Funding programmes for the games industry
Games funding is available from a number of official sources in Germany. Here, we provide an overview of the various funding measures and institutions.
The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has offered funding for the development of game prototypes and the production of computer games since 2019. The ministry’s division for funding initiatives and data innovation (DG 21) answers developers’ questions on organisational, specialist and business management matters. E-mail: games[at]bmvi.bund.de
Many German states and the European Union also offer funding for game development. Funding is additionally available to companies and company founders.
We will be happy to answer any general questions you may have with respect to funding. The following is a selection of institutions and the respective contact partners:
Start-up funding
supports academics in translating their idea into a business plan.
ptj-exist-gruenderstipendium[at]fz-juelich.de
for all start-ups currently seeking an investor. Your business angels are reimbursed for 20% of their investment when they provide your start-up with at least 10,000 euros (max. 1 million euros/year). INVEST reduces the risk of making equity investments.
Further information: download brochure
KfW provides loans – ‘StartGeld’, ‘Capital for Start-ups’ and ‘Universal’ – to support founders and small and medium-sized businesses from the start-up phase to participation in trade fairs.
a launch solution, though at a high interest rate (9.9%), for start-ups without backing from a credit institution.
conceived as a partner for financing, networking and support for your innovative business idea.
Awards
The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and game – the German Games Industry Association give out the German Computer Games Awards (DCP), with support from the Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur (Digital Games Culture Foundation). Cash prizes totalling 590,000 euros were awarded in 2020.