Central Europe

Hamburg Prototype Funding 2021: € 252,000 for 6 games projects in first funding round

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The location initiative Gamecity Hamburg supports six promising games projects with a total of 252,000 euros. The non-repayable grant will enable the selected start-ups from Hamburg to develop prototypes in order to position themselves in the growing global games market. A total of 23 game developers and companies have applied with their projects for the 1st funding round 2021. The quality and number of applications shows the great potential of Hamburg as a games industry hotspot. The application phase for the second funding round 2021 will run from August 30 to October 18.

Dr. Carsten Brosda, Hamburg’s Minister of Culture and Media: “Hamburg is one of the leading games industry hubs in Europe. To maintain this position, the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg provides tailored support to the games industry, through the Prototype Funding program and other measures. It gives studios and developers who plan to start up, settle or open a branch in Hamburg the opportunity to develop and implement their ideas here and thus further strengthens Hamburg as a business location. The projects submitted this year were once again convincing through their multitude as well as their high quality and demonstrated the large potential of the games industry location Hamburg.”

“After we were able to launch the new Hamburg Prototype Funding and our Games Lift Incubator in 2020, this year already shows how well these two funding instruments work together. For example, Crumbling is the first game project to receive prototype funding that has previously successfully completed our incubation program. With the help of feedback from our mentors, the team has made a great leap forward and developed a convincing concept for the game and a marketing plan around an innovative virtual reality game mechanic,”, says Dennis Schoubye, Project Lead Gamecity Hamburg.

The application phase for the funding ran from March 29 to May 17. In an online pitch day, a pre-selection of the best project teams presented their ideas to the awarding committee.

The awarding committee, consisting of Hamburg games industry experts Nina Müller (Head of Publishing Goodgame Studios), Michael Schade (Co-Founder and CEO ROCKFISH Games), Valentina Birke (Project Manager Super Crowd Entertainment), Jens Unrau (Head of Department Media and Digital Economy of the Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg) and Dennis Schoubye (Project Lead Gamecity Hamburg) made the funding decision for the six projects.

In addition to a convincing presentation of the project and team, other criteria such as feasibility, promotion of young talent, location effect and market potential were factored in in the decision. A further prerequisite for funding from the Hamburg Prototype Funding is that the funded teams must be based in Hamburg or relocate to Hamburg if funding is approved, or open a branch office in the city.

The funded projects:

THE INVITATION by tool1 – 60,000 euros
ARC BREAK by SpiceVR – 50,000 euros
Rocket Science GONE WRONG (working title) by James Rucks & Clemens Runge – 48,000 euros
Crumbling by Team Crumbling – 39,782 euros
The Hunt for Epic Treasure (working title) by Elecular – 35,200 euros
Fantasma Ville by Torito Games – 19,140 euros

For the first time, there will be a second round of prototype funding in the current year 2021. Further teams of developers will be able to apply for funding for their project prototypes from August 30.

Further information on the Hamburg Prototype Funding can be found at: https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/

The application phase for the Games Lift Incubator will start on June 21. In this second funding program under the umbrella of Gamecity Hamburg, teams are supported with up to 15,000 euros and a three-month coaching and mentoring program by experienced, international experts from the games industry. All information about the Games Lift Incubator is available at: https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/

BETANO

CT Interactive Partners with Betano.cz for Live Rollout

Published

3 days ago

February 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

ct-interactive-partners-with-betano.cz-for-live-rollout

CT Interactive has unveiled its newest partnership with Betano in the Czech Republic, representing a significant advancement in the firm’s continuous global growth plan.

As a result of this collaboration, a selection of 30 exciting titles is now offered on the Betano.cz platform, enhancing the online gaming experience for players in the area. The collection includes several of CT Interactive’s most favored games, such as Win Storm, Wild Clover, 40 Treasures, Purple Fruits, and The Big Chile.

Through this launch, CT Interactive maintains its emphasis on offering content suited to local player tastes, reinforcing its dedication to delivering high-quality entertainment. The inclusion of these titles is anticipated to improve Betano Czech Republic’s collection, providing players with a varied and engaging gaming atmosphere.

“We are thrilled to extend our reach into the Czech market, which holds significant growth potential,” said Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive. “Our forward-thinking approach and understanding of local player preferences will be key as we work to redefine the online gaming experience in this region. We believe this partnership will create exciting opportunities for players and set a new benchmark for the industry in the Czech Republic.”

Monika Zlateva, Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive, added: “Building on our long-standing and strong relationship with Kaizen Gaiming across multiple markets, this collaboration enables us to deliver a fresh content tailored to player preferences. We are confident that CT Interactive’s titles will resonate with the audience and contribute to the overall gaming experience on Betano.cz.”

The post CT Interactive Partners with Betano.cz for Live Rollout appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group Partners with StarGames

Published

4 days ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

bragg-gaming-group-partners-with-stargames

Bragg Gaming Group has strengthened its presence in the German iGaming market by partnering with StarGames to offer its popular, high-performing slots. Through this partnership, Gamomat games and other titles powered by Bragg are available on the StarGames website.

“At Bragg, we are proud that many of our most popular games have become part of the offering on StarGames – one of the best-known and licensed online arcades in Germany. This collaboration stands for trust, quality, and a shared passion: gaming experiences driven by responsibility and dedication, the Company said.

“Our Powered by Bragg program delivers Gamomat to StarGames, a leading German development studio based in Berlin, which has been creating games since 2008 that are played and appreciated around the world. More than 150 Gamomat titles are now available online, Powered by Bragg – across 35 countries and in 27 languages. From the very beginning, Gamomat has followed one guiding principle: ‘Passion for games and people.’ Gamomat games combine timeless design, strong themes, and modern game mechanics – and this combination finds its perfect home on StarGames.

“StarGames is among the leading brands in the regulated German online gaming market. Together, we offer players a legal, safe, and entertaining experience – featuring many of Gamomat’s most popular titles, including:

Ramses Book – an Egyptian classic with cult status.

Crystal Ball – magic, free spins, and excitement in multiple versions.

Sticky Diamonds – dazzling gems, free spins, and high winning potential.

La Dolce Vita – the sweet life on the reels, complete with Mediterranean flair.

“These and many other slots from Gamomat and other studios distributed by Bragg are firmly established in the StarGames portfolio and enjoy great popularity among German players. Our cooperation with StarGames is built on shared values: fairness, transparency, and responsibility. We share the vision of creating sustainable, high-quality online entertainment for German players. Through this partnership, we can make our portfolio accessible to a wide audience – in an environment that stands for quality and integrity.”

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Central Europe

NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company”

Published

7 days ago

February 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

novomatic-once-again-recognised-as-an-“austrian-leading-company”

NOVOMATIC AG has been recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company” for 2026/2027 by the independent excellence platform Leitbetriebe Austria.

NOVOMATIC has been a certified leading company since 2013 and this prestigious status has now been confirmed once again following a comprehensive screening. The evaluation process, which takes place every two years, ensures that certified companies meet the highest quality standards. Decisive criteria include sustainable corporate goals such as innovation, growth and targeted employee development. As one of Lower Austria’s largest employers and a substantial taxpayer, the international gaming technology group makes a sustainable contribution to Austrian value creation. At the same time, NOVOMATIC is pursuing a long-term ESG strategy that combines economic performance with ecological responsibility and social sustainability.

“Long-term corporate success is based on stability, innovative strength, and a clear sense of responsibility towards employees, society, and the environment. This renewed recertification as a leading company confirms our strategic orientation and our commitment to combining economic strength with sustainable corporate management,” emphasised NOVOMATIC Executive Board Member Stefan Krenn as he received the certificate at the Group’s Lower Austrian headquarters alongside fellow Executive Board Members Ryszard Presch and Johannes Gratzl.

Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria, also emphasised the significance of the award: “For many years, NOVOMATIC has been exemplary in the areas that define a leading company: international technological innovation on the one hand and a clear commitment to its location, employees, and society on the other. With this renewed award, the company is underscoring its role as a stable driving force for the economy and employment in Austria.”

This recertification confirms NOVOMATIC’s position as an economically reliable and responsible company both nationally and internationally.

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