Moolah. Dough. Spondoolicks. Simolians. Call it what you want, it’s the thing that keeps us in business – if you have it, you get to make the games you want. If you don’t, hopefully you can persuade someone to let you make the games that they want. Money can make our dreams come true – particularly if those dreams include running your own games studio, but it’s awfully hard to come by, even more so when you are starting out.
Fortunately, Abertay are there to cover you, in the form of their “Prototype Fund”. This is a scheme set up to “foster economic growth, facilitate job creation, and improve skills development in the sector”, and what it amounts to is a system for providing grants to small UK-based companies that are developing games or something that ticks both the digital and interactive boxes.
The fund is looking to help support people with innovative projects, but ones that are sufficiently grounded that they are going to be commercially viable- this isn’t where you can go to get a free handout for a pie-in-the-sky idea. But with that said, if you have a good project and can show that you know what you are talking about, the Prototype Fund is there to provide not just assistance with funding, but additionally support and advice from industry experts and even offices as part of Abertay’s in-house studio space.
The Prototype Fund is a great opportunity to help your pipe-dream become reality, and all you need to do is fill in some forms and really sell your idea, as well as your team. If that sounds too good to be true, you can go along to the Prototype Fund Workshop being held at Abertay where you can see for yourself what exactly the process entails, and get advice and assistance in crafting a great application and increasing your chances of success.
If you’re interesting in learning more, please head over to the Prototype site where you can find many many more details and register for the Workshop which takes place on the 20th June, starting from 13.00. Don’t forget that applications for the next round of funding are due by the 18th July!
If you do apply for the fund, we’re interested in hearing from you! Get in touch at igdascotland@gmail.com or hit the comments of this post – tell us about your project!