Creative Enterprise and Ukie have today opened applications to sign up to the next cohort of their prestigious Games programmes.
Games Scale Up supports games developers, publishers or support services to learn the vital skills required to grow their businesses. The programme first ran in 2020 as part of the Creative Enterprise programme, delivered by Creative England – part of Creative UK, with National Lottery funding from the BFI.
The Foundations for Game Studios and Foundations for Creative Tech & Services programmes provide the insights, network and resources needed to grow a sustainable business for earlier stage Games studios and tech & service companies adjacent to the gGames sector.
Each programme will recruit 10-15 businesses, with applicants expected to demonstrate that their work promotes the art, creativity and storytelling power of Games.
The programmes will include input, insight and advice from leading industry figures. 2021’s cohort received support from mentors including Chris Bain (Player One Consulting), Maria Sayans (ustwo games), Simon Hade (Space Ape Games), Audrey LePrince (Nordisk Games, formerly The Game Bakers) and Jude Ower OBE (PlayMob).
Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of Ukie, said: ”We’re delighted to be working again with Creative Enterprise to bring our network and industry expertise to the excellent Games Scale Up programme.
Over the last couple of years these programmes have provided tangible benefits to the businesses that took part. This year, we want to bring the benefits of the programme to as wide a range of founders as possible – helping them to drive growth.”
Dan Wood, Games Associate at Creative UK, said: “I’d urge games businesses with the ambition and potential to scale their businesses to apply today. Our Games Scale Up and Foundations programmes have been a great success so far, giving all participants access to the business skills, knowledge, confidence and networks required to make their businesses a success.“
Ben Ward, Supergonk, said: “Last year's Games Scale Up programme really gave me the skills, confidence and ambition I needed to take Supergonk to the next level. Our team already had strong game development skills, but our business planning and strategic ambition were areas where I thought we could improve. The programme gave me access to expert advice and, importantly, a group of other founders who are in the same kind of position with which to share knowledge. I found that taking part in the Games Scale Up programme fundamentally shifted my focus to act and think like a business ready and able to scale.”
Joe Coggins, Retro Drive Studios, said: “The programme was excellent. It helped improve how we operate as a team and, fundamentally, what we should be thinking about from a business perspective. Also, cohesively when it comes down to making our game.”
Businesses throughout the UK are invited to apply, with applications particularly encouraged from those based in the English regions outside of the M25, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and businesses with female founders, or those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The programmes are free for all successful applicants and will run for six months (Games Scale Up) and three months (Foundations) from September 2022.
Further information on each programme and how to apply is available via Creative UK’s website:
Games Scale Up: https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise/scale/games-scale-up/
Foundations for Game Studio: https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise/scale/foundations-game-studios/
Foundations for Creative Tech and Services: https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise/scale/foundations-for-creative-tech-services/