Six new games firms powered up by new Teesside University accelerator

A new support programme aims to support the next generation of North-East indie games developers to grow.

Six new games studios have been accepted onto Teesside University’s inaugural Power-UP Indie Games Accelerator.

Ready Penguin Go, Omniplay, Infinity 27, Distorted Games, Dog Box Studios, and Cosmic Key have all been accepted onto the accelerator, based at the university’s Launchpad business incubator.

Each of the businesses will receive dedicated studio space for teams of up to 12 staff, PCs and equipment, software and industry-led mentoring and workshops.

Teesside University’s chancellor Paul Drechsler CBE, former president of the CBI, commented “The UK games industry is worth £7 billion to the UK economy and the Tees Valley region has a well-deserved reputation for launching and growing some of the most innovative and exciting companies in the sector.

“This is powered by the work of Teesside University; from helping to provide the graduate talent required by the sector to supporting and nurturing tech entrepreneurs. Through co-working spaces in the University Enterprise Zone and leading on dedicated networks, Teesside invests in providing opportunities for collaboration and ideas generation.

“The Power-UP programme will take this support to the next level and I look forward to seeing these companies go from strength to strength, setting a new benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship and playing a key role in building back better, through the development of knowledge, skills and employment in the region.”

Steve Dougan, head of enterprise at Teesside University, added: “We’re delighted to welcome our first cohort of companies on to the Power-UP Indie Games Accelerator.

“Launchpad has already firmly established itself as a major part of the ecosystem for the region’s tech sector.

“This extra support will enable us to grow this role, helping develop more exciting and creative companies and establishing the region as a fantastic place to live and work.”