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Design

Game Design Emerging Talents: SwissGames Showcase mentorship programme

Applications can be submitted from: 1 July

Target group
Practitioner with connection to Switzerland
Submission deadline
1 September, 23:59 (CEST)

What

A selection of game developers or game studios receive online coaching from an international expert for one year to finalise a prototype. The development of the prototype is supported by a financial contribution. In addition, participants gain access to input talks, international platforms and a large international network of publishers and investors.

For Whom

Emerging Talents’ are game developers who were trained in a specific field or who founded a company (as a legal entity) less than seven years ago.

Selection Criteria

  • Digital content for devices such as computers, game consoles, mobile devices or devices for mixed reality that require a high level of interaction and have a major impact on the content
  • Clearly defined objectives for participation
  • Originality, feasibility, degree of innovation and marketability of the project
  • Copyright and rights of use are held by the project owner

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

  • CHF 6,000
  • Individual coaching and input talks for project development, business strategy and finances, marketing & PR and pitch training
  • Curated matchmaking and access to international trade fairs

When participating in international trade fairs, game designers with childcare responsibilities can apply for financial support of up to CHF 250 per week as a contribution to childcare or for the travel expenses of their children and, if necessary, a carer. This also applies if the child/children stay at home and are cared for. Applicants must present a budget of all expenses in advance.

Content Of Application

  • Short description of the game, including information on type and genre, gameplay, platform, development status and target audience (max. 10 A4 pages)
  • Expectations and goals of participation in the showcase
  • Playable prototype and relevant images
  • CV of the individuals involved
  • Proof of status as an Emerging Talent: diploma or proof of company registration
  • Press kit

All documents must in principle be submitted in English.

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

The following are excluded:

  • commissioned work and projects that are part of an advertising campaign or for promotional purposes
  • purely technological projects without an obvious narrative and/or aesthetic content

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Applications can be submitted from1 July
Submission deadline1 September, 23:59 (CEST)
Notification of decisionOctober

Additional Information

  • The selection is made by a panel of experts.
  • The selected projects will be developed within 12 months; the programme will start in January and finish in December.

Participation in international trade fairs

  • The applicant must attend the trade fair with at least two people to ensure a presence at the stand and networking at the event

  • It is also possible to participate without presence at a stand (please note this in your application)

Applications can be submitted from: 1 July

General Requirements

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Introduction

Pro Helvetia promotes the professional contemporary Swiss art and cultural production (without film) with a view to diversity as well as national and international reach. It supports the creation of new artistic works and productions, the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions, the dissemination of Swiss art and culture outside Switzerland and international cultural exchange. As a national foundation, Pro Helvetia supplements the promotional activities of Swiss cantons and municipalities and only supports projects that are cross-regionally or internationally recognised.

Pro Helvetia will only consider funding applications if they are complete and have been submitted on time.

To be eligible for support, projects must

  • have a clear connection to Switzerland
  • be of nationwide importance
  • be adequately co-funded by other public or private means
  • respects/guarantee fair working conditions

Connection to Switzerland

A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.
  • The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.

Nationwide relevance

Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.
  • The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career.
  • The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination.
  • The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.

Assessment of content and quality

Within the framework of the available funds, Pro Helvetia prioritises projects that most comprehensively meet the funding criteria. The Foundation assesses whether

  • the project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance
  • the project is implemented according to professional standards
  • the costs are commensurate with the expected impact
  • a lasting impact can be expected

Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects:

  • The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.
  • Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.

Restrictions

Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if

  • the same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
  • the project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.)
  • funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections
  • the project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia
  • the project requires travel to regions for which the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advises against travel at the time of application.»

Status: September 2025