UKIE Collaborates with Tencent to Drive Video Game Industry Expansion

The UKIE, a prominent trade body for the UK games industry, has joined forces with Tencent, the Department for Business and Trade, and Player One Consulting to launch the second year of its Video Games Growth Programme. This initiative aims to empower ambitious studios across the UK to achieve both creative and commercial growth. The programme's return was announced on September 2, 2025, after a successful inaugural year in 2024, which saw 27 studios graduate. This year, the programme offers two bespoke pathways for studios: an accelerator track for emerging studios poised for significant growth and a scale-up track for established companies with high growth potential seeking further expansion. Mark Maslowicz, Vice President of Partnerships and Investments at Tencent, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the programme's second year, citing the UK's position as the largest video games market in Europe, worth over £7 billion and engaging more than half the population. By supporting early-stage studios, the UK is well-positioned to shape the future of the industry and cement its status as a global hub for game development. According to UKIE, participating studios will benefit from expert-led sessions, hands-on mentorship, and access to investors. The programme's curriculum covers critical areas for long-term success, including funding, team and operations management, business strategy, and international market expansion. Nick Poole, CEO of UKIE, expressed his delight at launching the second year of the programme, which provides tailored mentorship, expert insights, and hands-on support to empower the next generation of start-ups and scale-ups. Applications for this year's programme open on September 15, 2025, and close on October 20, 2025. Interested studios can find more information here.