Gaming studio for Creative Europe Media programme

An Northern Ireland based game development studio has been selected for the Creative Europe Media programme and given a grant of €150,000 to develop its new computer game, Hortalius.

Brain and Nerd, which has been part of Ulster Bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme since 2019, is one of two Northern Ireland companies to win the highly competitive grant which offers support to the cultural and creative sectors.

The programme provides funding toward the development of ambitious and original video game projects that are innovative, creative and culturally diverse.

The Belfast-based company pitched for the funding with its upcoming narrative game Hortalius, and will now receive a grant of €150,000 to develop an enhanced prototype of the game.

The Creative Europe funding will be joined by support for the project from Northern Ireland Screen, Future Screens NI, and HMRC’s Video Game Tax Relief scheme to provide a total budget of over £270,000 for prototype development.

The studio is now scaling up to a total of 10 staff and is in discussions with several global video game publishers.

Established in 2012, Brain and Nerd is a growing independent game development studio that creates original and ambitious games. Brain and Nerd director Brendan Drain said being part of the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator had helped open doors for the studio.

He continued: “The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that our studio has had to adapt to a fully remote way of working and we’ve found the resources, mentoring and regular video check-ins provided by the Entrepreneur Accelerator helped to keep us motivated during this time.

“Coaching from Gabi, and indeed the wider team has been especially invaluable and part of the reason we’ve managed to stay on the right track.

“In terms of the grant, this funding has been transformative for Brain and Nerd, and thanks to the Entrepreneur Accelerator, we’ve had the support to maximise the potential of any funding opportunity.

“They’re helping us to make the contacts we need as the studio grows, and to pitch for the investment needed to bring the studio to the next level.”

John Ferris, Entrepreneur Development Manager, Ulster Bank, who has worked closely with Brendan and Tina said he was pleased to see the studio achieve this level of success.

He explained: “Having worked with Tina and Brendan for 5 months, it was clear to see they have the passion and drive to succeed and prove that a Belfast-based gaming company can compete alongside other big studios around the world.

“Our role at the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator is to provide entrepreneurs, such as the Brain and Nerd team, with the tools and networks they need to start or scale a business.

“Through our coaching sessions and mentorship programmes we guide established businesses and exciting start-ups alike to reach their full potential, so it’s extremely rewarding to see these companies making waves and enjoying success on the international stage.”

A total of 125 applications were submitted for the Creative Europe scheme this year from across the EU, with Brain and Nerd being one of the top 32 selected for funding.

Another NI studio, Italic Pig also made the final list in what will be the last year UK companies will be eligible for the scheme due to Brexit.

The Creative Europe programme awarded €89.5m to 376 UK-based cultural and creative organisations between 2014 and 2018, but UK companies will not be able to participate in the scheme from 2021 onward.

To learn more about the work of the Ulster Bank Accelerator Programme or to find information about the next application process, visit www.ulsterbank.com/accelerator

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