Abertay University named six small UK-based game companies that will receive £25,000 ($40,650) each as part of a prototyping fund meant to kickstart development of games with "exceptional business potential."
Companies that will receive funding from the program's first round include 14 Principles, Bookmarked Games, Dry Ice Studios, FluffyLogic, Setgo and Triple B Games.
Along with the funding, the companies will receive business development support and access to a talent pool of students and graduates who will help with creation of the companies' games.
The six recipients of the funding were chosen from a pool of 57 applicants across the UK. Abertay is inviting "young small and medium-sized" businesses to
apply for the second round of funding, which ends on Friday, April 29.
Bookmarked Games' Jeremiah Alexander said his company will take on four graduates to help with development of his game prototype. "The fund also looks set to be a great launch pad for talented graduates to develop their skills and keep them in the UK. This is vital for the future of the country's games industry," he said.
Abertay University director of business development Paul Durrant said there is a "very high level of interest in the Prototype Fund."
But he added, "We still recognize there are many challenges facing games development start-ups, particularly with self-funded operations which may not have sufficient working capital to apply in the first place."
"We are continuing to work on a follow-on investment fund and are making good progress with that, as well as looking at ways to provide support to graduate start-up businesses pre-application."
Abertay's prototype fund has financial backing from the European Regional Development Fund, the UK Government and Abertay University.
