FAQ

What can be funded?

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The purpose of funding is to develop marketable prototypes of digital games. For the purposes of these guidelines, digital games are interactive electronic works, i.e. software that is based on a game idea, game rules and game objectives, responds to user input, generates moving image content, serves educational or entertainment purposes, and is intended for publication, in particular, computer and video games (Games). Not eligible for funding are digital games that violate the constitution or applicable law and contain content that glorifies violence, incites hatred, pornography or racism.

Who can be funded?

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Developers and developer communities (natural and legal persons), as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are already resident in Hamburg or can prove that they will relocate their headquarters to Hamburg or open a branch or business premises in Hamburg upon receipt of funding, are eligible to apply. The prerequisite for payment of the first instalment is the actual existence of a business premises in Hamburg. For the purposes of these guidelines, an SME is defined as an enterprise which, at the time of application, employs fewer than 250 persons and whose turnover in the preceding year did not exceed 50 million euros. Also, the applying company must not be owned as to 25 percent or more of the capital or the voting rights by one or more enterprises that do not meet the definition of an SME.

How many times can I apply for funding?

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Applicants can apply one more time with the same project after receiving a rejection for funding of the said project. A second application should only be considered if there has been significant progress in the planning process of the project or other aspects of the applicants. 

Applicants can submit new projects in different funding rounds as long as they do not exceed the de-minimis-defined maximum funding of 200,000 euros within three years.

What do I have to consider in order to apply for funding?

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• The applicant specifies in the application, in which state of development the project is. Generally, projects can be submitted as long as there is only a pitch deck and a description of the project, if they are still in the concept phase or if there is a first playable demo.
• Projects for which prototype development has already begun are not eligible.
• Prior experience in game development is an indispensable prerequisite for developing a prototype with market opportunities.
• The precondition is always that the applicant is already based in Hamburg or can prove that they will relocate their residence to Hamburg or open a subsidiary or branch establishment in Hamburg upon being granted funding.
• A competition analysis and exploitation strategy are required in order to assess the market potential.
• The awarding of funding is based on various criteria such as the promotion of young talent, feasibility, the team, market potential and location effect, to which the applicant should refer in his application.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

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To apply the following documents must be submitted:

• Project name
• Personal data applicant
• Pitch deck
• Additional project description
• Intended funding period
• Reference material – mood board, demo, graphics, or animations
• Cost and financing plan & proof of own funds
• Current excerpt from the commercial register, business registration if available or registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) for natural persons
• Signed documents to be submitted in the original:

• De-minimis declaration
• Data protection declaration
• Declarations funding application
• For companies: SME confirmation

All information, forms, and links for the application can be found on https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/apply-now/.