Ten game makers named for the Wings Elevate 2023 accelerator program | Pocket Gamer.biz

Mobile Games, Other

Diversity Investment Fund Announces Participants for Mobile Game Accelerator

The Wings diversity investment fund has unveiled the ten mobile game developers selected for its 2023 Elevate mobile game accelerator program. Sponsored by Netflix and delivered by Code Coven, this initiative aims to support and promote gender diversity in the mobile gaming industry. The selected teams come from various territories, including emerging mobile game markets like Brazil, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

Meet the Studios

  • Niku Games
  • PlusPlus
  • SkyReach Studio
  • Glowfrog Games
  • Mellowminx
  • Studio Tilia
  • Team Gramps
  • Queensguard
  • Spider Lily Studios
  • Tiny Fury Games

The Importance of Inclusivity

During the program, the selected teams will receive valuable support, including development guidance, mentorship, business fundamentals, coaching for investor and publisher pitching, industry connections, and community support. In addition, they will be granted $10,000 in milestone-based financial stipends.

Wings COO Eliana Oikawa expressed excitement about the final cohort, stating, “We received an incredible number of high-quality applications for this year’s WINGS ELEVATE, and we are happy to now announce the final cohort. We are very excited to work with such diverse and talented teams coming from all around the world and are proud to support their journey to success in the mobile game market.”

The launch of this accelerator program aligns with the ongoing industry-wide efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the mobile gaming space. Historically, gaming has been dominated by heterosexual and cisgendered men. However, recent years have seen a rise in game developers amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, leading to not only more inclusive companies but also more diverse games.

Code Coven interim CEO Cinzia Musio expressed pride in the diverse teams joining the program, saying, “I’m thrilled to announce the 10 teams we are supporting with WINGS Elevate and cannot wait to bring them onboard and deliver this program. We’re really proud of the diversity of the teams we are bringing on board, and cannot wait to see their great games grow during the program.”

For more gaming news, check out our list of the top 50 mobile game makers of 2022.