CODE FUNDING IS NOW AVAILABLE
CODE Funding aims to support the Ōtepoti Dunedin game development ecosystem by assisting diverse creators and studios to develop digital game prototypes, found new studios or expand existing companies’ ambitions.
CODE is funded by the Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, with an explicit remit to build the capacity of individuals and entities to drive innovation, revenue and jobs in the local game development sector, which is why funding is limited to Dunedin-based ventures.
CODE has now introduced Travel Grants, a new form of grant that we will be implementing two rounds of per annum. Click here to find out more.
KickStart and StartUp funding
The Fifth Round of CODE KickStart and StartUp funding- Round 2, 2022 is currently in progress.
Details of the results for the previous rounds of CODE Funding can be found here.
HOW TO APPLY
Click on the Expression of Interest buttons to lodge an EOI. Kickstart and StartUp are available twice a year in a round format, where as ScaleUp and Service Start are on-demand and available to apply for at any time (subject to CODE discretion).
Expressions of Interest is currently closed and will reopen February 2023.
See the CODE Game Design Document template for assessment requirements.
AVAILABLE FUNDS
KICKSTART
Range: $10,000 - $40,000
Are you a Dunedin-based individual and/or small team wanting to create innovative, working game prototypes that have “found the fun” – with a functioning core gameplay loop ready to attract further funding or external investment?
If you think this is you, check out the KickStart Funding Summary of Information and Terms and Conditions.
Expressions of Interest is currently closed and will reopen February 2023.
STARTUP
Range: $50,000 - $150,000
Perhaps you have extensive experience working for a gamedev company and are now looking to travel under your own steam. Perhaps you have an indigenous story to tell interactively. Perhaps you have worked with one or two other experienced devs for a while on outside-of-work projects or game jams, and you want to coalesce as a partnership to realise a shared vision with great commercial prospects. Perhaps you have launched, failed and learned from a previous self-funded venture. Maybe you’re a more senior academic with a serious game idea ripe for commercialisation.
We want to help talented people with vision, from a diverse range of backgrounds, start great games companies in Dunedin.
If you think this is you, check out the Start Up Funding Summary of Information and Terms and Conditions.
Expressions of Interest is currently closed and will reopen February 2023.
SCALEUP
Range: $75,000 - $250,000
Have you already tasted success and are carefully weighing up the return from increasing ambition versus the risk of overstretching? We want to talk to any company in the games arena with ambition, to help with stretch goals that lead to more employment in Dunedin and add value to the wider economy here, for example with pass on benefits for local partners. You are also putting your money where your mouth is – we expect to see matched funding on a sliding scale from yourselves or outside investors.
If you think this is you, check out the ScaleUp Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.
Submit your Expression of Interest anytime.
SERVICE START
Range: $10,000 - $50,000
We are aiming to support new or young businesses in the video game industry that are providing tools or technical services for game developers – aside from CODE’s usual game content funding programmes. These businesses can provide employment, build community capability, and create new pathways for recent graduates into the globally-expanding video game industry.
If you think this is you, check out the Service Start Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.
TRAVEL GRANTS
Range: Up to $8,000
Game developers reach a point where they are looking for commercialisation partners, need to build external relationships both nationally and internationally and may be seeking international publishing engagements. The reality is that even with the world of online pitching over apps like Zoom or Teams, with the world re-opening, pitching at large industry events has returned and these events offer a concentration of influential potential partners. We are looking to support Dunedin based teams to achieve commercialisation outcomes by supporting them with travel grants.
CODE Travel Grants are a new form of grant that we will be implementing two rounds of per annum.
Expressions of interest will be open from 3rd November 2022 until, close of business 17th November 2022.
If you think this is you, please check the Travel Grant Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.
CODE SUPPORTED PROJECTS
