More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
De
More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

Application start for Hamburg's new Games Funding initiative

Developers, studios and small and medium-sized enterprises can now apply for the Hamburg Prototype Funding and receive up to 80,000 euros per project as a non-repayable grant.

The application phase for the Hamburg Prototype Funding has started and will be running until May 25, 2020.

400,000 euros per year are initially available for this purpose until 2023. In the second half of the year, gamecity:Hamburg will also launch its first incubator program to support game makers financially, but above all with mentoring, workshops and coaching in the development of computer games. Selected workshops within the framework of the incubator will also be optionally available to recipients of Prototype Funding.

Prototype Funding

The funding will be available for marketable prototypes of digital games regardless of the expected age rating by the USK - the German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Organisation. We believe that games are both an economic factor and cultural asset, which can also be designed for an adult target group.

The funding applied for is provided as a non-repayable grant on a de minimis basis within the framework of EU rules. Up to 80% but a maximum of 80,000 euros of the estimated development costs per individual project is eligible for funding. This enables young teams in particular to concentrate on their project and start development with a reliable financing base. A meaningful project description, a comprehensible exploitation strategy and solid cost and financing plans are required.

Click here for further information and detailed FAQ - prototype funding

 

Application Process

Eligible to apply are developers and developer associations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are based in Hamburg or can prove that they will relocate their headquarters to Hamburg or open a branch/business premises in Hamburg upon receipt of funding.

A counselling meeting is obligatory before the application is submitted and is recommended at least two weeks before the submission deadline, May 25, in order to clarify any questions that may arise in good time and to be able to optimally prepare interested parties for the application. Appointments with the gamecity:Hamburg contact persons can be arranged by email to funding@gamecity-hamburg.de.

All information on prototype funding, information sheets, the guidelines, the funding application, FAQs and the link to the online application can be found at https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/funding.

Apply here: Application Form

Join our Discord Server for an exchange of information about the new prototype funding and about general games industry related news and topics: Discord Server

News

Road to Nordic 2025 - These Four Hamburg Games are Traveling to Malmö

With a spacious expo area, exciting developer showcases and many opportunities for business meetings, the Nordic Game Conference is one of the most important games conferences in Europe. It offers developers plenty of opportunities to network and meet relevant business contacts in person. Gamecity Hamburg will be back again in 2025, bringing four indie games from Hamburg to Malmö as part of the “Road to Nordic” program.

Road to gamescom 2025 - Apply until April 16!

Road to gamescom is back: We offer spots at our joint Gamecity Hamburg booth at the Indie Arena Booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until April 16!

Prototype Funding 2025: Applications open until April 7

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2025 prototype funding are open from March 3 to April 7. This year's funding round provides 400,000 euros in total and up to 80,000 euros per accepted application team.

Road to Nordic Game 2025

Gamecity Hamburg offers a Road to Nordic Game Conference program: We offer four spots at our Gamecity Hamburg booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until March 30!

Recap: This was Pitch Level Up 2025

The fourth round of Pitch Level Up took place on February 20, 2025. Read our recap here in order to learn more about this beloved mentoring event, which will come back 2026.

School Internship Games January 2025: Pupils discover games industry in Hamburg companies

During a three-week internship, 15 9th grade students from Hamburg gained insights into the various job profiles and companies in the games industry. We visited them for their final presentation and found out what they learned.

Portside Game Assembly: Ticket sales for brunch and party launched

With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27, 2025. More participating studios are announced and the ticket sale for all events has started.

Senator's Roundtable 2025 at Hamburg City Hall

As in previous years, Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, and Gamecity Hamburg invited executives from the gaming industry to the Senator's Roundtable 2025 at the Hamburg City Hall to discuss current challenges and topics within the industry.

The German Creative Economy Summit 2024. Photo by Jan-Marius Kampnagel

German Creative Economy Summit 2025: Program Highlights

On March 5 and 6, 2025, the German Creative Economy Summit will once again take place in Hamburg, the largest national industry get-together for the entire creative industry at the location Kampnagel. We have put together a few program tips for you.

Application open for German federal computer game funding

Tiny Roar release "Into the Emberlands" as full version

Hamburg-based indie developer Tiny Roar released “Into the Emberlands” as version 1.0.

OneManOnMars releases Leif's Adventure: Netherworld Hero

OneManOnMars will finally release the exciting 2D action adventure Leif's Adventure on December 19, 2024!

More News
Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.