Hamburg, March 3, 2025: From March 3 to April 7, founders, start-ups, along with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for Gamecity Hamburg's Prototype Funding. Applicants can receive up to 80,000 euros for the development of their digital games. Gamecity Hamburg, as part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, is funding game developers with a total of 400,000 euros in 2025 on behalf of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. 

“With our Prototype Funding, now in its seventh funding round since 2020, we offer reliable start-up funding for the development of computer and video games. We know of the great potential of game developers in Hamburg and will continue to encourage the diversity of games and teams alike,” comments Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg. 

Funding is available for up to 80 percent of the eligible costs for the creation of digital game prototypes. A maximum of 80,000 euros per project can be applied for. The funding is non-repayable. Since 2024, a “Diversity Checklist” has been part of the application, which is intended to contribute to more diversity in teams and the content of prototypes.

The selection process:

The following are eligible to apply for Prototype Funding:

• Developers and developer groups
• or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
• that are based in Hamburg 
• or who are relocating their headquarters to Hamburg
• or are opening a branch/operating facility in Hamburg

A consultation with Gamecity Hamburg is mandatory and is recommended at least two weeks before the submission deadline to optimally prepare for the application. All information on the application, a comprehensive FAQ and required templates can be found at: https://gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/apply-now/.

The awarding committee consists of Valentina Birke (Director Indie Arena Booth), Jonas Hüsges (COO, Daedalic Entertainment), Nina Müller (VP Publishing & Development Services, Goodgame Studios), Michael Schade (CEO & Co-Founder ROCKFISH Games) und Dennis Schoubye (Head of Gamecity Hamburg). After the end of the application phase, the committee will meet on April 28 and decide on the allocation of funding based on the applications and a subsequent pitch by the applicants on May 5.

Projects from previous Prototype Funding rounds:

Projects from previous Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding rounds have celebrated notable success. For example, the narrative science fiction adventure “Misgiven” by Symmetry Break Studio, which was part of the Games Lift Incubator 2021 and part of the Prototype Funding 2022, received the Young Talent Award Best Prototype at the German Computer Game Award 2024 (Deutscher Computerspielpreis).

In the same year, the co-op shooter “Replicore” by Amberdive Entertainment, which went through the Games Lift Incubator in 2022 and Prototype Funding in 2023, was also nominated in the same category. As runner-up, the team received prize money of 25,000 euros.

The cozy exploration game “Map Map - A Game About Maps” by Pipapo Games was part of the Games Lift Incubator 2023 and the Prototype Funding 2024. The team won the Ubisoft Newcomer Award at the German Developer Award 2024.

All previous funding recipients and teams can be found on our website:

https://gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/#All_Projects.

Further games industry funding programs from Gamecity Hamburg 

Every year, the Games Lift Incubator supports five teams, developers and start-ups in developing digital games and tailoring them to the market needs. In addition to 15,000 euros in start-up funding, the recipients receive a comprehensive coaching and mentoring program with experienced international experts as well as workshops and subsequent individual support. The application phase for Games Lift 2025 will run from May 2 to June 10.

Further information can be found at:

https://gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/

Interested parties are cordially invited to join the Gamecity Hamburg Discord server: https://discord.gg/gamecityhamburg  

News on our Prototype Funding and other topics regarding the games industry can be found in the monthly Gamecity Hamburg newsletter:

https://gamecity-hamburg.de/newsletter/.

For further information and questions please contact:

Senta Gohr                                        Anna Jäger

Gamecity Hamburg                            Gamecity Hamburg

PR Manager                                       PR Manager

T +49 40 23 72 435- 74                       +49 40 23 72 435 - 78

senta.gohr@gamecity-hamburg.de   anna.jaeger@gamecity-hamburg.de

About Gamecity Hamburg

Gamecity Hamburg supports, connects and makes the gaming hub Hamburg visible. The aim is to improve the general conditions for companies and founders of the games value chain in the city, to support them in their further development and to anchor Hamburg in the public perception as one of the leading games locations in Germany. Gamecity Hamburg is the contact point for Hamburg's games funding as well as the Games Lift Incubator and also offers programs, events, and services in close cooperation with the games industry to strengthen local developers. At the same time, the exchange of knowledge within the sector and with other industries is promoted. The promotion of young talent, the development of new formats that activate the strong network of games companies in the city, and internationalization are the focus of the location initiative's activities. Gamecity Hamburg is part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft.

About the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft 

Since its foundation in 2010, Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft has seen itself as a central contact point for all players in Hamburg's creative industries from the eleven sub-markets of architecture, visual arts, design, film, literature, music, press, radio, software/games, theatre/dance, and advertising. It supports creative professionals with contemporary services and promotes innovation within the framework of the "Cross-Innovation Hub" project. Since 2017 the industry-specific initiatives Gamecity Hamburg, nextMedia.Hamburg and Design Zentrum are part of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft mbH.