Victoria Smith secured a £75,000 Innovate UK grant to boost her platform, Gig Lab, supporting grassroots music venues in Sunderland.
Innovate UK recognized Victoria’s idea and gave her a Women in Innovation Award. She is among 50 women Innovate UK selected. These women will improve their businesses.
The grant and coaching will help Victoria. She wants to improve the live events scene. Victoria saw venue struggles firsthand. Independent venues face obstacles, so Gig Lab aims to fix these problems. The software simplifies events, streamlines work, and aids venues.
Victoria started at the Sunderland Empire at 16. She worked for big music firms later. Live Nation and Academy Music Group taught her skills. She learned about operations and finance. These lessons built her career’s base.
Victoria missed the local music scene. She recalled the community and energy. She wants decisions based on music, not money. Victoria leads finance at Ghostwriter Consultancy, valuing her team’s passion and skills. Her team helps empower music venues greatly.
Victoria feels honored by the award win. Sunderland became a Music City recently. Relocating to Sunderland boosted Ghostwriter. North East BIC and others gave support too, helping Victoria maximize the award. Layers Studio develops the software locally, keeping innovation in the North East.
The University of Sunderland also helps. Their project enhances the platform’s AI. Victoria feels part of a vibrant community. Innovate UK received many award applications. They aim to solve societal and economic issues.
Innovate UK supports women entrepreneurs greatly. This year’s winners show leadership, inspiring future women innovators much. Their success encourages more women to innovate.
