tentaclezone incubator
4 month virtual games incubator programme for early stage developers from underrepresented groups (zero cost to participants).
Programme dates: June 2022 – Sept 2022
Application Window: Application for 2022 is now closed. Click the button below to meet our cohort this year!
tentaclezone incubator
4 month virtual games incubator programme for early stage developers from underrepresented groups (zero cost to participants).
Programme dates: June 2022 – Sept 2022
Application Window: Application for 2022 is now closed. Click the button below to meet our cohorts this year!
Featuring ten titles from early stage development to upcoming launches, the incubator showcase has just a selection of presentations from the founders as they introduce their games.
The line-up includes:
Wholesome – Out and About | Nature life sim,
Yaldi Games
Schrodinger’s Catgirl | Mystery adventure game
Spider Lily Studios
Maive | Narrative adventure game
Flightful Pear
Days Lost | Mystery adventure game
Wordplay Games
Growbot | 2D robot adventure
Wabisabi Play
Sea of Leaves | Contemplative PC and console game
The Sea and the Forest
As yet untitled | 2D narrative puzzle game
Clockwork Raven Studios
Tap Tricks | One button skateboard game
BBBlaster | rogue-lite space shooter with dogs
Gesinimo Games
Squishy Sports | 2D party game
MADE BY TITANS
Hosted by award-winning presenter and journalist, Elle Osili-Wood
Our mission to drive positive change
In 2021, Payload Studios launched the first iteration of the Tentacle Zone Incubator. We had initially planned to support 10 founders from underrepresented backgrounds, but the application quality was so high that we ended up with a cohort of 12 fantastic founders. This year, we welcome a fantastic new partner for the incubator, Steve Bromley from Playtest Kit. Thanks to their support, we are able to continue ensuring that there is no cost to participating in the programme – welcome on board!
The 2021 cohort remains in touch through accountability groups and within our alumni network, and many of them will be buddying up with founders for 2022.
We are particularly interested in applications from underrepresented groups including, but not limited to POC, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, underrepresented genders (cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary and and other non-cisgender identities), disabilities and neurodiversities.
By partnering with likeminded industry partners, we hope that this games incubator programme will be an opportunity to leverage our Tentacle Zone initiative to enact positive change within our studio and the wider industry.
We know that we don’t always get it right and the journey to achieve a more inclusive industry is a long one, but it’s one that we believe in and are committed to.
With the support of our partners, Payload Studios and Steve Bromley, we are offering places on the incubator programme completely free of charge to indies. We welcome applications from early stage founders who are from one or more underrepresented groups including:
POC (people of colour)
Lower socioeconomic backgrounds
Underrepresented genders (cis women, non-binary, trans women, trans men and other non-cisgender identities)
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals with neurodiversities
LGBTQ+
Applicants are encouraged from the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, between the BST and +4 hours time zone.
What we offer
The programme will include five tracks and be co-curated with participants, industry and our academic partner.
Business & Finance
Team Building
Design, Development & Production
Marketing & PR
Pitching & Public Speaking Support
Business & Finance
Team Building
Design, Development & Production
Marketing & PR
Pitching & Public Speaking Support
What you’ll get out of it
We want to strap a rocket to your business and help you with technical know-how, mentoring and connections throughout the programme. As places are sponsored, there will be no cost to you for joining the programme.
Weekly engagement with industry experts across 5 tracks
CPD certification awarded via University of Greenwich
Access to publishers and investors
Access to mentors
Peer-to-peer learning with cohort and existing Tentacle Zone residents
Virtual community, recorded sessions and supporting materials
The application process
The application for the Tentacle Zone incubator programme 2022 is now closed
Fill in application form
Shortlisting & panel review
All applicants notified of decision
Successful applicants join incubator
Fill in application form
Shortlisting & panel review
All applicants notified of decision
Successful applicants join incubator
Mentors & Industry Facilitators
Many of the industry mentors and tutors who helped make 2021’s programme a success are joining us again, and we also have some new additions for 2022. We could not deliver a strong programme without them!
Darrenlloyd Gent
Programme Leader and Principal Lecturer, Games and Digital Media at University of Greenwich
FAQs
No, it is completely free, there is no cost for participants on the programme.
This is our second year running the incubator programme which is focused on early stage founders from underrepresented groups. Ideally this will be those that are working on their very first game and need focused support and networks to help take their business/game to the next stage.
Applicants are encouraged from the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, between the GMT and +4 hours time zone.
The Ukie Games Industry Census 2020 highlighted key underrepresented groups within the UK games industry. We are interested in applications from founders who identify with one or more underrepresented groups such as POC, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, underrepresented genders (cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary and other non-cisgender identities), LGBTQ+, disabilities and neurodiversities.
This list is not exhaustive and we will not always get it right, if there is a group missing, please contact us at nisha@tentacle.zone.
Absolutely! We already have an existing community of Tentacle Zone residents who benefit from a weekly programme of support and who will also have access to the incubator when it is launched. We believe that the peer-to-peer learning within the cohort and regular contact with more established companies will enable more knowledge sharing to benefit participants. Please contact us on hello@tentacle.zone.
You can find out more in the mentors and tutors section, but we are lucky enough to have a diverse range of industry folks who will contribute to all elements of the programme. These includes our partners, individuals from Payload Studios (creators of TerraTech), as well as contribution from our existing Tentacle Zone Residents who are based in our co-working space in London. We also have a number of industry professionals who are passionate about diversity and inclusion and who have, themselves, faced challenges (being part of underrepresented groups) either running businesses or working in the games industry.
The key dates are:
With the support of our industry partners, we are able to ensure there is no cost for participants in the programme. However, we aren’t able to offer any further financial support and we do not take equity in any of the businesses. We are not a publisher or an investor, we are just trying to help you on your indie journey.
We expect founders to be available, and participate in 1-2 hour live sessions (delivered virtually) each week with an additional 2 hours for time with 1-2-1 experts, the rest of the cohort or mentors.
If you must miss a session, we will record the content where possible and will make these available to all participants right after the session.
Please see ‘what you’ll get out of the programme’ for more information. Aside from a practical toolkit and industry connections, we want to strap a rocket to your business and help you make progress with your game and business growth. You will also receive CPD certification via the University of Greenwich.
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and is the term used to describe the learning activities professionals & students engage in to develop and enhance their abilities. It enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and reactive.
Engaging in Continuing Professional Development ensures that both academic and practical qualifications do not become out-dated or obsolete; allowing individuals to continually ‘up skill’ or ‘re-skill’ themselves, regardless of occupation, age or educational level.
You can find the application form here! For any accessibility issues with the application, please contact nisha@tentacle.zone.
Please email Nisha at nisha@tentacle.zone for any further queries!
If you have any further questions, please contact incubator@tentacle.zone for more information.
Apply here!
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