A unique accelerator for game development has been launched in the Netherlands in 2018. Episode 2 of the accelerator starts in October 2018.

A maximum of ten young startups will be admitted and invited to come to the city of Groningen to build the game of their dreams. The program offers ample aid* to get you started, including mentorship throughout the year, support in monetization strategies, marketing and more.

The Indietopia Accelerator organises workshops and talks by established developers, pitching sessions with possible clients, investors and publishers offering you many opportunities to present your game to the market. Pitching sessions can also serve as a way to establish first contact with possible clients in order to land work for hire throughout the year.

Whether your product is a serious game, pure entertainment, a tabletop game or that one concept you could never finish: you are invited to send your concept or demo to accelerator@indietopia.org
An independent commission will decide upon admitting the most promising projects.

Admission for the Accelerator episode 2 is open till September 19, 2018. 

*The aid that participants will receive exceeds €45.000, partly paid as a loan (25k spread over one year, including monthly payments, VentureLab support and rent for offices provided through Indiestad Groningen).  

Experience and Academic background – What is your track record? Did you launch a title before or is this your first game? If it is, do not worry but do expect us to check your credentials and experience in the process.

Viability of project– How sure is your idea to succeed on the market? Do you have a game design document set up and good to go? Did you think about monetization strategy and target market?

Unity in your team – Do you and you team members have a history? Is your new team well-adjusted and able to ‘play well’ together?

Contribution to client and society– Companies on the lookout for serious games do not only want a product to fulfill a function or produce data. Games adding multiple layers, including deep gameplay, a dollop of fun and good functionality are more likely to impress clients that look for a team at Indietopia. It helps if your game supports Indietopia’s code of conduct and with it helps society in more than one way.

Art and Sound – Does your game stand out in a crowd? Is your art style distinguished enough to add something new? Most digital distribution networks see thousands of new games published every month. An art style or sound design that stands out has a much bigger chance to catch the customer’s eye.

Innovation and Creativity – The game industry has changed considerably in a very short time. Free to play titles have overtaken paid games in turnover and each segment of the market keeps on shifting. Creativity is still awarded though and it is our job to keep it alive and kicking.

Are you in need of innovation? Would you like to stand out in your market? The professionals participating in our Accelerator can make this happen. Some examples of how serious games can help your business:

• Automate your work processes and make them more fun;
• Train your personnel in a new and motivating way;
• Having consumers interact with your products or services in a virtual environment increases their trust;
• Educate users by playfully showing them your background story;
• Showcase your products or services in a fun virtual environment.

Indietopia’s Accelerator program offers startups professional mentorship throughout the year, support in monetization strategies, marketing and more. The accelerator is powered by VentureLab North.

The Indietopia Accelerator organises workshops and talks by established developers and pitching sessions that make it easy to establish contact. If you would like to work with our motivated professionals, let us know or visit one of the pitching sessions. These will be organised on three occasions throughout the accelerator year. More information can be requested through accelerator@indietopia.org.

We would love to see you at Indietopia!

Mentorship – Throughout the accelerator, teams will be by supported with weekly sessions at VentureLab North. In addition, regular workshops and seminars will be organised. Indietopia will do everything in its power to ensure that inspirational sessions will be available to all participants.

Financial Aid – Teams will receive an amount of € 12,000 in cash, spread throughout the year and paid monthly.

Affordable office space – Rent for your offices will be paid upfront as well, so you can work worry-free.

Branded Games 2.0 is not just a game with a logo, but much more
– We like to walk the extra mile when it comes to creating fun, stimulating experiences. Our teams are motivated to produce enticing titles that provoke brand awareness and achieve success by putting fun first. Games are made from a model inspiring corporate social responsibility, aiming to build player interest first, then present your brand centrally.

Supports the local economy – The Indietopia Accelerator is all about helping the Northern game industry grow and blossom. By choosing to work with one of the developers within our accelerator program, you’ll support the local economy.