LONDON. The YCE award programme celebrates the achievements and develops the potential of young creative entrepreneurs in the UK and in emerging markets across world. Awards for creative talent are common, but the YCE awards are unique in recognising the central role of creative entrepreneurs in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy that extends cultural engagement and supports cultural diversity through the development of a strong independent creative sector.

The IYCE awards rewarding entrepreneurial ability. Organizers recognise that a finalist may be active in the creative process, but this should be secondary to their focus as an entrepreneur in the promotion of their creative sector in their country. Critical judgement of creative production and understanding of market will be the key criteria in this process. Consequently creative or artistic talent per se will not be factored into the judging procedure – finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the industry.

The definition of creative entrepreneurs can be applied to both the profit and not-for-profit sectors. Organizers are not looking to identify the person who has created the most profitable business, but someone who has a wider understanding of the potential of the creative economy in his or her country and and is interested in building this market. The organizers are looking for people who empower others to exploit the economic potential of the creative industries. As such, candidates are judged both on the evidence of their existing entrepreneurial skills and their potential to be an agent of change. Although the awards support the development of a strong independent sector, it is not necessary for the candidate to have started their own business to qualify – existing evidence of entrepreneurial skill and leadership potential (within another company) is sufficient.

For the purpose of this awards programme creative entrepreneurs are defined as follows:

Somebody working in the creative sector who is able to demonstrate business success in the classic terms of business growth (profit, market share, employees) and/or in terms of his or her reputation (quality and aesthetic) amongst their peers.

Somebody working in the creative sector who has developed a successful (in terms of impact and reach) social or not for profit enterprise in this sector.
Somebody working in the creative sector who has shown leadership in the industry by championing its development in their country.

Somebody working in the creative sector who has developed initiatives (exhibitions, trade fairs, festivals etc) that develop and grow the market for this sector in their country.

For the purpose of the awards programme, creative entrepreneurs should possess the following qualities:

1. Entrepreneurial ability
Risk taking: Can assess, enjoy and face risks, with the skills/initiative to successfully drive ideas forward.

Passion for their creative sector: Although not necessarily or primarily the creative talent themselves, creative entrepreneurs are the mediators that bring these products to the market and as such require an ability to respect, understand and manage creativity.

Corporate skills: Business acumen, commercial awareness and managerial ability with the end product of articulating a business vision and strategy.
Interpersonal skills: Ability to sell an idea, negotiate and network.

2. Leadership ability/potential to change their sector
Leadership ability: Have the vision to combine their creative and entrepreneurial skills to be a leader in their national creative community. Ability to share the lessons of their IYCE experience with others.

Agent of change: ability to make a difference – as not merely successful in business terms but also intervenes in the domestic market to impact positively on its infrastructure.

3. Market awareness and understanding
Market awareness: Knowledge of the local market situation and their role in it.
Ability to spot gaps within the market and exploit these opportunities into real solutions.

4. Originality of ideas
Original ideas and the flexibility to develop these in a commercial context.
Self confidence: Possess the focus and ambition to support their original ideas.

5. International outlook and ability to network with the UK/globally
International outlook: The will and ability to develop a mutually beneficial culture of personal and professional engagement, collaboration and partnership with the UK, and to benefit from dialogue with other international participants.

In addition, a participant must:

Be aged between 25 and 35 at the date applications are due.

Already work in the creative sector (as outlined in each of the sectoral definitions below) with at least three years experience in their sector.

Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion of that creative sector in their country, in either a commercial context, public context, or both.

Through their character, drive and abilities, demonstrate their potential to be a future leader of the sector in their country.

Have English language skills to IELTS 6 - ‘competent user’ or above.