes to offer creatives a deep understanding of London’s incredible manufacturing capabilities. Atelier100 Collection02 will also go on sale in autumn 2023.

Am I eligible?

Any London-based product or fashion designer with an idea they want to bring to manufacture is invited to apply to be part of Atelier100 2023. They might be aspiring makers on the cusp of their careers, established designers looking to try their hands at something new, or even manufacturing professionals with an idea they’re keen to bring to life – the only requirement is that you’re over 18, live or work in London, and have some experience of bringing a physical product into being (even if it is in a different field), and can get a batch of your proposed product made within four months. 

The product can be something for the home or an item of fashion; the only restrictions are that it has to be an original design, capable of being made locally for less than £150 per unit, and is small and lightweight enough to be carried on public transport. For example, last year’s recipients created products that ranged from 3D-printed doorstops and London-brick candle holders, a deadstock knitwear collection and a laser-cut capsule wardrobe.

The funding is available for (but not limited to) product designers, fashion designers, furniture makers, sculptors, glass blowers, graphic designers, potters, carpenters, jewellery, designers, ceramists, textile designers, weavers, architects, artists, illustrators and knitwear designers.

Eligible applications will be put to a panel of product experts who will assess product ideas on the basis of six criteria: local relevance, affordability, appeal, newness, feasibility, and sustainability.

Selected applicants will be notified in May, and will have four months to plan, prototype and produce their design in time for launch in autumn 2023 with support from industry experts.

Application deadline is this Monday, the 10th of April.

Find out more and apply via atelier100.com (Opens in a new window). Know someone who ticks all the boxes? This newsletter is not behind our usual paywall, so why not share this opportunity with them?

Looking to spotlight your opportunity to our Learner Platform subscribers? Email tori@bricksmagazine.co.uk (Opens in a new window) for advertising packages.