- The annual program aims to support the video games industry in the UK.
- The full list of participating companies was announced today.
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Ukie’s 2024 Video Games Growth Program, in partnership with Tencent Games, has a new key partner this year.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has joined this year’s cohort, showcasing the government’s dedication to supporting growth in British businesses.
The program aims to support the UK’s video games industry, and today marks the unveiling of this year’s cohort, comprising 30 founders and leaders of the next generation of UK video game startups and scale-ups.
“A complete curriculum”
The Video Games Growth Program by Ukie offers an accelerator track for emerging companies and a scale-up track for high-growth-potential businesses. Each company participating will have access to a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics like business strategy, funding access, management, international market expansion, and more.
“This collaboration with DBT signifies a significant milestone as it is the first time the department has directly supported the video game industry through a business accelerator program,” said Ukie. “The partnership between Ukie and DBT has already supported over 1,000 UK games businesses, and DBT’s additional support will further extend these opportunities for companies to strategize for substantial growth and expansion.”
Nick Poole, CEO of Ukie, remarked: “We are thrilled to launch our flagship Video Games Growth Program to nurture the next generation of UK video game business leaders. The video games industry has the potential to fuel economic growth by bridging the UK’s creative and technology sectors, and our program has a proven track record in assisting video games businesses in achieving their growth aspirations.”
“It’s great to partner with Tencent Games for this year’s program, leveraging their over a decade-long presence in the UK and their wealth of experience and support for these businesses.”
The UK games industry is a home for the creative, high-tech, knowledge-intensive companies that the country needs to succeed in the 21st century.
Supporting UK Talent
Over the past year, the partnership between Ukie and DBT has facilitated over £90 million in business deals for UK companies. Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas, stated: “Supporting this Program demonstrates our commitment to boosting growth by providing essential support and expert advice to the next generation of creative developers in a key industry worth nearly £8 billion.”
Mark Maslowicz, Vice President, Partnerships at Tencent Games, added: “Through this unique program, this year’s cohort can benefit from Tencent Games’ know-how, expertise, and global industry network. Having been in the UK for over a decade, we recognize the incredible pool of gaming talent and creativity in this country and are excited to contribute to nurturing it and providing up-and-coming studios with the opportunities they deserve.”
The full list of participating companies:
Accelerator Companies:
- Off Chain Games
- On Orbit
- Ryan Laley Games
- Efrenstudios Ltd
- Tissue Inu Ltd
- Twisted Works
- Bonsai Collective
- Electric Sheep Studios
- Team Artichoke
- Kindred Spirit Games
- Included Games
- innoloop
- Yaldi Games
- Smash Mountain Studio
- Maintain Altitude
- Dream on a Stick
- Dragon Scale Studios
Scale-Up Companies:
- Fallen Planet Studios
- Waving Bear Studio
- Wardog Studios
- Sandford Tech Limited
- Noun Town
- Rocket Flair Studios Ltd
- Psytec Games Ltd
- Arrogant Pixel LTD
- Rogue Sun
- Huey Games Ltd
- No Ghost limited
- Blink Games
- Fayju
