#costar
CoSTAR Ideate: Growth Lab and Residency Opportunity for Scottish Creative Tech Companies
The CoSTAR Enterprise and Commercialisation team has launched a call for applications for its CoSTAR Ideate programme, offering a unique opportunity for early-growth businesses to scale their intellectual property (IP).
This programme, delivered through the national CoSTAR Network, provides access to cutting-edge facilities, creative and technological expertise, and world-leading research, tailored to the specific growth stages of creative enterprises. Notably, the programme takes no equity, and there are no application fees.
What’s on Offer?
- Five-Month Residency: 24 enterprises will be selected for a five-month residency, with six participants in each of the four CoSTAR Labs: National Lab, Realtime Lab, Screen Lab, and Live Lab.
- Technical Support and Resources: Access to technical support and resources at CoSTAR lab facilities, designed to bridge gaps in IP and company development.
- 1-2-1 Mentorship: Bespoke business growth, IP development, and inclusive and sustainable innovation mentorship from UK sector experts.
- Co-location Services: Dedicated desk and lab space for participants.
- And More: Further benefits are detailed on the application links.
Who Should Apply?
The CoSTAR Ideate programme is aimed at micro, start-up, and early-growth companies looking to scale new IP in the creative technology sector. This is a fantastic chance for game developers and related companies to accelerate their growth and gain access to invaluable resources and expertise.
How to Apply:
- Applications close on Monday, March 24th, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
- Apply here.
- Learn more about CoSTAR Enterprise & Commercialisation.
Information Sessions:
To learn more about the programme, attend one of the information sessions:
- Ideate Information Session 1 (Realtime Lab, Screen Lab, and CodeBase) – Wednesday, March 5th.
- Ideate Information Session 2 (National Lab, Live Lab, & CodeBase) – Wednesday, March 12th.
This is a significant opportunity for Scottish creative technology companies to access resources and support that can propel their growth. Don’t miss out!
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CoSTAR: Scotland’s Virtual Production Studios Poised to Transform Games and Screen Industries
Scotland’s creative industries are set for a major boost with the launch of CoSTAR – a new £9 million virtual production studio, designed to drive research, innovation, and economic growth in screen, games, immersive, and performance sectors.
Abertay University officially opened the CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Water’s Edge in Dundee on Tuesday, marking the start of a significant infrastructure initiative to strengthen Scotland’s screen industries. This state-of-the-art programme, part of the UK-wide CoSTAR Network, is backed by a £75.6 million grant from UKRI’s Infrastructure Fund, administered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
A New Era of Industry and Academic Collaboration
The CoSTAR Realtime Lab, led by Abertay University in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, CodeBase, Interface, and Chroma Developments, offers advanced research and development (R&D) facilities. These will enable creative companies across the UK and beyond to collaborate with academic researchers and industry experts.
The Dundee-based studio is the first of its kind in the city and marks the beginning of a broader initiative. A second facility, set to open at First Stage Studios in Edinburgh in March 2025, will be connected via the Realtime Cloud Lab, allowing for remote collaboration and research.
Virtual production techniques – which combine computer-generated imagery (CGI), augmented reality, and motion capture – will play a central role in the CoSTAR Realtime Lab’s work. These technologies promise to revolutionise content creation by generating hyper-realistic digital sets, improving motion capture, and enhancing production pipelines.
Professor Gregor White, Director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab, highlighted the significance of this initiative:
With the technologies that power our screen-based experiences in film, games and performance rapidly converging, there’s an opportunity for companies working in these sectors to diversify their offer, explore new markets, and push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in their sectors.
Advancing Scotland’s Role in the Global Creative Industries
Scotland has long been recognised for its strengths in games, film, and the wider creative industries, with institutions like Abertay University and the University of Edinburgh leading the way. The CoSTAR Realtime Lab seeks to build on this legacy by fostering innovation and reducing barriers for creative professionals seeking to integrate cutting-edge technology into their work.
Professor Melissa Terras MBE, Co-director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Edinburgh College of Art, noted:
Building a bridge between creatives and technologists will allow us to support the development of new products and services, while also ensuring that we are encouraging diverse access to cutting-edge facilities.
This collaboration extends beyond academia, bringing together key industry partners such as Screen Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, and VSS-Scotland.
Programmes Supporting Innovation and Growth
One of the flagship initiatives within the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is the Realtime TEST Lab, funded by Screen Scotland. This programme provides creative companies with the opportunity to experiment with virtual production before committing to full-scale production. Additionally, the lab will facilitate Collaborative R&D projects, helping companies integrate innovative technologies into their workflows.
Beyond this, the CoSTAR Network also includes the Pilots and Prototypes Programme (PPP), a £3.6 million fund designed to support UK companies in developing new ideas, and the Enterprise and Commercial (E&C) programme, aimed at fostering sustainable creative technology businesses.
AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith underscored the significance of this investment:
The CoSTAR Realtime Lab will build on the strong foundations of Scotland’s gaming cluster, bringing together next-generation production technologies, the latest in video game development, and AI and machine learning, to support innovators in the creation of new technologies, experiences, and markets.
Dundee and Scotland at the Forefront of Real-Time Content Creation
Dundee has a long history of technological innovation, particularly in gaming. The city is home to globally renowned studios and has consistently demonstrated its ability to drive digital transformation. The opening of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Chroma Developments’ Water’s Edge further cements Dundee’s reputation as a hub for creative and digital industries.
Chris van der Kuyl CBE, FRSE, Chairman of 4J Studios, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative:
The launch of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is a major step in Dundee’s journey, bringing cutting-edge virtual production technology to the city and securing its position at the forefront of real-time content creation.
The UK Government Scottish Secretary Ian Murray echoed this sentiment, recognising the project’s broader significance:
The possibilities it creates for the entertainment industry are endless… It’s a tremendous feather in the cap of Brand Scotland, demonstrating to the world that Dundee and Scotland are centres of excellence for the screen and gaming industries.
Stephen Coleman OBE, CEO & Co-Founder of CodeBase said:
Supporting the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is another great opportunity for CodeBase to play our part as a Scottish ecosystem builder and a champion of tech-driven enterprise and entrepreneurship. We are always looking for new ways to collaborate with specialists in different technology domains and to leverage our delivery of Techscaler, Scotland’s national tech backbone for the benefit of the ecosystem as a whole, building on Scotland’s unique strengths in talent, research, and innovation.
Howell Davies, Head of Strategic Funding and Programmes at Interface, said:
CoSTAR’s Realtime Lab is a game-changer for industry seeking to harness the power of real-time technologies. With access to cutting-edge tools, a deep and diverse pool of expertise and talent with a support system for organisations to empower them to innovate and create groundbreaking experiences, it will create significant impact and legacy for the UK’s creative industry and wider.
Councillor Mark Flynn, Leader of Dundee City Council, emphasised the project’s local and national impact:
The video games, screen, and performance industries already make a significant contribution to Dundee’s economic and cultural success. Collaborative projects like this, supported by both academia and business, are important for the continued growth and future of the sector.
With its world-class facilities, expert partnerships, and ambitious vision, the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is set to transform Scotland’s creative industries, providing new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth.
Find Out More
For more information visit the CoSTAR website, or follow @costarnetwork.
Full information and funding calls can be found online: Access Programmes | CoSTAR
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