Access to finance is a constant challenge facing games businesses in the UK. For many developers, the idea of equity funding from venture capitalist funds, or angel investors is a strange and unknown process, while the availability of funds to ‘just make games’ are very few and far between.
However, there is funding out there, if you know where to look and who to speak to. Our friends at UKIE have created an Access to Finance event which should help highlight some of the opportunities available to developers and studios.
Taking place on Thursday September 3, from 10:00 – 15:00, the free Access to Finance event will feature a broad range of speakers and experts from the worlds of finance, game development and publishing.
Speakers
10:00AM – Building a Global Games Group to Stand the Test of Time
Keynote: Steve Tinkler, CFO, Tonic Games Group
Steve will walk you through the thrills and challenges of Tonic’s journey from start-up to the present day, exploring the key commercial decisions which have underpinned their success. 15 years in the making, they are a 300 person strong developer-publisher group with studios around the world, their latest game, Fall Guys, should need no introduction. It’s one of the breakout hits of 2020. Steve will share the insights into how you too can build a successful and sustainable studio to last.
10:30AM – UK tax relief for the Games Industry and the Accountant’s role
Terry Bourne & Gurvir Cheema, Shipleys LLP
11:00AM – Investor Panel
- Jennifer Schneidereit, WINGS Fund
- Elena Egorova, Corporate Development Director, EG7
- Spike Laurie, Venture Director, Hiro Capital
12:00PM – Lunch & networking
1:00PM – Top Tips for Building a Successful Studio
Matt Frenchman, CEO & Co-Founder, Sugar
1:30PM – Kendall Deacon Davis, The Fairchild Initiative, Kowloon Nights
2:00PM – Panel: Understanding Value as an Independent Game Developer
- Des Gayle, Founder and Producer, Altered Gene
- Emma Cooper, Business Development, Cooperative Innovations
- Andrew Smith, Managing Director, Spilt Milk Studios
