The Scottish Game Developers Association (SGDA) has opened applications for a major new initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of games industry leaders: the SGDA Games Accelerator.
Funded by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, the accelerator is Scotland’s first dedicated business development programme for the games sector. It offers a free, intensive series of workshops designed to provide early-stage and aspiring games leaders with the practical skills and expert mentorship needed to build a successful studio.
Applications for the programme are open now and will close at 17:00 BST on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The accelerator will run from November 2025 to March 2026 and will consist of nine in-person workshops led by established games industry experts. The curriculum is designed to be highly practical, covering essential topics such as product development, finance, and pitching to publishers.
Participants will be encouraged to form teams and develop a small game prototype over the course of the programme, allowing them to apply their learnings in real-time. Throughout the process, they will also have access to advice and support from a network of experienced developer mentors.
SGDA Games Accelerator: From Workshop to World Stage
A key feature of the programme is its direct link to the established industry network. The accelerator will culminate in March 2026 with participants pitching their newly developed games and business plans at Games Talks Live, held across Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow. This provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for new talent to get directly in front of an audience of publishers, investors, and industry peers.
Cian Roche, the newly-appointed General Manager of the SGDA, told the SGN :
Scotland’s burgeoning games talent will directly benefit from this practical business skills development course. 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.
Eligibility information and criteria for entering the Accelerator, as well as the application form itself, can be found on the SGDA Accelerator programme page.
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