What are the best Art Universities in the UK?

Which is/are the best programme/s to raise funds for a creative online start-up based in UK?

• I'm working on a creative publishing platform for students that aims to drastically increase the exposure of their creative work on the Internet and improve as a whole the way art, media and design curriculums are taught in UK. It's an online pre-startup based in the UK. Main audience: universities and other education institutions. Which would be the best way to raise funds for the development of the platform? I have to raise between £10 000 and £20 000 I have currently considered the following programmes, but please feel free to add other or enlighten me if I sound misinformed on one or more of the following: http://www.startuploans.co.uk/ - I'm considering the Startup Loans because I'm a student and they have relatively harmless and documents-light application process. The only drawback being is the funds are only £2500 http://www.artsdigitalrnd.org.uk/ - This fund is specific for the art sector, which I believe suits my case. Drawbacks: requires a rather complicated collaboration between 3 teams/organisations; only art organisations can lead/apply for the projects. • http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-for-funding/grants-for-the-arts/ - Fund offered pretty much by the same people who are doing the Digital R&D. Again, very specific fund, which I'm not sure is geared towards that type of start-ups at all. http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/smart.ashx -  not very familiar with that programme. http://www.crowdcube.com/- UK business crowdfunding. As mentioned before, please feel free to share other options and suggestions as I'm very new to the funding culture and not so familiar with funds and grants. Please, only consider UK options.

• Answer:

  It's very difficult to raise funds without a prototype. Somehow you have to demonstrate that you are able to deliver, before asking for invesrment. Also, the amount of money you are looking for is very tiny even for an angel. This is typically a friends and family round. If I were you, I'd start a crowdfunding campaign. As far as I know, Kickstarter is available in the UK now, and your funding need is a perfect fit for it. Or if they don't approve your project, you can always use indiegogo, or tons of other sites. Crowdfunding is great for startups, not just for the money, but also for market validation and polishing your communication strategy. Be prepared for massive amounts of work, though. The indiegogo blog is a great resource for advice on how to run a successful campaign.