By Sagar V. Mankar In a major boost for the German games industry, the country’s Minister of State for Culture and the Media has unveiled a new funding initiative targeted at supporting the growth of new game studios.
According to Game Developer, the initiative dubbed “Press Start: Games Founding Grant” promises to provide substantial financial resources to help founders focus on developing their projects.
Key Details of the New Grant Program
- Successful applicants will receive €2,750 (nearly $3,000) per month over an 18-month period
- Funding is open to founders who have started a new studio in Germany within the past 18 months or plan to do so in the next year
- Up to 130 founders will be selected by a jury, who will also provide an educational and networking program
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
To be considered for the grant, applicants must:
- Have at least one game concept or project in the early development stage
- Projects can utilize a range of mechanics and technologies, including VR, mixed reality, and gamification
- Applications are open from October 28 to November 17, 2023
- Interested parties can apply through the official program website
- An informational webinar will be held in English on October 30 for further details
Boosting Germany’s Game Development Ecosystem
The grant program is part of the German government’s broader strategy to strengthen the country’s position as a hub for game development. Last year, the Ministry of Culture launched a €100 million subsidy to support startups, indies, and mid-size studios.
As Claudia Roth, the Minister representative, explained:
“With the grant, we are supporting the further development of the innovative and diverse games development landscape and thus strengthening Germany as a games location.”
Felix Falk, managing director for game (the German Games Industry Association), highlighted the importance of the new funding initiative given the noticeable decrease in new game startups in Germany:
“This gives an important boost to the German games market and further strengthens it in line with the federal government’s games strategy. The sharp decline in game startups based in Germany makes the grant program all the more important.”
Aspiring game studio founders in Germany are encouraged to apply for the “Press Start: Games Founding Grant” before the November 17 deadline. For more information, visit the official program website.