What SpielFabrique does

SpielFabrique 360° UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is a Düsseldorf-headquartered, founder-led video game ecosystem catalyst operating since 2016, with origins in a 2015 Franco-German initiative created by Media Deals at the French Embassy. It runs a portfolio of accelerator and co-production programs serving early-stage and scale-up indie game studios across Europe, Africa, and select South American and Canadian markets. Its core programs are EVA (European Videogame Accelerator, tiered €300-€600 enrollment fees), MATCH (annual co-production mentoring program, free for partner-country studios), BRIDGE (Africa-Europe collaboration), XIP (2026 cross-media IP program across Berlinale, Annecy, and Gamescom Dev), Gamescom Clinic, Kino Games, LMPG, INDIE PLAZA, and the annual European Game Night showcase.

Technically, SpielFabrique is not a software product company; its principal platform asset is Slyce (slyce.pro / my.spielfabrique.eu), a proprietary ecosystem platform for program applications, cohort management, and studio connections. Programs are delivered via a mix of online (Zoom, Discord, MeetToMatch), in-person mentoring at flagship European industry events (Gamescom, Paris Games Week, Berlinale, Annecy, Africa Games Week), and pitch sessions. The organization is run by a small team (≤10 employees) led by co-founders Odile Limpach and Thierry Baujard, alongside program managers covering acceleration, cross-continental projects, operations, and communications.

The business model is a hybrid of program fee income (small, tiered amounts from cohort participants), cross-media consulting and advisory engagements with public institutions and funds (CNC, OFAJ-DFJW, Prohelvetia, Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, ICEX/Spain, EU Commission), and grant-funded program delivery via partnerships with national and European public funders. Pricing is publicly disclosed only for EVA and XIP; MATCH and BRIDGE are free for partner-country studios. Distribution and demand generation are community-led, relying on an active Discord server, organic social channels, industry event presence, and an open-application process on the Slyce platform.

Name

SpielFabrique

Legal name

SpielFabrique 360° UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://spielfabrique.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SpielFabrique is a Düsseldorf-based (Germany) video game ecosystem catalyst founded in 2016 that runs pan-European acceleration and co-production programs (EVA, MATCH, BRIDGE, XIP, European Game Night) serving indie game studios across Europe, Africa, and select partner countries, funded by public-sector grants and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indie Video Game Accelerator Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational PM & Delivery Methods (Waterfall/Agile/Hybrid) (EDABAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

On-Site Mentoring, Supervision & Program Management Services (EDAIAFAM)

Keywords

• Indie game acceleration
• Video game mentoring
• Studio co-production matching
• Cross-media IP development
• Game industry consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Acceleration Program Enrollment Fees: EVA acceleration program charges tiered enrollment fees per phase (€300 for Phase 1, €450 for Phase 2, €600 for Phase 3). XIP charges €1,000 tuition for selected participants. MATCH and BRIDGE programs are free for studios from official partner countries, funded by country partners and public funds.
2. Cross-Media Consulting and Advisory: SpielFabrique advises institutions, funds, and studios to develop their international markets. Revenue likely derives from consulting engagements with public and private sector clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SpielFabrique runs international mentoring and acceleration programs for indie video game studios, complemented by consulting and advisory services for public institutions, funds, and studios. Its portfolio includes tier-fee acceleration programs (EVA, XIP), free co-production matching and mentoring programs (MATCH, BRIDGE), regional programs (Gamescom Clinic, Kino Games, INDIE PLAZA), and flagship industry events (European Game Night, LMPG workshops). The Slyce platform supports program applications and ecosystem management.

Product overview

SpielFabrique operates as a video game ecosystem catalyst offering a comprehensive suite of programs designed to support indie game studios at various stages of growth. The core platform is Slyce.pro, which serves as the central hub for program applications and ecosystem management. The portfolio includes EVA (European Videogame Accelerator) for pan-European acceleration, MATCH for coproduction facilitation, BRIDGE for African-European collaboration, XIP for cross-media IP development bridging games with film/TV/animation, Gamescom Clinic for German studios, Kino Games for cinema-gaming crossover, European Game Night as a flagship networking event, and LMPG for music-gaming sector collaboration. Together, these programs form a holistic ecosystem addressing mentoring, funding preparation, international expansion, and cross-border collaboration for indie developers across Europe, Africa, and partner countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EVA (European Videogame Accelerator): Annual pan-European acceleration program supporting indie game studios with mentorship and business development (March-November)
• MATCH
• BRIDGE
• XIP
• European Game Night
• Let The Music Play Games (LMPG)
• Gamescom Clinic
• INDIE PLAZA
• Kino Games
• Slyce

Products and services

• Slyce ecosystem platform Ecosystem platform powered by SpielFabrique that serves as the central hub for managing applications, programs, and studio connections across SpielFabrique's various initiatives.
• EVA (European Videogame Accelerator) Pan-European acceleration program running March-November with up to 9 months of gatherings, networking, 1-on-1 mentoring, and tailored business development for established indie studios with growth ambitions. Tiered fees of €300, €450, and €600 across three phases with selection gates between each.
• MATCH Yearly co-production program started in 2018 that supports studios in developing co-production projects, matching them with compatible indie studios, and providing workshops and expertise in the field of international game development. Free for studios from official partner countries, funded by country partners and public funds.
• BRIDGE Program designed to encourage collaboration and co-development between African and European studios, providing opportunities for African studios to engage in online professionalization activities and find potential European partners. Has supported 15+ African studios since 2019 and showcases results at Africa Games Week and Games Ground Berlin.
• XIP (EFM-MIFA Cross-IP Acceleration Program) International program bridging video games, film, TV, and animation industries, with participants attending mentoring, workshops, pitching sessions, and networking at Berlinale, Annecy, and Gamescom Dev events. Program tuition is €1,000 for selected participants and includes accreditations for EFM, MIFA, and Gamescom Dev.
• Gamescom Clinic Free program helping video game studios from NRW, Germany prepare for Gamescom through partnership with Film und Medien Stiftung NRW.
• Kino Games Program bridging cinema and gaming worlds, transforming theaters across Europe into vibrant hubs for immersive gaming events, attracting new audiences and maximizing venue potential.
• European Game Night Exclusive indie game showcase and networking event that kicks off Gamescom, now in its seventh consecutive year (2026), bringing together industry leaders from across Europe and featuring a pitch contest and Franco-German Prize.
• Let The Music Play Games (LMPG) European Commission co-funded capacity building programme connecting mid-level professionals from the music and video game sectors to learn, collaborate, and create new synergies across industries. Led by Polo Digital (Music Innovation Hub) with partners including Centre National de la Musique (France), MICA (Austria), Music Finland, and SpielFabrique (Germany).
• INDIE PLAZA Program platform dedicated to indie game studios, now accessible via external platform at indie-plaza.eu.
• Cross-Media Consulting and Advisory Advisory service through which SpielFabrique advises institutions, funds, and studios on developing their international markets. Engaged by national film/media funds and government-backed gaming bodies such as OFAJ-DFJW, Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, ICEX, and CNC.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120+ indie game studios supported since 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Floodlight Gaming (OCCRP and Gabo Foundation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFloodlight Gaming is an initiative of OCCRP and the Gabo Foundation in partnership with Anima Interactive, organized to help media outlets engage new audiences through interactive games derived from published reporting. SpielFabrique participated as part of Floodlight Gaming's game jam, offering placement in its Launchpad Program to winning developers.
• XsollacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerXsolla supported the release of the 'State of the African Video Game Industry 2026' report produced by SpielFabrique, supported also by Goethe Institute. Xsolla also supports the BRIDGE program and Africa Games Week workshops.
• Bright GambitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBright Gambit is a key BRIDGE program partner, helping craft engaging webinars and offering a €10,000 prototype funding grant to selected African-European co-production teams. The grant winner was Vodou by Juju Games and Draw Distance.
• Media DealscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpielFabrique stems from a Franco-German video game initiative created in April 2015 by Media Deals at the French Embassy during International Games Week Berlin. Co-founder Thierry Baujard is the founder of the pan-European network Media Deals.
• OFAJ-DFJW (French-German Youth Office)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOFAJ-DFJW co-sponsors the Franco-German Prize at European Game Night, now celebrating its tenth year, with a €1,000 prize for young developers contributing to Franco-German relations. OFAJ also co-supports the EVA program.
• Patch-JyrosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatch-Jyros is listed as a partner organization on SpielFabrique's website. Jyros is a video game cluster/network.
• REAVES (Interreg Baltic Sea Region)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAVES is an Interreg Baltic Sea Region project listed as a partner. SpielFabrique participates in cross-border European collaboration projects.
• Business FranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness France is an organizer of European Game Night, providing French export support and helping connect French studios to the European gaming ecosystem.
• Polo Digital / Music Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolo Digital (Music Innovation Hub) leads the LMPG consortium co-funded by the European Commission, alongside Centre National de la Musique (France), MICA (Austria), Music Finland, and SpielFabrique (Germany). The program bridges music and video game industries.
• European Film Market (EFM) / BerlinaleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFM is a core partner of the XIP cross-IP acceleration program. XIP runs across Berlinale (February 2026), Annecy MIFA (June 2026), and Gamescom Dev (August 2026), bridging video games, film, TV, and animation industries.
• MIFA (Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIFA is a core partner of the XIP program alongside EFM and Gamescom Dev, providing accredited passes and exclusive networking events for 20 selected video game and audiovisual studios.
• Gamescom DevflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGamescom Dev is an associate partner of the XIP program and hosts one of three cross-IP workshops. SpielFabrique also has a dedicated booth at Gamescom and organizes European Game Night at the event.
• Makers FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMakers Factory is a BRIDGE program in-partnership organization supporting African game studios.
• Africa Games WeekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica Games Week is Africa's largest gaming festival (November, Abidjan) where BRIDGE program results are showcased. SpielFabrique organized workshops at Africa Games Week 2023.
• ARTE FrancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerARTE is a key supporter of the MATCH co-production program and a publisher for games in SpielFabrique's portfolio (Vectronom, Homo Machina).
• Image Campus (Argentina)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImage Campus is an official country partner of the MATCH program, enabling studios in Argentina to participate in the European co-production market.
• SPCine (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPCine is an official country partner of the MATCH program, enabling Brazilian studios to participate in European co-production matchmaking.
• Ontario Creates (Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario Creates is an official country partner of the MATCH program, facilitating Canadian (Ontario) studio participation in European co-production.
• Creative BC (British Columbia, Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative BC is an official country partner of the MATCH program, facilitating British Columbia studios' participation in European co-production.
• Spelkollektivet (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpelkollektivet is an EVA program partner that hosts the business retreat for selected studios in October at their facility in Sweden.
• KickstarterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKickstarter is an expert partner of the EVA program, providing guidance on crowdfunding strategies for indie game studios.
• WBS LegalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWBS Legal is an expert partner of the EVA program, providing legal and business expertise for indie game studios.
• Dutch Games AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trust partner of European Game Night, representing Dutch game studios in the European ecosystem.
• Gaming MaltaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trust partner of European Game Night, representing Malta's gaming ecosystem.
• Institut Français DeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trust partner of European Game Night, supporting Franco-German cultural exchange in gaming.
• Madrid In GameminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trust partner of European Game Night, representing Madrid's gaming ecosystem.
• Köln BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trust partner of European Game Night, supporting the event hosted in Köln.
• Games for Change AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGames for Change Africa is listed as a BRIDGE program partner, supporting African game development and cross-continental collaboration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Nordic Game: Nordic regional games industry event and community organization. Comparable to SpielFabrique's European Game Night and MATCH co-production events as a flagship industry gathering that brings together indie studios, publishers, and investors, with overlap in target audience (European indie developers).
• Games Bavaria: Bavaria-based games industry network and cluster organization. SpielFabrique is itself based in Germany (Düsseldorf) and partners with Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, making Games Bavaria a regional industry peer operating within the same national ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Kowloon Nights: Netherlands-based financing partner for indie game developers worldwide. Comparable to SpielFabrique as part of the European indie games funding ecosystem, with a complementary role (direct financing) versus SpielFabrique's mentor-led acceleration approach.

Direct peers

• Games London: UK games industry support program providing acceleration, mentorship, and market access for London-based game studios. Overlaps with SpielFabrique's MATCH and EVA programs in delivering business development and international market access to indie developers.
• Dutch Game Garden: Dutch games industry incubator in Utrecht that supports indie studios with mentoring, office space, and connections to publishers. Comparable to SpielFabrique's pan-European acceleration model, particularly in the Benelux region that SpielFabrique's MATCH program covers.
• Stugan: Swedish two-month summer accelerator for early-stage indie game studios. Closely comparable to SpielFabrique's EVA program in mission (mentorship, business development) and target audience (early-stage indie developers), making it the most direct peer in Northern Europe.
• GameBCN / Barcelona Game World: Barcelona-based gaming industry cluster and support organization for indie game studios. Directly comparable to SpielFabrique's role as a regional ecosystem catalyst providing acceleration, networking, and connections to publishers and investors.
• GameBCamp: Italian game industry incubator and accelerator supporting indie studios and game entrepreneurs. Mirrors SpielFabrique's combination of mentoring, networking, and pitch preparation, with a comparable small-team, public-funding-supported model.

Others

• Indie Fund: US-based collective that provides funding directly to indie game developers. Comparable to SpielFabrique's role within the indie game support ecosystem, though operating under a grant/funding model rather than acceleration; serves a similar alumni of studios that SpielFabrique supports in Europe.

Broad incumbents

• Raw Fury: Established Stockholm-based indie game publisher working with many of the same indie studios that SpielFabrique's programs accelerate. Relevant as a downstream commercialization channel for SpielFabrique alumni and a benchmark for what 'graduated' indie studios become.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SpielFabrique
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiTPY4U50cIZgQSVsiKFfWw
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpielFabrique
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spielfabrique
• Instagraminstagram.com/spielfabrique

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SpielFabrique