The Games Syndicate Cologne e.V. held its much-anticipated kick-off event in Cologne earlier this Spring, at XPERION Germany, one of the first partners to join the association.
This event, sponsored by EIT Culture & Creativity marked a significant milestone for the local games industry, bringing together over 100 guests, including young teams from the Starter Game Foundry, industry experts, and enthusiastic supporters. As EIT Culture & Creativity, we were proud to be part of this event, reinforcing our commitment to fostering strong networks that drive the cultural and creative sectors forward.
Our strategic investments and support for initiatives like the Games Syndicate Cologne are part of our broader mission to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries. We recognise the potential for leadership within the European gaming industry and are dedicated to creating an environment where innovation, start-ups and scale-ups can thrive.
The atmosphere was electric as doors opened on the event, welcoming the first guests. The event was a culmination of a year’s hard work, involving countless hours of dedication from colleagues, industry partners, and friends. The support from KölnBusiness – the Economic Development Agency of Cologne – was instrumental in making this event possible. Their recognition of the potential and commitment within the games industry provided the spirit for innovative ideas to flourish. The kick-off event was a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of the Cologne games industry as it included industry recognised speakers such as game designer Bernd Lehahn, Denise Bieber, Nicole Schneiderwind, art director of Spoonful Games, Stephan Reichart, Karolin Klischan, and business developer Roland Hettwer.
“The time has come, the association can start its activities!” says Christoph Kohlhaas, Innovation Manager Games and E-Sport KolnBusiness. “Together with our partner EIT Culture & Creativity, we have put together a top-class programme with plenty of time for networking. We as an association have a lot of plans and want to be there for the industry. So we are all the more pleased that we were able to include 6 teams from the Game Starter Foundry, who were exhibiting their latest games and products on site.”
Pictured: Attendees at the Games Syndicate Cologne kick-off event.
Fostering growth networks
At EIT Culture & Creativity, we believe in the transformative power of networks. Our presence and sponsorship of the Games Syndicate Cologne kick-off event highlight our commitment to supporting the European gaming industry. This is not an isolated initiative; we support the gaming sector in the region and beyond, presenting our programmes in activities like the German Developers Awards, Nordic Games, GamesCom, and more. By fostering connections and facilitating collaboration, we aim to address common challenges such as high bureaucracy, complex legal frameworks, and limited funding that affect not only the gaming sector but other creative industries as well.
Launching opportunities for the sector
EIT Culture & Creativity offers a range of support mechanisms, including our recently launched calls for Acceleration and Post-Acceleration programmes, as well as calls to fund innovations and train talent in the sector. These initiatives are designed to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for startups, scale-ups and established studios to succeed.
For more information on how EIT Culture & Creativity can support your endeavors in the gaming sector, please visit our Strategic Agenda.
Together, we can build a stronger, more interconnected ecosystem that drives innovation and growth across Europe’s cultural and creative industries.
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