Games Lift: Incubator Teams in Hamburg 2022

The Games Lift Incubator, an initiative managed by Gamecity Hamburg on behalf of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, serves as a specialized support program for regional game developers. Its primary objective is to accelerate the professional development of promising game projects by providing financial resources, expert mentorship, and infrastructure. In 2022, the program entered its third year, selecting five teams from a competitive pool of 21 applicants to participate in a three-month intensive curriculum.

Selected teams receive 15,000 euros in funding, dedicated co-working space in Hamburg, and access to a network of over 30 international industry experts. The program curriculum covers critical business and creative milestones, including game design, product development, marketing, public relations, and business formation. A notable addition to the 2022 program was the inclusion of specialized workshops on game art. Following the initial three-month phase, participants continue to receive long-term support, including ongoing coaching and access to a dedicated indie-focused public relations agency for an additional 12 months.

The 2022 cohort featured a diverse range of projects, including physics-based puzzle platformers, touchscreen-optimized action games, farming simulation role-playing games, co-op first-person shooters, and multiplayer party games. The selection process was overseen by an awarding committee comprised of industry leaders and academic experts, who noted a significant increase in both the volume and quality of applications compared to previous years. This incubator remains a cornerstone of Hamburg’s broader strategy to foster local talent, complementing other regional efforts such as the Prototype Funding program, which provides additional non-repayable grants to support the development of digital game prototypes.