New Games Lift incubator for games sector launches

15 July 2020

Game developers urged to apply for grant from Gamecity Hamburg

Up to five teams can now apply for the three-month Games Lift Incubator and gain advice from industry experts, mentoring, access to a co-working space and funding of up to EUR 15,000 each. Applications can be submitted until the deadline of July 27, 2020. Launched by Gamecity Hamburg, the City of Hamburg is putting EUR 120,000 annually towards the support programme initially until 2023. This latest incubator targets talented young founders and start-ups in a bid to develop high-potential digital games and related projects.

"Creating great things with start-up aid"

"Our new Games Lift Incubator pools elements that are the essence of Hamburg as a game city. The strong network of companies and experts who share their knowledge actively with young teams, the proximity to media, digital and technology firms that seek exchange with the games industry and the founders of tomorrow who can create great things with a little start-up aid," said Dennis Schoubye, Project Manager of Gamecity Hamburg.

The support programme is aimed at teams of developers, students, start-ups and SMEs. Teams are limited to five members. The best applicants will pitch their ideas to a five-member award committee consisting of industry experts, the Ministry of Culture and Media and Gamecity Hamburg when the application phase ends.

The Games Lift programme runs from September until December 2020. Participants will learn the essentials of launching into the professional games industry, how to start a business and drafting a business plan, fundraising and project management, and how to create a high-quality games project with good market potential.
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Sources and further information

Gamecity Hamburg

Gamecity Hamburg goes to tremendous efforts to raise the visibility of Hamburg as a games centre abroad. The initiative sees itself as a the main point of contact for Hamburg's games sector and the Games Lift Incubator. It develops needs-based programmes, events and services in close co-operation with the games industry to strengthen local players. At the same time, it encourages the exchange of knowledge within the sector and networking with other industries. Gamecity Hamburg focuses on promoting young talent, developing new formats that boost the strong games network in the city and internationalisation. Gamecity Hamburg is part of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft.