Jenn Blackwood is a creative industries consultant and researcher working at the intersection of creative technology, innovation and cultural policy. She supports creative businesses, universities and cultural organisations to develop new opportunities, secure funding and build sustainable growth.

Jenn brings experience from both startup and research environments. As the first employee of award-winning edtech company Interactive Scientific, she helped scale the business from an early-stage startup to a 15-person team and supported the company in raising £1.5 million in investment from Seed to Pre-Series A.

She has managed cross-sector innovation and R&D projects with university and industry partners, participated in accelerator programmes with Oracle, Engine Shed and xEdu (Helsinki), and co-designed funding and accelerator programmes for creative companies through WECA's Business Innovation Fund and the £30 million MyWorld programme, working with the University of Bristol and Digital Catapult.

As a business development consultant, Jenn advises creative technology businesses, including Air Giants, Mechanimal and Noods Levels and has mentored founders on the DCMS and WECA Create Growth Programme.

Jenn's research focuses on creative innovation ecosystems, cultural strategy and inclusive growth. Through evidence-based research, evaluation and strategic design, she helps public, academic and cultural partners understand the conditions that enable creative communities and businesses to thrive. Clients include BFI/Bristol City Council, Creative PEC/Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy, WECA/Watershed, University of the West of England/ Global Cultural Districts Network.

Residents can book a Time Bank session with Jenn on the last Thursday of each month for support with business development, funding opportunities, partnerships, strategic thinking and business models.