A new gaming programme designed to accelerate the growth of games companies in Wales has launched, fully funded by Creative Wales and delivered by award-winning tech hub Tramshed Tech.
The Gaming Academy Programme will provide intensive business support to 12 games companies over eight months, equipping developers with the skills, mentoring and connections needed to build commercially viable and investor-ready ventures.
The programme is being offered to recipients of the latest round of Creative Wales' Development Funding, who have already received between £25,000 and £50,000 to help them develop their ideas for commercial release. The Gaming Academy Programme aims to make maximum use of this funding by ensuring it is backed up by the best industry support and mentoring.
Recipients span the breadth of Wales, with successful applicants based in locations from Caernarfon and Pembrokeshire to Cardiff and Blaenau Gwent.
The programme consists of two phases. The first is a two-month intensive accelerator where founders will test, refine and validate their gaming business ideas through expert-led workshops, mentoring sessions and a final showcase event.
The second phase provides up to six months of follow-on support including personalised mentoring, networking opportunities and preparation for major international industry events such as Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and Gamescom.
The programme also aims to address a significant gap in support for gaming founders. Participants will receive support with business modelling, user research, market sizing, revenue planning and pitch refinement, with all sessions delivered by experienced founders and domain experts.
The UK gaming market was reportedly worth around £7.82 billion in 2023 and an estimated £352 billion globally.
Creative Wales has directly supported 77 digital companies including games, animation and immersive tech studios.
Tramshed Tech, named by Wired magazine as a UK Top Ten co-working space, has supported over 300 startups through its ventures’ unit.
For further information please select the following link: Gaming academy pressing go to help Welsh startups to the global stage | GOV.WALES.