Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1356256
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MARCH 2021 7 CREATIVE & STARTUPS Malta companies called to compete in 'Olympics' of creative startups A new national competition has been launched for Malta's creative entrepreneurs to join a global community celebrating startups and championing the creative industries. The Creative Business Cup, launched in Malta by Culture Venture, is a global competi- tion organised by the Creative Business Network bringing to- gether 80 national winners. Re- garded as the Olympics of cre- ative startups, the competition is a unique event for innovative disruptors aiming to change the world and impact the glob- al economy. Toni Attard, National Part- ner for the Creative Business Cup said that as the pandemic continues to present unprece- dented challenges to the crea- tive industries, "this is a unique opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the sector. The global competition will provide Malta's creative startups with an international platform and unprecedented access to net- works, experts and investors." Globally, the creative econ- omy generates $2.2 trillion in revenues and creates 30 mil- lion jobs. In Malta the creative industries account for 7.9% of total GVA, exceeding the di- rect contribution of the con- struction and civil engineering sector and the accommodation and food services sector. They also create 12,000 jobs and play a key role in propelling the sus- tainable development goals by incorporating people-centred values and sustainability across their economic, social and en- vironmental objectives. Kurt Farrugia, CEO of Malta Enterprise, which is the main sponsor of the national com- petition, recognised the role of the creative sector towards the economy. "Malta Enterprise has been supporting this sector with various schemes and even more during the pandemic by the Wage Supplement. Spon- soring the Creative Cup at a national level demonstrates the level of commitment of the Government towards the crea- tive sector," said Farrugia. Startups utilising creative skills in the production of a creative industry product or service or creative startups collaborating with other indus- tries are eligible to apply. These include businesses in advertising, architecture, craft & artisan, design, experiences technologies, fashion, film, vid- eo, photography, gastronomy, leisure activities, music, per- forming arts, publishing, radio and television, software, visual arts, computer games and elec- tronics, publishing, 3D print- ing maker and toys and games. All finalists at the national competition will receive one- on-one sessions by PwC Malta to prep them for the competi- tion and Malta Enterprise will provide guidance on business development. In June, Malta's winner will virtually join other creative startups with the pos- sibility of winning a variety of prizes to help shape more cre- ative ideas and concepts into sustainable businesses. Online applications are open until April 28th and the National Fi- nals will be held on May 14th. The application is available h t t p s : / / w w w . f 6 s . c o m / c r e a - tive-business-cup-malta-2021/ apply. Echoes Lou Drofenik Horizons, 2019 It is 1961 and Malta is in the middle of an unprecedented social upheaval. The Labour Party is at loggerheads with the Nationalist Party and the Catholic Church. Maltese so- ciety is tearing itself apart. The private world of individuals is wracked by vengeful acts. Fear, lack of trust and hate divide families and neighbourhoods. Migration is at its height. Two families are waiting for the guarantee papers to ar- rive so they would migrate to Australia. Will Australia fulfil Ninette Muscat's dream of liv- ing happily with the husband she loves? Will Australia give seventeen-year-old Rosie Far- rugia a better life than the one she has on the island? Will she find the security and freedom she craves, and will she be able to reach her full potential? Mental illness, passion and tragedy combine to make ECHOES an unforgettable and emotional story. This is a tender, thoughtful novel, rich in character and detail. It transports us to the drama of migration, and takes us straight inside the struggle individuals face during the first years of settlement in a new country. This is yer another powerful and sublime novel by award-winning author Lou Drofenik. Don't miss out on this book! The book is available from leading bookshops and also online from Horizons' website, www.horizons.com.mt. Book review