Award-winning Bristol-based animation studio Black Laboratory have doubled their turnover in just four years and is now expanding onto the global stage, following targeted business support from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The studio, which has created animated characters and visual effects for film, television and digital productions since 2008, secured a £24,000 Business Innovation Fund grant through the West of England Combined Authority Growth Hub. The funding enabled BlackLaboratory to research and develop a new production technology, puppix®, alongside its existing client work.
Using this initial innovation grant as a catalyst, Black Laboratory has now evolved into a globally recognised player in animation technology. Black Laboratory has also received an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games, which will be used to pilotpuppix content using Unreal Engine, the game engine used in virtual production in film and television.
puppix is an ingenious process of capturing physical puppetry and instantly converting it into a digital on-screen performance. This breakthrough innovation was made possible through the Business Innovation Fund, which helps businesses to carry out research,development, innovation activities and exploit their intellectual property. Support from the Business Innovation Fund allowed Black Laboratory to invest in the team capability, infrastructure, tools and creative space necessary to develop puppix.
Black Laboratory’s success is one of thousands supported by the Growth Hub, which was launched in 2015 to provide SMEs across the West of England with tailored advice, mentoring, access to funding and local expertise. Over the years, the Growth Hub has adaptedto meet changing business needs, from helping companies navigate the impact of the pandemic to supporting green innovation and sustainable growth.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“The West is a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship, but for smaller businesses and start-ups it can sometimes be challenging to know exactly how to turn their ideas into success. The Growth Hub has been there to offer that vital helping hand – supportinginnovation, creating jobs for local people, and driving inclusive growth across the West of England.
“It’s great to see Black Laboratory on the world stage, joining other creative companies from our region that make such a contribution to the films, TV shows and games that billions of people watch or play!”
Ben Mars, Black Laboratory puppix, said:
“The Growth Hub has been a game-changer for us. From introducing us to funding opportunities like the Business Innovation Fund and BrisBES grants, to guiding us through workforce development, digital growth and intellectual property support. Our dedicatedGrowth Hub executive has helped us turn puppix from an idea into a commercially viable global innovation. Their proactive, tailored support has helped us double our turnover in a four-year period.”
