--- title: "Game developers apply for Games Lift Incubator Hamburg; Five teams receive €15,000 each" sdDatePublished: "2026-04-27T17:04:00Z" source: "https://kreativgesellschaft.org/en/press/pressemitteilungen/games-lift-incubator-2026-application-start/" topics: - name: "computer and telecommunications hardware" identifier: "medtop:20000226" - name: "software and applications" identifier: "medtop:20000231" - name: "business enterprise" identifier: "medtop:20000349" - name: "business service" identifier: "medtop:20001371" locations: - "Hamburg" --- Game developers apply for Games Lift Incubator Hamburg; Five teams receive €15,000 each Games Lift Incubator Application Start 2026 | Gamecity Hamburg Games Lift Incubator Application Start 2026 Applications for the Games Lift Incubator are now open: Game developers can apply until June 1 Five teams will receive financial support of 15,000 euros The established incubator program provides support through industry-specific expert knowledge and valuable contacts The application period runs from April 27, 2026, to June 1, 2026 Hamburg, April 27, 2026: Since 2020, Gamecity Hamburg as part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft has been supporting studios and developers in the Games Lift Incubator with financial support of 15,000 euros, a comprehensive workshop program, and individual mentoring tailored to the teams. Developers, teams, and studios can apply from April 27 to June 1, 2026, onwww.gamecity-hamburg.de Gamecity Hamburg has already supported 30 startups and developers in the development of video games through six funding rounds in the Games Lift Incubator. Graduates of the program have won multiple awards, secured follow-up funding and publishing deals, and have already had success with several releases. Games Lift alumni Curvature Games recently released their narrative VR adventure “The Amusement” in collaboration with publisher ARTE France. Kranich Games took home the award for Best Game at the Baltic Games Fest 2026 with “Garden Ink” and are also nominated for Best Prototype at the German Computer Game Awards 2026. Team Honeybeak won the Audience Award at the Baltic Games Fest for “ForeFeathers,” and BookWood Games received a Devcom Award in 2025 for “About Cannons & Sparrows.” Many of the games developed in the Games Lift Incubator are in an advanced stage, with further releases scheduled for this year. “In the Games Lift Incubator, we put a lot of things to the test. Through tailored workshops and individual mentoring, we create a foundation that allows teams to develop their projects further. The releases and successes of previous years impressively demonstrate the quality of this work—and we look forward to supporting the next teams and developers in our Íncubator with their projects,” Helen Krüger, Project Manager at Gamecity Hamburg. Features of the Games Lift Program Indie developers accepted into the incubator can expect one year of support in the form of knowledge transfer, access to resources, and a strong network. 15,000 euros in financial support An additional coaching budget of 1,000 euros A comprehensive workshop program tailored to the needs of indie developers Individual mentoring from experienced industry professionals Spaces for networking and collaboration A joint trip to an international industry event Access to a broad network of experts and connections to relevant contacts Playtesting sessions and other internal and public events The awarding committee responsible for selecting the participating teams consists of industry experts: Kristin von der Wense (Publishing Producer at Daedalic Entertainment), Ole Schaper (Gaming Industry Executive & Founder of Kyna Games), Tobias Graff (CEO and Co-Founder of Mooneye Studios), Heiko Gogolin (Media Specialist), and Margarete Schneider (Project Manager at Gamecity Hamburg). Since 2024, Gamecity Hamburg has included a mandatory diversity checklist in its application process, inviting applicants to reflect on their own structures when developing their projects. "Games Lift Insights" info event on May 12 with Cassia Curran The online event “Games Lift Insights” on May 12 at 3 pm offers a first glimpse into what participating teams can expect from the incubator’s workshop program. Cassia Curran, a strategy and business development consultant for indie games, will provide an introduction to market analysis for indie games. In addition, the Gamecity team will share information about Games Lift and the application process. For more information and to register for the event:https: For all further information about the Games Lift Incubator, visit:www.gamecity-hamburg.de Photos for editorial usePhotos 1–2: Gamecity HamburgPhoto 3: Oliver ReetzGraphic: Gamecity Hamburg Press Release Games Lift Application 2026 Games Lift Application Key Art Games Lift Application Start 2026 Photo 1 Games Lift Application Start 2026 Photo 2 Games Lift Application Start 2026 Photo 3 (Oliver Reetz)