Indielab is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for its 2025 TV Accelerator, focused on the future of content for indies in the UK.
As the tenth programme from the acclaimed accelerator specialist, this year’s outing will look at the future of content financing, audience trends and AI and technology, as well as supporting indies to develop their business and commercial skills.
The Indielab TV Accelerator has long been a catalyst for growth and innovation in the television industry, providinghigh-level briefings, bespoke masterclasses and seminars from top industry leaders.
Over the past decade, the programme has helped scripted, non- scripted and digital indies to scale their businesses, achieve significant revenue increases and secure pivotal deals in distribution, finance and investment. Notable indies who have attended the programme and gone on to achieve success include Goalhanger, True North, Merman, Synchronicity Films, Dare Pictures, Mam Tor, Little Gem, Chalkboard TV, Air TV, Spirit Studios, Zandland and Wall of Entertainment.
Indielab will start welcoming applications from existing UK early- and mid-stage production companies from today until the application deadline on Friday 7 March. The successful applicants who will make up the 2025 cohort will be announced following the programme launch on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
Key KPIs from the Indielab Accelerator Programme include:
- an average revenue increase of £1.7m per company
- 40% of participants closing finance or equity deals
The 2025 Indielab TV Accelerator Programme: Running from April 2025, the accelerator will provide three months of immersive, hands-on masterclasses and support to a select group of companies covering key areas and topicsincluding: USP; audience trends; global market; commissioning trends; production finance; distribution; digital first;FAST; co-pros; brand funded; alternative funding models; podcast; leadership; AI & tech; financials; operations; growth planning; wellbeing; culture and investment.
Participants will gain the tools and strategies needed to grow their businesses, with opportunities to:
- attend bespoke masterclasses and seminars;
- access exclusive networking events with industry leaders, funders, distributors, digital partners, commissioners and buyers;
- receive tailored one-on-one support, including legal advice through the Indielab legal helpdesk;
- connect with a dynamic, supportive community of like-minded indie founders via the Indielab Connect platform.
The 2025 programme will host expert sessions from key industry figures including Jane Turton (CEO, All3Media), Mike Benson (Managing Director, Chalkboard and Clapperboard Studios), Fozia Khan (Head of Unscripted, UK Originals, Amazon MGM Studios) and Tafara Makopa (Managing Director, Wall of Entertainment), alongside many others.
On the final day of the programme Indielab will host its Showcase event, providing the cohort with the opportunity to meet with multiple distribution companies including Banijay Rights, Off the Fence, Silverlining Rights, Sphere Abacus and DCD Rights.
The programme is open to high-potential independent TV companies from across scripted and non-scripted genres. Indielab is particularly committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry and strongly encourages applications from under-represented groups.
As in previous years, Indielab’s 2025 TV Accelerator cohort will be selected from scripted and non-scripted producers, male and female-owned businesses and will have a minimum of 50% of participants from the UK’s nations and regions, in line with the programme’s mission to help nurture diversity and sustainable production hubs outside of London.
Indielab is delighted that North East Screen is joining as a funder of the 2025 Accelerator, alongside our key partners Screen Scotland, the BBC and Channel 4, as well as international distributor Banijay Entertainment; top media and entertainment law firm Harbottle & Lewis LLP - our exclusive legal sponsor for the 2025 TV Accelerator; Helion Partners and Nyman Libson Paul LLP.
Victoria Powell, founder at Indielab, said: “We’ve long been supporting indie-growth and indie-pivots in this industry, helping many of our attendees to conceive and deliver bold and ambitious growth and pivot plans. The sector is changing rapidly, and we’re focused on helping indies change fast with it. This year’s programme is all about the future of content funding, production, audience trends, revenue and monetisation. How can indies make it in 2025 and beyond? If they want to figure out a robust game plan then we can help them get there.”
Matt Travers, Head of Business, TV Commissioning and Business Development at the BBC comments: “At the BBC, we’re proud to be long-term funding partners of the Indielab TV Accelerator. This initiative plays a key role in nurturing the next generation of independent producers and driving innovation across the industry. We’re particularly focused on ensuring that the programme helps to increase diversity within the broadcast sector, reflecting our ongoing commitment to a thriving, inclusive production landscape in the UK’s nations and regions. By investing in talent and creativity from all corners of the UK, we’re helping to build a more diverse and resilient broadcasting ecosystem for the future.”
Louise Acheson, Head of Business & Market Development at Screen Scotland comments: “Screen Scotland is once again delighted to support the Indielab TV Accelerator, reaffirming our commitment to empowering independent TV companies across Scotland. As a nation we are rich in creative potential, and through initiatives like Indielab we continue tofoster the growth of an ambitious and sustainable screen industry, creating the conditions for Scotland to thrive as a hub for film and TV production.”
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive at North East Screen comments: “At North East Screen, we are proud to addour support to the Indielab TV Accelerator in its tenth year, as part of our commitment to developing andchampioning the North East as one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs. Our region is home to an exceptional pool of talent, and by fostering initiatives like Indielab, we’re not only nurturing new voices but also investing in the future of TV production, making the North East a vibrant and sustainable powerhouse for the screen industry.”
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights comments: “As the TV industry continues to evolve, it’s crucial that independent producers have the right tools and guidance to succeed. The Indielab TV Accelerator plays a vital role in equipping emerging production companies with the commercial, legal andfinancial expertise they need to thrive in a competitive market. Supporting this initiative is an investment in the future of content creation, and Banijay Entertainment is proud to back a programme that nurtures innovation and helps build resilient, ambitious businesses.”
How to apply
To be eligible, indies must be founded and registered in the UK, with less than £6m in revenue in non-scripted work. In order to support the burgeoning scripted sector as well as non-scripted, the cap on turnover has been lifted to £10m if the company can demonstrate some scripted production.
Participating indies must have had at least two broadcast credits or a body of significant digital content, within the last two years or, if a start-up, the founder must have three credits as a producer, series producer or EP within the past three years.
Applications are open for the 2025 TV Accelerator, with an early bird deadline of Friday 31 January, and final deadline of Friday 7 March 2025. Detailed and fully accessible interactive briefings about the programme will take place on Tuesday 21 January, Tuesday 4 February, and Monday 3 March 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified during March and invited to nominate two employees to take part in the programme, which will commence on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
To apply or to learn more about the programme, visit the Indielab TV Accelerator website or contact [email protected].