Ukie in partnership with Tencent and the Department for Business and Trade has announced the second year of the Video Games Growth Programme designed to help ambitious studios across the UK scale both creatively and commercially.
Building on the success of its inaugural year which saw 27 studios graduate, the programme offers two tailored pathways:
- Accelerator track – for emerging studios ready to take their first big growth leap.
- Scale-up track – for established companies with high-growth potential seeking to expand further.
Participants will benefit from expert-led sessions, hands-on mentorship and access to investors. The curriculum covers critical areas for long-term success, including business strategy, securing funding, team and operations management and expanding into international markets.
Nick Poole, CEO of Ukie said: “We’re delighted to launch the second year of the Video Games Growth Programme, empowering the next generation of start-ups and scale-ups. With tailored mentorship, expert insights and hands-on support, the programme helps participants turn fresh ideas and bold ambition into the skills, strategies and confidence they need to grow, succeed and define their future in the industry.”
Mark Maslowicz, Vice President of Partnerships and Investments at Tencent, said: “We’re excited to support the second year of the Ukie Video Games Growth Programme. The UK is home to the largest video games market in Europe, worth over £7 billion[1] and engaging more than half the population. With that momentum comes a unique opportunity to shape the future of the industry. By backing early-stage studios, we’re cementing the UK’s position as a global hub for game development.”
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, said: “We’re proud to support this programme, helping ambitious studios scale up and succeed. This will support innovation, creating jobs and boost the economy as part of our Plan for Change.
“We will continue to support the UK’s world leading creative industries sector, through programmes like this, as it is one of the key growth driving sectors in our modern Industrial Strategy.”
Applications for the Ukie Video Games Growth Programme open on 15 September 2025 and close on 20 October 2025.
Notes to Editor
About Tencent Games
Tencent Games was launched in 2003 and has since grown into the leading global platform for game development, publishing and operation, as well as the operator of the largest online game community in China. It is dedicated to offering engaging and high-quality interactive entertainment experiences for players around the world. Tencent Games now offers more than 170 in-house developed and licensed games across 200 countries and regions, which provides hundreds of millions of users with cross-platform interactive entertainment experiences.
About Ukie (The Association of UK Interactive Entertainment)
Ukie is a not-for-profit trade body that represents the UK games and interactive entertainment industry. Its mission is to supercharge the future of the UK video games and interactive entertainment industry.
It represents over 700 businesses working across the UK, including game developers, publishers, platforms and service providers. It supports companies through business support programmes, political engagement, speaking with the media on behalf of the sector and running education initiatives to boost
Ukie also delivers Digital Schoolhouse. The not-for-profit Digital Schoolhouse programme, together with Nintendo UK, uses play-based learning to engage the next generation of pupils and teachers with the computing curriculum. Digital Schoolhouse is backed by the video games industry and government.
Ukie also supports and manage key industry campaigns such as Ask About Games, and Raise The Game.