We are entering the final week of preparations for the Hello World! Startup Summit, taking place on 2nd March at the University of Glasgow ARC. With over 125 delegates now registered, the event is approaching a total sell-out.
The summit is designed to provide the commercial understanding required to build a sustainable games business in 2026. Under the theme of the Honest Architect, the day moves beyond general inspiration to focus on the hard business logic, funding realities, and market validation tools needed to survive and grow.
A Vital Resource for an Industry in Transition
In response to the ongoing volatility across the global games sector, we have expanded our intake to include industry professionals impacted by recent redundancies and studio closures. Whether you are a graduating student or a veteran looking to pivot toward founding your own venture, this summit provides the professional context needed to take your next steps with confidence.
The Programme: Built on Commercial Reality
The day is structured to provide a mix of high-level insight and practical, hands-on workshops:
- 09:30: Registration and Coffee (ARC Atrium)
- 10:00: Opening Remarks: The Honest Architect – Brian Baglow
- 10:10: Founder Lightning Talks: Real-world stories of what worked-and what did not-from Elena Höge, Jason Wagner, Ella Romanos, and others.
- 10:35: Founder Q&A
- 11:00: Monetisation Masterclass: Revenue design with industry veteran Oscar Clarke.
- 11:45: Networking Lunch and Living Lab Exhibition: Featuring work-in-progress demos from local indie studios and regional business support organisations.
- 12:45: Practical Workshop Rotations: Delegates will rotate through three 45-minute interactive sessions:
- The Professional Pitch: Led by Gina Jackson (Pitchify).
- Funding and Finance: With Ella Romanos (Arcanix) and Evelyn McDonald (Scottish EDGE).
- The Greenlight Lab (Market Validation): With Gary Penn (Denki) and others TBC.
- 15:45: Closing Keynote and SGN Roadmap.
Expert Mentorship and Support
Throughout the afternoon, the ARC Atrium will also host Office Hours drop-in mentorship. This offers delegates 1-on-1 access to industry experts to discuss specific business challenges or career roadmaps.
Inclusive and Fully Catered
To ensure the event is accessible to creators across Scotland, we are offering travel bursaries for students travelling from outside Glasgow. Claims will be processed via a simple digital form after the event – please ensure you keep your travel receipts.
Full catering is provided for all delegates, including a networking lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Secure Your Spot
With only a handful of tickets remaining, we encourage anyone interested in their future in the Scottish games ecosystem to register immediately.
“The goal of Hello World! is to be candid about what it takes to build a studio,” says Brian Baglow, Director of the Scottish Games Network. “We want our delegates to leave the ARC not just inspired, but equipped with the professional tools to be the developers of their own success.”