Helping Studios Make Games That Gamers Love To Play!
Holistic
- Commercial viability
- Production & development
- Publishing & marketing support
World Class Mentorship
- More than 150 years of collective gaming experience
- Personalized & supportive
- Delivered by DigiPen, world leading gaming academy
Extended Support
- 12 month duration
- Delivered online & face to face
- Support from game idea to launch
Financial Support
- Cash incentives
- Based on milestone achievements
- Sufficient funding to game launch
Level Up Dual Phase Program Approach
Laying Foundations & Accelerating Success
1
Program
Readiness Phase
Laying the Foundations
Objective
Prepare the studio for acceleration & pitch day
How
- Self learning platform access
- In person bootcamp & online mentoring
- Game design & commercial opportunity validation
- Business, financial & production plan validation
- Pitch preparation support for entry to phase 2
- Selection for acceleration phase
2
Studio
Acceleration Phase
Scaling Your Studio
Objective
Execute acceleration plan to game launch
How
- Access to regular incentive payments
- Online & face to face mentoring
- Production support
- Publishing & marketing mentorship
- Access & introductions to publishers & investors
Meet Our Mentors
Raymond Yan
Senior Executive Vice President of DigiPen Institute of Technology & a veteran in digital interactive technology since 1990. Instrumental in establishing Nintendo Software Technology. Notable for expanding DigiPen's global footprint with campuses in Singapore and Spain, & since 2021, pivotal in developing Saudi Arabia's game industry
Dan Licari
Over 25 years helping ambitious & innovative companies in emerging technologies such games & immersive tech, to access funding, partners, & support they need to scale up & enter new markets. Sourced commercial & technology partners for hundreds of development firms, as well as for global brands
David Clark
Over 30 years in the video game industry, a respected video games industry veteran with board-level, marketing, sales and business development experience. Worked for leading publishers in the UK and the USA, was a founding director of Green Man Gaming & has successfully run his own industry consultancy business for some 15 years
Kristina Frolova
Managing Partner & CEO at Global Gaming Hub. Recognized for radical innovation in AI & ML. Supported numerous startups leading ventures to significant exits & unicorn-level successes. Her forte is strategic growth, game launches & global expansion
Joseph Saade
Operations Manager at DigiPen Institute of Technology with over 17 years in the industry. Experience in scaling startup operations, leading production & engineering teams
Samir Abou Samra
CTO International at DigiPen Institute of Technology, an accomplished executive & educator in game development technology, showcasing proven leadership in R&D & game development. Successfully delivered solutions to renowned companies such as The Boeing company, Renault F1, Nintendo software Technology, & Namco
Shawn Pitman
Led Game Design teams for over 20 years. As both a designer and a writer, he's released multiple titles in many genres & platforms for studios big & small
Nusrat Shah
Chartered Certified Accountant since 2000 with over 20 years of global & C-level board experience. Experienced in a wide range of business functions, including operational, financial, HR, compliance, M&A, & change management. Ms. Shah's illustrious career includes a decade as CFO/COO in the Mobile/Video games industry
Vincent Gossoub
Dynamic Founder & CEO of Nifty Craft & the driving force behind Falafel Games as its former CEO & current chairman. Experience in raising funds & scaling gaming studios regionally
Christopher Mifsud
Renowned leader in game design & development, is the CEO of Play On Words Studios & a consultant with Press Start Leadership
Previous Level Up Accelerated Studios
“Level Up has truly opened doors for us as a Studio. Through the program's tailored support and mentorship, we were able to crystalize our strategy, grow our core team, establish our operating model, polish our games, & progress through a clear plan towards our goals”
Hani Hashem CEO, Fahy
“The program was a rocket booster for Starvania, it elevated our studio to new horizons!”
Meaad Aflah CEO, Starvania
“Level Up program has introduced a lot of opportunities for Nomadroid by providing top-notch mentorship & funding to support the growth of our studio, & understanding the business better to continue the journey of developing our next games”
Jawharah Alabdulqader CEO, Nomadroid
“The level up program made me aware of important things that I need to pay attention to so I can move forward”
Heba Atiyah CEO, Gamelt
Application Requirements
Saudi Leadership
Founders must be Saudi nationals
Key Roles/Skills Filled
Studio has designated leads in key disciplines such as game design, production, finance, business development
Commitment
Willing & able to commit to working full-time on building your studio
Game
Already have an MVP, game demo or vertical game slice
Registration Closing Date
02/02/2024