In response to the ongoing wave of layoffs, redundancies and studio closures across the UK games sector, the Scottish Games Network (SGN) is today opening its Hello World! Startup Summit to industry professionals currently affected.
The event, taking place on March 2nd at the University of Glasgow ARC, has already seen over 100 registrations from aspiring founders and students from across Scotland. SGN is now allocating a dedicated number of spaces for mid-career and senior developers impacted by the industry’s recent volatility, offering them the commercial scaffolding required to pivot from employees to studio owners.
Building the New Founders of 2026 – and Beyond
The summit is built on the principle of the Honest Architect – a focus on the hard business logic, funding realities, and market validation tools needed to build sustainable companies in a challenging global games market.
“The current industry disruption is a tragedy for individuals, but it is also a massive displacement of world-class talent,” says Brian Baglow, Director of the Scottish Games Network. “We don’t want that talent to leave the sector, or Scotland. We want to equip them to build their own future.
If you’ve been impacted by recent redundancies, if you’ve been laid off, we are inviting you to stop looking for a seat at a dwindling table and start building your own studio.”
A High-Level Professional Intervention
The summit moves beyond traditional game design to focus on commercial survival and growth. The programme includes:
- Monetisation Masterclass: How do you make your game make money? Why business models must be part of your game design.
- Pitching for Business: Helping developers sell a business proposition, not just a game concept.
- Founder Lightning Talks: Real-world war stories from Scottish studio leads who have successfully navigated the startup process.
- “Office Hours” Mentorship: A drop-in zone where senior veterans and business advisors provide 1-on-1 career and startup guidance.
A Call for Industry Mentors & Partners
With 60% of tickets already booked, SGN is also issuing a final call for established studio heads and experts in funding, finance, and market validation to join the afternoon Office Hours and workshops.
“This is about more than just Scotland; it’s about the resilience of the UK games ecosystem,” Baglow continues. “We have the talent. Now we need to provide the professional infrastructure to ensure the next generation of studios are built on solid foundations.”
Registration & Details
Industry professionals impacted by recent redundancies can apply for a dedicated place via the link below. Limited exhibition spaces remain for organisations providing business support, legal, and financial services to new founders.
To exhibit, demo, or take part in the day’s programme, email: brian.baglow@scottishgames.net.
Event Website: https://www.citizenticket.com/events/scottish-games-week/hello-world/
Location: University of Glasgow ARC, 11 Chapel Ln, Glasgow G11 6EW
Date: March 2nd, 2026 | 09:30 – 16:00
Hope there’s one in Dundee sometime!