Dare+ Business Startup Masterclass Launches

July 16, 2012 - Supported by Creative Scotland, Dare+ will give teams and individuals the skills they need to start a business through practical sessions on business planning, prototyping, intellectual property law, engaging with their audience and pitching for investment.

The project is running alongside the globally popular Dare to be Digital game design competition for students, as a further step in Abertay University’s work to educate the next generation of computer games business professionals.

Applications were received from right across the UK and as far afield as Denmark.

Scottish Government Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is known the world over as a creative and innovative nation. Our computer games industry is a global success – supporting around 1,500 jobs and contributing £30 million to Scotland's economy.

“Abertay University is at the forefront of innovative work to support talent and skills development, jobs and economic growth in this cutting edge sector. The Dare+ masterclass will strengthen this important work, equipping start-up businesses with the knowledge and skills to thrive.

"The Scottish Government is doing everything in its power to strengthen growth in the creative economy, and we welcome the UK Government's response to our calls for tax relief for the games industry."

Morgan Petrie, Technology and Digital Media Portfolio Manager for Creative Scotland, said: “Creative Scotland is delighted to be working with Abertay University on Dare+. The computer games industry is exciting, innovative and has huge growth potential, and work to set up new businesses is crucial to our future creative and economic prosperity.

“2012 is the Year of Creative Scotland and we’re showcasing all of Scotland’s amazing creative industries. Through Dare+ we’re looking to launch more new computer games companies, and add to our already successful games industry.”

The residential masterclass is being run by games industry expert Brian McNicoll, who founded the BAFTA-award winning Dynamo Games back in 2004.

Brian said: “Dare to be Digital has always been a fantastic way of launching new games professionals into the industry, and now with the support of Creative Scotland the Dare+ masterclass is taking that idea a step further – and preparing creative people to launch new businesses.

“We’ll be looking at the hurdles and hassles of starting a company, finding a market, raising investment and protecting their business ideas. The aim is to launch several new companies through Dare+ and help them become commercial successes.”

All participants will also be encouraged to apply for Abertay Prototype Fund grants, helping them take the risk out of starting a new business.

Other new and young computer games and digital media companies can apply for up to £25,000 from the Prototype Fund at http://prototypefund.abertay.ac.uk/

Dare+ is completely free for participants, with accommodation provided by Creative Scotland and Abertay University.

The one-month business masterclass runs from Monday 16 July to Sunday 12 August, finishing with the Dare ProtoPlay computer games festival in Dundee’s Caird Hall and City Square on Friday 10th to Sunday 12th August. http://www.dareprotoplay.com/


ABOUT THE YEAR OF CREATIVE SCOTLAND

The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and spotlights and celebrates Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative

The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL. More information and resources to help businesses and organisations engage with Year of Creative Scotland are available at www.visitscotland.org/yearofcreativescotland-toolkit

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