***Applications now closed***
Games Scale Up is a prestigious 6-month programme, developed in partnership between Creative England and games trade body Ukie, to support games developers, publishers or support services.
The programme has been devised with industry leaders for games businesses who are looking to develop and grow their business.
Who is it for?
Creative England and Ukie are looking to recruit a cohort of 10-15 games diverse businesses who have the potential and ambition to scale their business. Applicants must demonstrate that their work in some way promotes the art, creativity and storytelling power of game making.
The Games Scale Up programme is only available to businesses based in the English regions outside of London (any address based inside the M25) at the moment. If you are based in London, your application will be automatically declined.
Companies from Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply for a limited number of seats on this programme, made available through support from inGAME, Clwstwr and Northern Ireland Screen. If you are based in any of the devolved administrations (Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) please get in touch with our team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk if you would like to apply.
What is involved?
Participants will attend three workshops a month, delivered remotely starting Autumn 2022. Dependant on COVID-19 developments, we aim to also organise in-person meet-ups around wider game industry events, for the cohort to network with each other and some of the programme’s speakers.
Businesses chosen to join the cohort will receive a free business support programme (valued at £2,999) including:
- Learn to create and begin the implementation of a comprehensive plan to scale their businesses
- Get expert advice on: Business strategy | Business planning | Funding and finance | Taking their businesses to market | Decision making | How to structure teams and hire the right talent.
- Have the opportunity to meet angel and VC investors
- Learn directly from and build their network with proven industry leader
Any questions? Email our Creative Enterprise team.
***Applications now closed***
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Games Scale Up Alumni
I would absolutely recommend the Games Scale Up programme; if you have a games business and you’re serious about scaling up, then this programme is going to be a huge boost to your ambitions to help take your company to the next level.
Rob Hewson, Huey Games
The programme has enabled our business to scale up in a number of different ways. It’s given us the confidence to reach out to new contacts, find new clients, find new business partners.
Vicky Potts, CEO of Whitepot Studios
‘The programme gave me confidence in running the business. Having a safe space to chat with other founders in the same industry was really valuable to me as a new CEO.’
Marc Williamson, CEO of Tag Games
The Games Scale Up programme opened my mind on crucial topics you don’t normally think about while developing a video game. I would absolutely recommend the Games Scale Up programme to all the game dev businesses that don’t spend enough time and resources on developing their business.
Nicola Strina, Playtra Games
Figuring out that I was professional when I didn’t think I was professional. It helped that I wasn’t made to feel like an outsider in any way. So it made it easier to ask the useful questions and get even more useful answers back.
During the programme, I was in a couple potential deals. Thanks to some one-to-ones I was able to combine a couple of those deals into more secure income that lasted a lot longer from our games.
Salman Shurie – CEO of Gesinimo Games
Eligibility
The Games Scale Up programme is specifically looking to support developers, publishers or support services who have had some recent, proven success, who can demonstrate that their work in some way promotes the art, creativity and storytelling power of game making and who have the potential and ambition to scale their business.
Your business must be based (registered or have a trading address) in the English regions outside of London.
Some of the areas that we will consider while assessing the applications are:
- You must have successfully made a game, taken one to market (including in Early Access or Kickstarter) or launched a support service in the last two years.
- Must have hired a minimum of 3 people (part time, freelance or full time) at some point in the last two years.
- Your business must have generated revenue in the last year.
Apply Here
How to apply
The strength of the following areas will be considered when assessing your application:
- Track record of the team/individual
- Track record of the business and recent growth
- Viability of the potential and ambition to scale the business
- Business stage suitability with support from the programme
- Alignment of the proposal to the aims and objectives of Creative Enterprise
Awards of support will be made solely at the discretion of Creative England, whose decision is final. Creative England reserves the right to withdraw support without notice, at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you have any access or communication requirements relating to our applications and guidance, then please contact the team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk or 0333 023 5240. Subsistence contributions are available to assist with the costs of travel and accessibility of the programme. Funds are limited and at the discretion of Creative England.
If you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements prior to applying, please get in touch with Creative Enterprise Team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk.
