GamesIndustry.biz is set to moderate a high‑profile panel as part of Game Republic’s Investment Summit, which will take place during the upcoming MCM Comic Con in October 2026. The summit is scheduled for the afternoon of the event, running from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Capital Suite Room 1 at the ExCeL London exhibition centre.
It has been designed as a one‑stop forum for anyone interested in the financial and operational side of the video‑game industry, offering a series of five distinct talks that explore topics ranging from securing funding and navigating development pipelines to building studios that can endure market fluctuations and extracting long‑term value from original intellectual property. The highlight of the afternoon will be the Investment Panel, which will be hosted by Jon Hicks, the editorial director of GamesIndustry.biz, from 4:00 p.m.
to 4:45 p.m. Hicks will be joined by a carefully curated group of industry experts: Lirui Ding of the Transcend Fund, who brings a venture‑capital perspective on emerging game technologies; Nick Cavander from Creative UK, a public‑sector specialist in creative‑industry investment; Ash Habib, co‑founder of Steel City Interactive, who will share insights from the indie development side; and Cassia Curran of the Curran Games Agency, an experienced advisor on studio strategy and publishing deals. Together, they will discuss the current investment climate, what investors are looking for in a pitch, and how developers can position themselves to attract sustainable capital. In addition to the panel, the summit’s agenda includes four other sessions that broaden the conversation: - **12:60 p.m.
– 1:45 p.m.:** Chris Dring of The Game Business will sit down with two legendary figures from the industry: John Romero, co‑founder and original programmer of id Software, and his sister Brenda Romero, a BAFTA‑winning game designer. Their conversation will trace the evolution of game development from the early days of PC shooters to modern narrative‑driven experiences, and will highlight how veteran creators continue to innovate and influence new generations of developers.
- **2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.:** Nicholas Lovell of Split Milk Studios will present “Find Your Goblins: How to Use Community and Kickstarter to Survive and Thrive.” Lovell will outline practical steps for building a passionate community around a project, leveraging crowdfunding platforms to validate concepts, and converting that early enthusiasm into a viable business model that can weather the inevitable challenges of game production. - **2:35 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.:** Representatives from the British Film Institute—Chris Filip, Anna Mansi, and Jordan Allwood—will deliver an update on the UK Global Screen Fund, the Video Game Release Funding scheme, and the BFI’s cultural test for tax relief via the Video Games Enterprise Centre (VGEC).
This briefing will be essential for UK developers seeking to understand how public‑sector funding and tax incentives can be integrated into their financing strategies. - **3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.:** A fireside chat moderated by Helen Johnson of UKIE will feature Eloise Singer, founder and CEO of Singer Studios.
Singer will share her experience in unlocking capital, protecting ownership rights, and building franchise value that endures beyond a single title. The discussion will delve into the importance of structuring deals that preserve creative control while still delivering attractive returns for investors.
Beyond the formal presentations, the summit will also host a series of Meet‑to‑Match networking sessions on October 23 and 24, running from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Capital Room 6.
These pre‑arranged meetings are designed to connect developers, publishers, financiers, and service providers in a focused environment, allowing participants to explore partnership opportunities, pitch projects, and negotiate terms in real time. The day will conclude with a relaxed industry mixer at The Waterfront Restaurant, also located within the ExCeL complex, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This informal setting provides a chance for attendees to unwind, continue conversations sparked during the summit, and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations. For those interested in attending, industry passes can be applied for through the official registration link provided by the organizers.
Separate sign‑up forms are also available for the Investment Summit itself, the broader industry programming, and the evening drinks reception. Whether you are a seasoned studio founder, an emerging indie developer, an investor looking for the next breakout hit, or a service provider seeking new clients, the Investment Summit promises a comprehensive look at the financial mechanics that drive today’s gaming ecosystem and offers actionable insights to help you navigate the path from concept to commercial success.