Welsh Government and Microsoft launch Greenshoots pilot in Wales

A pilot project aimed at supporting start-up games developers in Wales will see four successful companies get a grant of up to £25,000 to build new titles – and gain access to expert guidance from Microsoft.

It follows a partnership between the Welsh Government and Microsoft to launch a Welsh version of Microsoft’s Greenshoots games development project for start ups.

Microsoft Greenshoots is an incubation programme that Microsoft has been running in cohorts with Creative England over the past two years to provide the game developers with the funding and the support they require to make commercially successful games.

Microsoft has worked with many successful studios in Wales in the past and, with support from the Welsh Government, is now piloting the programme in Wales.

Successful applicants get access to Microsoft’s BizSpark programme that will support the studios with a wealth of development software, expert guidance, technical advice and an introduction to investors.

Under the pilot project, games developers will have to bid for funding and the top four successful developers will each receive a grant of up to £25,000 towards building new titles for the Xbox One, PC and mobile platforms.

The companies will retain their intellectual property and while obligated to build for the Microsoft platform to leverage the technical benefits of the programme, they are also encouraged to build apps on other relevant platforms.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:

“The games industry is worth around £1billion to the UK economy and a rapidly growing key sector within the creative industries in Wales offering well paid sustainable jobs.

“It is an area we are actively supporting through a number of initiatives including this pilot with Microsoft which offers opportunities for successful applicants to work with, and benefit from, one of the industry giants.”

Liam Kelly, General Manager, Developer Experience, Microsoft UK said:

“Microsoft is the vested in the growth of the UK Game Industry and more importantly in the commercial success of the Indie Game Developer community. We are excited to bring Greenshoots to Wales, to see the Welsh Game Developer community benefit from the programme and look forward to seeing new games as they are released.”

The Welsh Government and Microsoft will jointly review applications and select successful applicants by agreement. The closing date for applications is 25th September and games need to be delivered by March 2016 with view to showcasing in May 2016.

Please contact creative.Industries@wales.gov.uk for application forms and further information.