Fresh Start Pathway

What is the Fresh Start Pathway?

As part of the Starter Fund, the Fresh Start Pathway offers graduate games dev studios and early stage companies (registered with Companies House and active as trading) the unique opportunity to access funding, engage with learning and make new connections all under the banner of support from the UK Games Fund.

We know from running the highly respected Tranzfuser programme what works to best support early, eager-to-grow, entrepreneurial, graduate games companies, so they can make the most of their talent and passion.

With grants of £20,000 available for own-IP development; a pathway offering a structured programme of professional support; and a direct link to the Prototype Fund, the Starter Fund is the perfect route into the UK Games Fund for graduate, very early stage, and solo developers.

What does the Fresh Start Pathway involve?

Securing an award from the Starter Fund is essentially a pre-cursor to applying to the Prototype Fund. Awards are intended to allow the applicant an opportunity to continue their early development work in the context of validating a potential audience, a development and growth plan, development team formation and a game concept. Applicants who meet the Fresh Start Pathway criteria will embark on a structured programme of business support with industry expert facilitation, market guidance, audience development work, and network building.

Who is the Fresh Start Pathway for?

The Fresh Start Pathway is for early stage studios and university graduate companies who have drive, passion and a professional commitment to learn.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Have an idea for an exciting, innovative game, and may have some early concept work. You may have an early demo or other visual pre-production work.
  • Have a minimum of one founder or director and a good understanding of the roles needed to progress development.
  • Be working with at least one contractor, collaborator, or employee (even if part-time or freelance).
  • Be based in the UK and have a UK company bank account.
  • Be able to demonstrate a clear intention to grow your business.
  • Be open to learning, feedback, and trying new approaches.
  • Want to professionalise how your business runs (e.g. getting clearer on finances, operations, positioning, etc.).
  • University graduate companies are defined for the purposes of the Fresh Start Pathway as having graduated no more than three years prior to application. This means the studio founders have been awarded an undergraduate, first academic degree or masters / other postgraduate degree.

Preferred Traits

It’s a bonus if you:

  • Show strong drive and initiative – you make things happen.
  • Are already thinking about how to grow (new markets, clients, products, income streams, etc.).
  • Have experience working with others (freelancers, collaborators, small teams).
  • Are curious and adaptable – open to new ideas and ways of working.
  • Have a sense of where you want to take your business long-term.

Applications Now Open!