The Abertay University Prototype Fund provides up to £25,000 grants for UK-based companies developing games and other media software.
University of Abertay Dundee helps small companies developing games enter the promising gaming industry. University has recently started accepting applications for this year’s edition of Prototype Fund — a project providing game developers with financial and technical means necessary to create a game prototype.
The project enables young companies to focus on the development of their ideas by skipping the time-consuming process of raising-funds and purchasing the necessary tools. Most of the projects are started by fresh graduates who cannot afford such an enterprise.
Successful applicants will acquire not only financial support in form of up to £25,000 grants but also optional access to University’s development studios equipped with high-end computers and professional software. Besides that, they can count on feedback and advice from the university experts.
The prototypes are set to eventually transform into commercially viable products — that’s why University is looking for promising ideas, which can pass ‘tough commercial criteria’. So far, almost 60 applicants managed to pass them. Succesful companies include: Bigyama, Adamant Studios, Euphonious, Outsource Media UK, White Paper or Two monocle Games. Some of the the projects have already attracted significant attention — for example a BAFTA ‘Ones to watch’ award winner Tick Tock Toys — a charming, logic game for iOS devices created by Swallowtail.
Tick Tock Toys — one of the successfully funded projects
Besides boosting the gaming economy in UK and creating new job opportunities Prototype Fund also aims to train talented individuals. Abertay University maintain a Talent Pool collecting skilled graduates and students who can support development of the prototypes while simultaneously raising their own capabilities.
Currently the contest is open only for applicants from Scotland but soon should start accepting proposals from companies located in other parts of the UK that trade or plan to locate to Scotland.
To apply or gain more information please visit: http://prototypefund.abertay.ac.uk/
