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Selling paper stars from the boot of his Ford Sierra at music festivals was just the beginning of Andy Jupp’s business journey.

Fast forward 28 years and the self proclaimed market trader is embarking on the next phase of expanding his already international business.

Paper Starlights is one of 16 creative companies to recently complete cohort 2 of East Midlands Create Growth.

And Andy is now making the most of the fully-funded support, tailored specifically towards businesses in the creative industries.

“For me, the programme was brilliant,” he said.

“Yes there was an investment of time on my part but I went into it with a specific project in mind and that approach has helped me make the most of what’s on offer.”

And for companies that sign up for the £1.3m DCMS funded programme, there is a lot on offer.

Business owners are invited to a series of workshops delivered by business and industry professionals, have access to at least 4 hours of free support from a specifically selected mentor, the opportunity to complete a 12-hour investment readiness course as well as growing their peer network through allotted time with other delegates.

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ) is a champion for the programme, working with a network of partners in the city, county and region to promote the training scheme to creative businesses.

“I’ve never had any formal business training or education which is something that seems to be quite common among the creative business community.

“The programme has taught me the business language I’ve always lacked - I’ve been doing most of what we were taught to do, but I was just using different words for it.

“In that way I can see how it is helping me get my business investment ready.”

Andy is also absorbing all of the ongoing expertise on offer, while thinking about practical application of what he’s learning.

“I’m taking the time to apply everything to my project - and that means I am seeing results. As well as everything else it’s almost like business therapy with a really high quality therapist.

“My mentor has been brilliant and I’m meeting with people I’ve met through the course outside of the course to really get the most out of my new network.”

SMEs from across Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby and Derbyshire, Lincoln and Lincolnshire, and Rutland are currently completing cohorts 2 and 3 of the programme.

Those on the course range from marketing and design agencies, makers, architects, theatre companies and video producers

The aim of the programme, organised and led by the East Midlands Creative Consortium (EMC²), is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to move creative businesses to investment readiness.

EMC² aims to support 100 creative businesses across three years through four cohort groups. Cohort 2 is recruiting now and will offer a similar level of support to the first group.

Applications for cohorts 4 and 5 of the programme are open now - anyone interested in applying can .