What Is the UK Games Fund's Starter Fund?

Breaking into professional game development is hard enough, especially when you’ve got to work out how to fund your first project. For solo developers, university graduate studios and very early-stage teams, the UK Games Fund's Starter Fund offers £20,000 grants towards own-IP development, plus a structured pathway of business support.

It's designed as the first step on the UK Games Fund ladder, with a direct route through to the Prototype Fund further down the line. At the time of writing, the Starter Fund is closed to new applicants.

Who is the Starter Fund for?

The Starter Fund is aimed at skilled developers (minimum age 18) with entrepreneurial drive but little or no professional experience running a self-sustaining business. You're likely a good fit if you're:

• A new games development studio with hands-on development experience, but unsure where to start on the business side.
• A UK university graduate company looking to turn a prototype idea into a commercial IP, with an appetite for learning about business and industry development.
• A solo developer working with skilled UK-based contractors, but not yet ready to grow an in-house team.

You'll need a good idea of the game you want to make and a credible plan for making it commercially successful, even if you don't have every answer yet. A proof-of-concept demo or other pre-production work will help your application stand out.

What are the two pathways to the Starter Fund?

There are two routes into the Starter Fund, and which one suits you depends on how much hands-on support you need.

The Fresh Start Pathway is built for those new to self-enterprise, including graduates within three years of finishing university, who have few industry contacts and limited management experience. It comes with access to a facilitator, self-study materials and other support, with the goal of getting you ready to pitch for a Prototype Fund grant once the Starter Fund ends.

The Head Start Pathway suits early-stage studios that already have hands-on commercial development experience and the beginnings of a professional network. You'll work on market validation and audience development during the fund, with the confidence to do this largely without the additional pitch and business development support that comes with Fresh Start.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Before applying, check you meet the baseline requirements:

• Your company must be wholly UK-based, registered at Companies House, with all directors working from the UK.
• You'll need the skills to do your role in the business and a clear passion for the game you're making.
• Previously funded UK Games Fund companies aren't eligible for the Starter Fund. If your studio has had support before, the Prototype Fund or Content Fund may be the right route instead.

The Starter Fund is available to solo developers (with contractors already lined up), early-stage university graduate companies or early-stage start-ups. Established studios will not qualify, even if their specific idea or game is very early stage.

You can only submit one application to a single UK Games Fund programme per financial year, even if you think you could make a case for more than one.

How does the funding work?

If you're successful, the £20,000 grant is paid in two instalments. The first 50% lands within around four weeks of completing your contract, and the remaining 50% follows after a mid-point monitoring check-in.

The funding is for labour costs only, covering UK-based employees and/or contractors working on your funded project. Any other costs, including non-related employment that's supporting you while you build towards full-time commitment, are down to you to cover.

Grantees need to submit progress update reports, but the grant itself doesn't need to be repaid and the UK Games Fund won't take any IP. However, it does ask for a community contribution: time given back to support others in the games development community further down the line.

When can you apply?

At the time of writing, the Starter Fund is closed for new applications, with the most recent application window closing in May 2026. Funded project work from this round is expected to begin in summer 2026, with a touchpoint review later in the year and the option to pitch for Prototype Fund support in early 2027.

The UK Games Fund typically runs the Starter Fund on an annual cycle, so it's worth keeping an eye on the Starter Fund page for when the next round opens, and registering on the UK Games Fund's grant platform in advance so you're ready to apply as soon as it does.

Key takeaways

• The Starter Fund offers £20,000 grants towards own-IP development for solo developers, graduate studios and very early-stage UK companies.
• Fresh Start and Head Start pathways offer different levels of business support depending on your experience.
• Funding covers UK-based labour costs only, paid in two 50% instalments.
• It's designed to lead towards a Prototype Fund application, so it's worth thinking about your route through the wider UK Games Fund programme from the outset.

Securing a Starter Fund grant is only one part of funding your studio. Many UK game developers are also entitled to claim Video Games Expenditure Credit on top of any grant funding they receive, though the interaction between grants and tax relief needs careful handling.

Myriad's team has nearly two decades of experience helping UK games companies get the most from the funding and tax reliefs available to them. If you'd like to talk through how a Starter Fund grant might affect your tax position, or want support with a future UK Games Fund application, contact us to discuss your situation.