Games London selected me as a mentor for the Game Changer 2024 cohort. I will share my experience in game design, product management and business strategy.
Breaking into the games industry is tough – especially if you’re a founder from an underrepresented background. That’s where Games London’s “Game Changer” programme comes in. Running from August to December each year, it’s a government-funded accelerator designed to help London-based game companies sharpen their business strategy, secure investment, and connect with global opportunities. It sits under the broader Games London umbrella (which also runs the London Games Festival) and is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Game Changer isn’t a casual incubator – it’s a competitive programme tailored for founders ready to grow. Participants gain access to a mix of workshops, masterclasses, and one-to-one mentoring, covering everything from business vision and finance to legal frameworks and marketing. Alongside this training, founders develop their investor pitch and test it in front of real funders at the Game Changer Finance Market. The programme also takes participants abroad – past cohorts have travelled to major events like Slush in Helsinki – giving London studios direct access to international investors and publishers.
The impact is designed to be long-term. Across its first cohorts, Game Changer has supported dozens of London studios spanning console, mobile, VR, wellbeing, and edtech. Over two years, it aims to back 80 companies in total, equipping them not just with funding opportunities but also with the confidence, networks, and practical tools to scale. For many founders who lack connections to traditional investor networks, this can be transformative.
Still, it’s not for everyone. Places are limited, and the programme demands real commitment. But for London-based studios led by founders who are often overlooked, Game Changer represents exactly what its name suggests – a rare chance to level the playing field in a global industry.