EDINBURGH, Scotland — 24 September 2025 — Following the success of its D.I.C.E Europe Games Day held in Dundee last week, the Scottish Game Developers Association (SGDA) today opened applications for the Games Accelerator programme. Participants will attend nine in-person workshops to be held between November 2025 and March 2026. Applications close at 17:00 BST on Wednesday 15 October 2025. Apply at www.sgda.co.uk/accelerator.
Workshops will be led by games industry experts, and participants will be encouraged to develop a bite-sized game over the course of the programme, putting their learnings into practice. Participants will also have access to mentor advice and support, provided by experienced developers.
The free-to-attend accelerator is funded by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, and is open to Scotland-based early-stage and aspiring games leaders.
The accelerator culminates in participants pitching their games and a business plan at Games Talks Live, Scotland’s largest recurring games industry speaker and networking event, held in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow. The SGDA-hosted nights have seen regular attendance from publishers and investors at over 30 events held to date.
Programme details:
- The nine workshops will cover areas such as product development, financing, and pitching to publishers.
- Participants will develop small game prototypes within teams to apply learning, with further expert-recommended reading also included in the curriculum.
- Pitch at Games Talks Live in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow, March 24-26, 2026.
- Places are limited; maximum two applicants per studio/team. Hardship funding is available for the required in-person attendance.
“Scotland’s burgeoning games talent will directly benefit from this practical business skills development course,” said Cian Roche, the newly-appointed SGDA General Manager. “Expert advice and feedback, knowledge of clear routes to funding, and the opportunity to pitch to a cross-section of the industry will give participants the confidence they need to put a concrete plan into action and grow a successful games business.”
Apply now: www.sgda.co.uk/accelerator. Queries: accelerator@sgda.co.uk.
Media Assets attached in email:
SGDA Games Accelerator Promo Images, Cian Roche profile image.
About the SGDA:
The Scottish Game Developers Association is a Scottish registered charity that champions videogame development, interactive entertainment, and associated technology, as an integral part of Scotland’s arts, heritage, culture, and science.
About Games Talks Live:
Speaking and networking events held twice a year in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow. Attendees from across the games industry share knowledge and network with visiting publishers, investors and organisations from adjacent creative sectors.