How to get investment for your video game in 2026

A panel at the Game Republic Investment Summit in London on October 23 featured experts Lirui Ding, Nick Cavander, and Cassia Curran discussing funding strategies for game developers in 2026. They emphasized the importance of diversifying funding sources, such as Kickstarter, government grants, and angel investors, rather than relying solely on publishers. Cavander highlighted government funds like the BFI Global Screen Fund and UK Games Content Fund, as well as Barclays’ Eagle Labs incubator, as viable alternatives.

Curran noted a shift among venture capital firms toward project financing, citing Griffin Gaming Partners’ $100 million fund as an example. She recommended indie developers seek funding from successful peers like Outersloth or Evil Landfall, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the indie community. The panel also discussed the challenges of securing publisher deals, with publishers increasingly favoring games with existing traction or marketing momentum.

Ding stressed that venture capital investors typically seek a 10x return within a decade, making long-term franchise plans less attractive. He advised developers to structure pitches with mechanisms for earlier returns, such as recouping investments through sales or milestones. Curran added that project financing requires detailed go-to-market strategies, including platforms and pricing, unlike equity pitches.

Cavander, representing Creative UK, explained his firm’s focus on venture debt financing, prioritizing the team’s ability to remain solvent. He emphasized assessing the team’s credibility and reasonable financial forecasts over the project itself. Cavander also advised against including detailed marketing strategies in publisher pitches, as publishers prefer to devise their own go-to-market plans.