Central Europe

Video Game Developers and Start-up Founders: Apply now for the Games Lift Incubator 2021

Published

5 years ago

June 23, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Hamburg-based incubator program “Games Lift” starts its application phase for 2021. Five game developer teams will be supported in creating concepts for digital games with high market potential. The Games Lift incubator premiered successfully in 2020 and is now taking in its second batch of developer teams. In addition to financial support of up to 15,000 euros per team, participants can expect a workshop and mentoring program with international games industry experts as well as workspaces in a co-working space. The applications phase runs until July 26.

“The Games Lift Incubator program leverages a great strength of Hamburg as a games industry hotspot: a broad ecosystem of games companies with experts who actively share their knowledge with up-and-coming teams. Through mentoring, coaching and financial start-up support, the Games Lift Incubator enables young teams to take important leaps towards fleshing out their project ideas. We call to everyone who’s got a great game idea up their sleeve: Take this opportunity to advance your ideas and learn from some of the best in the games industry!”, comments Margarete Schneider, Project Manager for the Games Lift Incubator at the location initiative Gamecity Hamburg.

What happens after the application?

After the application phase, the best applicants pitch their projects to an awarding committee of industry experts. The five teams with the most convincing pitches are accepted into the incubator. For them, the intensive phase of the Games Lift Incubator follows from September to the beginning of December 2021.
After that, Gamecity Hamburg will continue to support the teams for another year with individual coaching by professional consultants and a PR agency specializing in indie games.
During the intensive phase, participants should be able to attend workshops and coaching sessions up to two days per week. Also, all teams admitted to the incubator must either already have their headquarters in Hamburg, or move it to Hamburg.

Until July 26, 2021, applications can be submitted online via https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/. All further important information for applicants can be found there as well.

The awarding committee

The awarding committee consists of five industry experts from successful games companies, the Hamburg Ministry of Culture and Media and Gamecity Hamburg:

Anne Beuttenmüller, Director Marketing EMEA Niantic, Inc.

After several positions at Google, Anne Beuttenmüller became the first employee of the augmented reality pioneer Niantic in Europe. As European head of marketing, she is one of the driving forces behind the success of titles such as Ingress Prime, Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

Wolf Lang, CEO Super Crowd

Wolf Lang is co-founder of Hamburg-based indie studio THREAKS and CEO of event agency Super Crowd, which specializes in the games market. Super Crowd was recently awarded a special prize by the jury of the German Computer Game Award (Deutscher Computerspielpreis) for its virtual trade fair concept Indie Arena Booth Online, which allows indie developers present themselves digitally at the largest European video game exhibition gamescom.

Margarete Schneider, Project Manager Gamecity Hamburg

As a former Senior Product Manager and Head of Sales Department for Hamburg-based publisher and developer Daedalic Entertainment until 2018, Margarete Schneider has built an international network in the games industry and has deep insights into the marketing and distribution channels of video games. At Gamecity Hamburg, she is in charge of the Games Lift program.

Jens Unrau, Head of Department Media and Digital Economy at the Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg

Jens Unrau has been accompanying and supporting the development of the media and digital economy in Hamburg for over 20 years. Since 2003, he has also been the contact person for the Hamburg games industry within the Ministry of Culture and Media. He contributes his accumulated experience as the initiator of the first Hamburg prototype funding program as well as a member of the awarding committee of the new Gamecity Hamburg prototype funding.

Ole Schaper, CEO & CTO Sviper

Ole brings his experience both from developer and management positions at development studios, and as founder and CEO of his own companies. Currently he serves as co-founder, CEO and CTO for the Hamburg-based studio Sviper, which specializes in mobile games. Sviper is best known for the successful game Super Spell Heroes and was recently able to raise a seven-figure sum from international investors.

“I am excited to contribute to the promotion of young developers from Hamburg’s games industry as a member of the incubator’s awarding committee. As a games industry entrepreneur who founded a company in Hamburg myself, I know how valuable support from experienced industry experts can be, especially in the early stages,” says Schaper, who joined the Games Lift Incubator awarding committee in 2021.

Positive summary of the Games Lift Incubator’s first season

Last year, five teams from Hamburg already went through the Games Lift Incubator program successfully, which was then offered for the first time. “We met a lot of great people and noticed how open and accessible everyone in the industry is. You always hear that the market is so highly competitive, but that’s not how it’s lived at all; instead, everyone supports this incubator so that everyone can benefit and develop good games,” reports Ole Jürgensen of his experience. Together with his team, Ole designed the virtual reality game Crumbling in the Games Lift Incubator in 2020. Gamecity Hamburg continues to support the team with subsequent prototype funding in 2021.

Further information

All information about the Games Lift Incubator, including the “How to apply” fact sheet, FAQs and the link to the online application can be found at https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/.

Further funding opportunities through Gamecity Hamburg

In addition to the Games Lift Incubator, Gamecity Hamburg also runs the Hamburg Prototype Funding. In the first funding round 2021, six teams and companies will be supported with a total of 252,000 euros to further develop their concepts into game- and marketable prototypes through this program.
For the first time, there will be a second round of prototype funding this year, for which developers and companies can apply from August 30.

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

Central Europe

Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

endorphina-club-returns-to-host-the-gamingtech-cee-awards-ceremony-&-party-at-hipther-prague-summit-2026

HIPTHER proudly announces the return of the Endorphina Club Awards Party & Ceremony, the official celebration of the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026, taking place on 24 March 2026 at 20:00 at the iconic Buddha Bar Prague.

Organised by Endorphina, the Awards & Party Sponsor of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the evening marks one of the most anticipated moments of the summit’s 10th anniversary edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to celebrate excellence across the Central and Eastern European gaming and technology ecosystem.

This year’s edition continues the successful partnership between HIPTHER and Endorphina, which began in 2023, with the Endorphina Events Team once again curating an unforgettable awards celebration concept and selecting one of Prague’s most elegant venues for the occasion.

A Celebration of Innovation, Community, and Excellence

The GamingTECH CEE Awards shine a spotlight on the companies, products, teams, and individuals shaping the future of gaming and technology across the region.

As part of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across a wide spectrum of categories spanning iGaming innovation, compliance leadership, technological advancement, and industry growth.

The Endorphina Club Awards Party elevates the awards ceremony into a full evening experience, where the community gathers to celebrate achievements in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.

Guests can expect an exclusive evening where sophistication meets the spirit of Asia, featuring premium drinks, vibrant entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of one of Prague’s most iconic venues.

RSVP Required for Summit Participants

All HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 participants who wish to attend the Awards Party are invited to confirm their participation in advance.

To secure a place on the official Endorphina Club guest list, attendees should contact the organiser to RSVP, at:

[email protected]

Due to the exclusive nature of the venue and limited capacity, online RSVP is mandatory.

Celebrating a Continued Partnership

The ongoing collaboration between HIPTHER and Endorphina has become a cherished tradition within the Prague Summit experience, with each edition introducing new creative concepts and memorable venues for the industry’s celebration night.

Commenting on the partnership, Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated: “The GamingTECH CEE Awards have always been about recognising the people and companies who push our industry forward. Over the years, the Endorphina Club celebration has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Prague Summit. It’s a place where competitors turn into collaborators and the community comes together to celebrate innovation, resilience, and creativity. We are thrilled to once again partner with the Endorphina team to host this special evening in one of Prague’s most iconic venues as we mark the summit’s 10-year milestone.”

The Endorphina Club Party for GamingTECH Awards 2026 takes place during the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Praha, gathering regulators, operators, technology providers, affiliates, fintech innovators, and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.

“Prague is our home – and as a Czech company, there’s nowhere we’d rather bring the industry together! Hosting The GamingTECH CEE Awards here isn’t just convenient, it’s personal. That’s why our collaboration with HIPTHER means so much to us: together we get to welcome partners, friends, and colleagues from across the industry to the city that made Endorphina what it is today. The Endorphina Club evening is one of those nights we pour our hearts into-because home games are always the best ones.” — Irina Veselkova, Head of Marketing at Endorphina

Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the summit explores the intersection of technology, regulation, and innovation through expert panels, workshops, and curated networking opportunities.

HIPTHER and the Endorphina Club Awards Party promises to deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, creativity, and spirit of collaboration that define the gaming and tech community.

More information about HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026:
https://hipther.com/events/prague/

The post Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Austria

Blueprint Gaming Strengthens European Reach with Austria Debut on win2day

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

blueprint-gaming-strengthens-european-reach-with-austria-debut-on-win2day

Collaboration allows the UK’s top slot provider to introduce a range of high-performing games to Austria’s sole licensed online gaming platform.

Blueprint Gaming has reinforced its presence in Europe by launching in the Austrian iGaming sector with win2day.

The significant partnership with Austria’s sole regulated operator will allow win2day players to enjoy a selection of Blueprint Gaming’s renowned titles, with Eye of Horus and Cash Strike making up the initial set of available games.

Blueprint has established a solid reputation for providing feature-rich, localized content for various countries throughout the continent, and its newest market entry marks another phase in its ongoing European growth and greater global focus.

win2day is managed by Austrian Lotteries, established over 50 years ago and is the sole licensed online casino operator in Austria. The brand has developed a strong legacy as a reliable name in the market, taking pride in being one of the most accountable players in the industry.

The partnership is poised to enhance the entertainment experience for Austrian players by merging Blueprint’s esteemed status for creating immersive games with engaging mechanics and win2day’s strong market presence.

Samuel Haggblom, Director of Business Development at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Entering Austria with win2day represents a significant milestone in our European growth strategy. As the country’s only licensed online casino operator, it sets the standard for quality and responsibility, and we are proud to see our content launch on such a dynamic platform.

“Our portfolio has consistently delivered strong performance across regulated markets, and we look forward to introducing Austrian players to iconic titles, with more high-performing releases set to follow.”

Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, added: “As Austria’s only licensed online gaming operator, win2day is committed to delivering premium, secure and fully compliant entertainment to our players. With Blueprint Gaming, we are adding a well-established and internationally recognised studio to our portfolio, known for its strong brands and high production standards.

“In close cooperation, we ensure that every title is carefully aligned with Austria’s strict regulatory framework and our comprehensive player protection policies. This guarantees that innovation and entertainment always go hand in hand with responsibility and safety. Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio will be a strong and exciting enhancement to the win2day offering.”

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Alex Green Vice President Games at ZEAL

Wunderino Adds ZEAL’s Premium Slots as Partnership Kicks Off

Published

3 weeks ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

wunderino-adds-zeal’s-premium-slots-as-partnership-kicks-off

ZEAL Instant Games, part of the ZEAL Group and an online gaming provider, has initiated a new partnership with Wunderino, a prominent online slot brand in Germany. As a part of the collaboration, Wunderino is enhancing its entertainment portfolio with a forthcoming increasing range of ZEAL slots. The initial titles are now active and accessible to players on Wunderino.de.

Increased diversity for gamers – enhanced exposure for premium titles.

The new collaboration brings evident benefits for both firms: Wunderino is boosting its online gaming selection with ZEAL content, further solidifying its status as an innovation-focused provider in the German iGaming sector. Simultaneously, ZEAL Instant Games leverages Wunderino’s robust brand visibility and influence, reaching new audiences.

At launch, well-known titles like “The Bookmaker,” “Treasure Volcano,” and “Vegas Blaze” are included in the first batch of games already offered. The objective is to enhance the portfolio by adding more new games in the upcoming months.

Comments regarding the partnership

“With Wunderino, we are gaining a partner that has stood for entertainment, dynamism, and a strong brand identity for many years,” says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. “Integrating our titles into one of the most popular platforms in Germany is another important step in making our portfolio accessible to even more players and driving our strategic expansion.”

Wunderino adds: “ZEAL Instant Games stands for creative content, high quality, and reliable performance – all values that perfectly match our brand,” says Susanne Forsman, Group Chief Gaming Officer at Wunderino. “The new ZEAL slots will help enrich our offerings and provide our users with additional exciting experiences. We are very excited about the joint launch and what lies ahead.”

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