EU Funding for game developers in 2017

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EU Funding for game developers in 2017

1.1 Grants

1.1.1 Creative Europe Funding for video game development

  • To who:Any game developer developing a video game concept or project presenting
    • high level of originality, innovative and creative value, cultural diversity and enhanced Europe’s cultural identity and heritage compared to existing mainstream works;
    • high level of commercial ambition and extensive cross-border potential able to reach European and international markets. 
  • How much funding is available:
    • between EUR 10.000 and EUR 150.000 for developing a concept or a project (activities to the point that the concept leads to a playable prototype or trial version) for a Video Game of highly innovative and creative narrative storytelling games designed for commercial exploitation for PCs, consoles, mobile devices, tablets, smart phones and other technologies. 
  • What is the funding rate:
    • 50%
  • Other key requirements (tbc):
    • The applicant has to:
      • be a European video game production company
      • have been legally constituted for at least 12 months prior to the date of application
      • be established in and owned by nationals from countries participating in the MEDIA sub-programme
      • must prove it has produced a previous video game that has been commercially distributed during two calendar years preceding the publication of the Call for Proposals
    • Furthermore, the applicant must
      • prove it has produced a previous video game that has been commercially distributed during two calendar years preceding the publication of the Call for Proposal.
      • be developing a narrative storytelling game, not a puzzle, memory, sports, racing, running, rhythm/dancing/singing, social, quiz, party, versus-fighting, word or spelling, number or mind game.
      • be developing a game, no promotional material, multimedia art, interactive animation, development tools etc.
      • own the majority of rights related to the submitted project
    • No requirements for platform or expected distribution method, but in all cases the game must be intended for commercial exploitation.
  • Deadline 2.3.2017
  • For more information visit: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/node/1643

1.1.2 Horizon2020

In this summary RIA refers to a Research and Innovation Action, IA to an Innovation action and CSA to a Coordination and Support Action.

1.1.2.1  Potential Horizon2020 funding for all game developers:

  • SMEInst-01-2016-2017- Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
    • To who:
      • A game developer focusing on disruptive innovation and fast market up-take. In particular it will be interesting for entrepreneurs and young innovative SMEs, including start-ups that are looking for swift support to their innovative ideas.
    • How much funding is available:
      • a lump sum of EUR 50.000 in phase 1 and EUR 0.5 and 2.5 million EU contribution in Phase 2
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least one SME
      • Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU Member States or Horizon 2020 associated countries
      • No concurrent submission or implementation with another SME instrument phase 1 or phase 2 project
    • Upcoming deadlines:
    • ICT-20-2017: Tools for smart digital content in the creative industries
      • To who: RIA and IA, A game developer or a middleware developer focusing on technologies for the production of new content or for the enhancement and (re-)use of already existing digital content of any type. The production or acquisition of the content itself is not to be financed through these actions.
      • How much funding is available: between EUR 2 and 4 million EU contribution
      • Other key requirements: 
        • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
        • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
      • Deadline: 25 April 2017 17:00:00
      • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/ict-20-2017.html
  • ICT-23-2017: Interfaces for accessibility 
    • To who:
      • (A) RIA, A game developer wiling to focus on the development of intelligent, affordable and personalised interfaces and affective computing for people with cognitive disabilities OR A neurogame developer focusing on developing and testing solutions, models and algorithms to improve (and act upon) information extraction from brain and neural signals, including through advances on state of the art electrodes and implantable devices.
      • (B) IA, a online game developer willing to focus on developing and demonstrating decision support tools for the assessment of compliance to web sites accessibility standards and guidelines
    • How much funding is available: about EUR 2 million contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 25 April 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/ict-23-2017.html
  • DS-08-2017: Privacy, Data Protection, Digital Identities
    • To who: IA, A game developr or a middleware developer wiling to focus on novel designs and tools to provide users with the functionality they require without exposing any more information than necessary, and without losing control over their data, to any third parties OR tools and methods to assist organisations to implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) taking into account the final provisions of GDPR and guidance from relevant authorities OR develop innovative, secure and privacy enhancing digital identity platforms beyond national eID systems.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 2 and 3 million contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadline: 24 August 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/ds-08-2017.html


1.1.2.2 Potential Horizon2020 funding calls for serious game developers:

  • SMEInst-06-2016-2017 – Accelerating market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well
    • To who: A health game developer focusing on disruptive innovation and fast market up- take in ICT for health, wellbeing and ageing well. In particular it will be interesting for SMEs and young companies that are looking for swift support to their innovative ideas.
    • How much funding is available: a lump sum of EUR 50.000 in phase 1 and EUR 0.5 and 2.5 million EU contribution in Phase 2
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least one SME
      • Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU Member States or Horizon 2020 associated countries
      • No concurrent submission or implementation with another SME instrument phase 1 or phase 2 project
    • Upcoming deadlines:
  • SFS-39-2017: How to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic?
    • To who: RIA, A health game developer willing to focus on innovative and efficient strategies, tools and/or programmes for promoting sustainable and healthy dietary behaviours and lifestyles.
    • How much funding is available: up to EUR 10 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other
    • Deadlines:
      • Stage 1: 14 February 2017 17:00:00
      • Stage 2: 13 September 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/sfs-39-2017.html
  • SC1-PM-15-2017: Personalised coaching for well-being and care of people as they age
    • To who: RIA, IA, A health game developer willing to focus on develop a proof of concept of radically new solutions for a personalised ”virtual coach”, building upon intelligent ICT environments, access to relevant physiological and behavioural data, new forms of accessible interaction based on tangible user interaction concepts, open platforms and emotional computing. Usability and ease of user interaction should be essential design elements of the ”coach”.
    • How much funding is available: between EUR 3 and 4 million EU contribution
    • Other key requirements:
      • At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country.
      • All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
    • Deadlines: 31 January 2017 17:00:00
    • For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/sc1-pm-15-2017.html

 

1.2 Investment and loans

The European Union has number of different loan and investment instruments. Most of these instruments are targeted for financial intermediaries providing funding for companies. If you are looking for an investment or loans, you can find your local financial intermediaries trough this portal. The same portal also provides information about direct loans from European Investment Banks for big corporations.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/funding-grants/access-to-finance/search/en/