Inspiring Creatives Through Financing
Get low rate loans with flexible repayment terms.
Creative Industries Loan Fund
The City of Atlanta recently announced the new Creative Industries Loan Fund, a joint pilot program of the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta to assist our city’s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs. The program offers loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms for local creative entrepreneurs to use for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects.
Application Steps
A new Creative Industries Advisory Board will review the applications and make funding decisions, and awards will be made through Invest Atlanta.
1
Info Session
Attend the info session to learn more about your options.
2
Download Application
Complete both the application and submission release forms.
3
Apply
Submit your application via hand delivery to Sheoyki Jones at Invest Atlanta, with application fee only accepted in cashier's check or money order made payable to Invest Atlanta.
4
Application Review
Your application will be reviewed by the Invest Atlanta and Creative Industries Advisory Board.
5
Get Funding
Invest Atlanta will issue funding for approved applicants.
NOTE: Invest Atlanta will provide suggestions to applicants who are not approved initially.
Program Structure:
- Loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms
- Applications to be reviewed by a committee of Creative Industries Advisory Board and Invest Atlanta personnel
- Approval process managed by the Advisory Board and Invest Atlanta personnel
- Simplified and timely loan closing process
- Intellectual property to be used as collateral
Eligible Uses of Funds:
- Production
- Post-production
- Distribution
- Marketing outreach
- Touring/Festivals
- Prototype development
- Product development
- Sales and Attraction
- Plus any additional uses as described by the applicable state regulations. For more info click here and here.
Eligible Applicants:
- Independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs located within the City of Atlanta that plan to create content within the City of Atlanta.
- Independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating a business within the City with a valid City of Atlanta business license.
- Independent record, management labels and their talent which are located within the City of Atlanta with a valid City of Atlanta business license.
- Applicants who have attended an Invest Atlanta Creative Industries Loan Fund Information Session.
Available Loan Types
| Film | Music | Digital Entertainment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Assist content creators in film production, post production and distribution | Assist content creators in music production, post production and touring | Assist content creators in digital entertainment with production and distribution |
| Loan Amount | $5,000 - $50,000 |
$5,000 - $50,000 up to $100,000 for touring/festival |
$5,000 - $50,000 |
| Typical Structure | Direct Loans | Direct Loans | Direct Loans |
| Term | 1 - 5 years | 1 - 5 years | 1 - 5 years |
| Interest Rate | 3% - 7% |
3% - 7% |
3% - 7% |
| Eligible Uses |
Production Post Production Marketing Distribution |
Production Post Production Marketing Distribution Touring/Festival |
Prototype Development Product Development Sales & Attraction |
| Jobs Created/Retained | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Application Fee | $100 (nonrefundable) | $100 (nonrefundable) | $100 (nonrefundable) |