Accelerator

Games London is launching the second edition of their free, virtual accelerator programme for games studio founders. This long-term scheme will run through the 2nd half of 2021 and is set to help promising studio founders make significant strides in developing their future business strategies. Offering a range of industry insight, practical training, and mentoring the programme will ultimately set studios up with a renewed focus and accelerated growth for their studio.

The programme

The second Accelerator will run for 5 months from August to December 2021.

Be part of a cohort of games companies all on the journey to grow their business. We’ll keep you united via a private Discord channel and provide plenty of ways to share and support each other. This will include:

Monthly masterclasses and panels with experienced industry experts
One-to-one mentoring hours from a pool of experts
Pitching advice and coaching sessions
Games London to help each founder produce a short-documentary style showreel promoting their studio and game, with the option to showcase at our events
Involvement in a dedicated Accelerator Showcase Day in December 2021, with guaranteed one-to-one investor meetings
Collaboration with other international training programmes for shared learning and networking
Inclusion in the 2022 London Games Festival programme

Who Can Apply?

The Accelerator will select up to eight studios to participate who are working on their debut or second game and are looking towards investment or publishing over the next year.

Our programme will help guide participants through that process and advise teams on funding models, investor types, publisher deals and associated topics like accounting, legal issues, tax relief and more.

The Accelerator is designed for company founders – co-founders are welcome, but both/all founding members are expected to commit fully to the programme to participate.
Games London seeks and encourages founders from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
You CAN be a predominantly remote work/distributed team and based outside of London, but Games London may prioritise London based studios OR teams with a significant proportion of the workforce based in the city.

Programme timeline

May – July 2021: Application and assessment stage
Late July/ August 2021: Interviews
August 2021: Selections made
August 2021: December 2021 (5 months) – Accelerator programme runs
December: Accelerator Showcase Day
Inclusion in London Games Festival 2022 programme of events

Accelerator FAQ

How many studios will be selected for the programme?

The Games London Accelerator will select up to eight companies to participate, with the final number based on our application and assessment results.

Can more than one team member take part?

If you are co-founders of the studio, both/all can participate in the programme - but we expect that you both participate equally across all elements and events of the programme.

Does our studio have to be physically based in London to qualify?

This programme is open to all studios and you CAN be a predominantly remote work/distributed team or based outside of London, but Games London may prioritise London based studios OR teams with a significant proportion of the workforce based in the city.

What is the cost for participating?

It's completely FREE.

What is the format? How will the classes run?

Typically, any accelerator will encourage lots of face to face networking and participation. However, as with the first Games London Accelerator this programme will be run online, with masterclasses and mentor sessions taking place virtually through webinars and roundtable meetings. A group Discord will also be set up to encourage regular contact and discussion between participants and Games London staff. We may look to host an in-person meet-up/event in late 2021, but will follow current guidances closely throughout. We are hoping to run both live and online events at the 2022 London Games Festival and hope the cohort will have met in person by then or during the festival. Any developments would naturally be discussed with the group first before any decision is made.

How much time do I need to commit to the programme?

We ask that the selected candidates commit to the full programme of masterclasses and mentoring, running from August 2021 to December 2021. We estimate this to amount to a minimum of 3 hours of meetings per month. A full schedule of the Accelerator programme will be provided upon selection.

What are the outcomes from the programme?

Games London will run a dedicated showcase event for the Accelerator cohort at the end of the programme where they'll have opportunities to network and discuss their work with potential and relevant business partners and investors. Games London will work with the founders to create a short show-reel of their work to showcase at the event. The cohort will also be included in the 2022 London Games Festival programme with a guaranteed spot at the Games Finance Market where they can pitch to investors and publishers.

What are the key benefits for me?

1 ) We offer one to one access to experienced industry mentors and course specific business insight sessions 2) The cohort structure encourages peer learning and support 3) The duration and intensity of the programme gives studios the chance to really develop their business 4) We'll provide opportunities to expand your network and connect with potential investors 5) We'll provide opportunities for studios to showcase their developed work through a produced showreel at the end of the programme. 6) Guaranteed Games Finance Market access at the London Games Festival means presence at an event attended by 45+ investors

How do I apply?

Get started by filling out the application form.

Got further questions? Contact matthew.charlton@games.london

Become a Games London Accelerator Mentor

Games London is looking for business leaders ready to mentor startups for its second Accelerator programme, starting in August 2021

This is a great opportunity for those in the sector who have a deep understanding and knowledge of the games sector and who are now in a position where they can pass on their valued experience to promising early stage founders, ready to learn and take their studio to the next level.

If you’d like to become a mentor, please contact Matt Charlton and Michael French for details.

(matthew.charlton@games.london and michael.french@games.london)