UK Games Fund announces largest cohort of indie studios to receive grants of up to £100,000

The UK Games Fund has announced its largest cohort of funded indie studios since its inception in 2015. A total of 29 independent studios across the United Kingdom have received grants amounting to a maximum of £100,000 each through the expanded Prototype Fund. Following the reopening of applications for the Prototype Fund in April, the Fund received a strong response from talented teams working on ambitious and innovative projects.

According to UK Games Fund director Kirsty Gibson, the funding enables independent studios to develop original intellectual property, advance projects, create jobs, and enhance their prospects of securing additional investment.

The studios selected to receive support from the Prototype Fund have expressed their excitement about the funding opportunity. Toyumi co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Sofie Marien stated, "With this funding, we can make our ambitious dreams come true and deliver the most personalised life sim experience players have ever encountered." Marien added that it has always been her dream to create a game where players can say anything and become anyone, and she is thrilled to be the one building it.

The Games Growth Package, part of the UK government's Industrial Strategy and Creative Industries Sector Plan, allocated an additional £28.5 million to the UK Games Fund over the next three years. This commitment includes £1.5 million for the London Games Festival. The funding package comprises three distinct tracks: the Prototype Fund, offering grants of up to £100,000; the Starter Fund, providing grants of up to £20,000 for early-stage projects; and the Content Fund, supporting project completion and studio growth with grants up to £250,000.