Starts today with backing from Leeds 'Creative Catalyst' programme.
June 27, 2022
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: Indielab Games
27th June 2022
Indielab Games, a recently launched division of Indielab - the acclaimed provider of growth programmes for the UK’s creative industries – is delighted to announce the cohort for its first ever Games Export Lab, created to drive international business success for games studios based in West Yorkshire.
Games Export Lab, which officially starts today, is supported by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (the LEP) Creative Catalyst programme. Its participants are Bad Reaction, Gas Light, Isokron, Kwizzbit, Vital Culture and Vixentail. Three studios, Isokron, Kwizzbit and Vital Culture, were participants in the inaugural Indieab West Yorks business accelerator programme launched in the region earlier this year, also supported by the LEP.
The Games Export Lab has been established to provide games studios in the region with all they need to prepare an export action plan and ready themselves for international business, including an in-depth knowledge of specific local markets and an enhanced understanding of international consumption trends and new technologies. There will also be a funded opportunity to attend Gamescon, a major industry event, this August. The programme will be delivered over the summer in partnership with UKIE (the association for UK Interactive Entertainment), Game Republic and Yorkshire and Humber Department for International Trade and will comprise a mix of online activities and in-person sessions, held in Leeds.
Adrian Scully from Isokron says: “Indielab runs incredible programmes, packed with inspirational speakers and valuable advice. We learned so much about how to structure and grow our business from the initial West Yorks Indielab growth accelerator that applying for the Games Export Lab programme was a natural next step. The most successful games companies all operate on a global basis, so this will be an invaluable opportunity for us to ready our business and our products to capitalise on opportunities in the international marketplace.”
Victoria Powell, Indielab’s CEO adds: “We have had a wonderful reception to this first ever Games Export Lab and are excited to be supporting games studios in West Yorkshire as they look outwards to the global market. It is good to be working with the LEP once more and we applaud its far-reaching vision for the creative industries in the region.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire concludes: “It’s brilliant to be able to support such a wide range of people in these fantastic games businesses across West Yorkshire. Through the opportunities, experience, and open discussion these programmes offer, it means that we are building the right foundations not only for these businesses to achieve their growth goals, but also to create a network that will live on, beyond the end of each programme.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About The Creative Catalyst
The Creative Catalyst is a £1.5m programme that has been developed to overcome the barriers to growth for creative businesses in Leeds City Region. Delivered by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), the scheme is the first of its kind for this sector. Its approach is centred on both business growth and establishing an ecosystem that will live on beyond programme delivery and support the broader post-pandemic economic recovery of the region. Other aspects of The Creative Catalyst programme include: supporting creative businesses to increase their exports, a mentoring programme for individuals working in the sector and enhancing the vibrancy of the creative ecosystem.
Indielab West Yorks will deliver support to two cohorts across two training pathways over a 12-month period. Workshops will include: defining your USP, developing your growth plan and business vision, growth readiness, innovation and creative leadership, investment readiness and corporate finance. The programme will also include one-to-one coaching and events. The two accelerator pathways will optimise the impact and value of sector-specific accelerator content, as well help generate cross-sector opportunities for learning, business collaboration and growth.
TV production in the UK’s nations and regions is primarily driven by public-sector broadcasters (PSBs). OFCOM, the industry regulator, is now taking concerted steps to hold PSBs to account to ensure they play a key role in strengthening production centres across the nation. This will help create higher volumes of higher value work outside of London and, in turn, develop significant market opportunities for creative businesses in the Leeds City Region.
The LEP works in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help businesses in the region to region grow and become more productive. The Combined Authority works in partnership with local councils and businesses to ensure that the everyone in West Yorkshire benefits from a strong, successful economy and a modern, accessible transport network. By championing the region’s interests nationally and internationally, it secures the investment to deliver better transport and housing, help businesses to grow and create jobs. The aim is for the region to be recognised globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers, and lives.
For more information, visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.
About Indielab
Founded in 2015 by senior TV and Tech sector executive and creative industries leader Victoria Powell, Indielab seeks to promote a sustainable and resilient independent screen sector in the UK and has successfully worked with numerous games studios and TV production companies. Indielab’s programmes equip companies with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to unlock their potential and supercharge growth. Through masterclasses, seminars, panel discussions, networking events, trade missions and one-to-one sessions, companies gain valuable insight into, and training in, a range of subjects, including leadership, commercial innovation, business planning, distribution, revenue-stream maximisation, corporate finance, and export and investment readiness.
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